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Hindsight is 20/20: Redoing the 2015 NBA Draft

By Cody Williams

Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) reacts after scoring a three point basket during overtime in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) reacts after scoring a three point basket during overtime in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Sacramento Kings: Kelly Oubre, Jr., SF

Original Pick: Willie Cauley-Stein, C

This can be said of many things that the Sacramento Kings choose to do, but their decision-making in the 2015 NBA Draft was exceptionally curious at the time. Back when DeMarcus Cousins was still in the fold, they took center Willie Cauley-Stein out of Kentucky. Despite the fact that he couldn’t play with Cousins in any effective capacity, they deemed that the right decision. Now that Cousins is gone, the decision looks a bit better. But even still, they’d have been better off with Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre played just 671 minutes in 63 games for the Washington Wizards as a rookie after they selected him with the No. 15 pick. They unleashed him a great deal more in his second year in the league, playing almost 1,000 more minutes. Though he wasn’t otherworldly levels of good, he rewarded the decision as a fantastic role player in the nation’s capital. Oubre averaged 11.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes this past season. His shooting efficiency left something to be desired, but that’s not where the bulk of his value lies.

Even at just 21 years old, Oubre has proven to be a dangerous defender at this level. He has the unique combination of length and athleticism that allows him to lock up a variety of positions, which the Wizards deployed him to do off of the bench this season. With that already developing at a high level in his game, the offensive potential is still there as well. If he keeps on the right track, Oubre could be a threatening two-way player that winds up being a steal as the 15th pick.

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