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With the 14th pick in this mock NBA draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Kelly Oubre from the University of Kansas.
From Welcome to Loud City: The Thunder aren't a team looking for a star. But OKC lacks depth at the wing positions. Nobody's confident in Dion Waiters, Andre Roberson is limited offensively, and Anthony Morrow is limited defensively. Anybody who could step in and provide a bit of help as a two-way player would be welcomed in OKC. Kelly Oubre seems to be the ideal choice, given that criteria. Oubre has serious length, a keen sense for the ball defensively, and the ability to score in transition. All three of those traits might as well be the epitome of what the Thunder look for in their players. Plus, with Oubre, offense won't be a problem. Oubre has a very smooth and high release on his shot. And when Oubre can get some momentum going towards the rim, he's a solid dunker as well.
The thing I like most about Oubre is that all of his scores seem to come off of passes. With Durant and Westbrook dominating the ball in OKC, there isn't much room for another ball-dominant player. If Oubre can continue to refine his catch and shoot game, as well as his shot off one dribble, he should be the perfect offensive asset. The only thing that scares me about Oubre is his supposed lack of effort. Funnily enough, that's the reason Oubre seems to be such a popular pick among Thunder fans. It's assumed that the Thunder's culture can make Oubre into a more responsible individual. Whether that happens is anyone's guess, but Oubre's physical tools and highlight reels show us glimpses of what could be.
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Kevin: Oubre was touted as the man to replace Andrew Wiggins at Kansas and boy did he not even remotely live up to that hype. I hate to say it, but this is another first round reach for Sam Presti and the Thunder. Will he be better than guys in front of him like Dion Waiters, Andre Roberson and Perry Jones? I honestly don’t think so. I just never saw it in Oubre this year. I had high hopes for him, but Billy Donovan has a project on his hands.
Lucas: The Thunder needed to address their lack of wing depth, and hope to do so with Oubre. However, Oubre is a bit of an interesting selection when considering that Virginia Wing Justin Anderson was still on the board, and is older and likely more suited to help the Thunder renew their immediate quest for a title next season. However, Oubre has more upside than Anderson, as he is just 19 years old, and at 6’7", and possessing a 7’2" wingspan, he has the size and frame to potentially become an elite NBA wing.
Oubre was a bit of a disappointment at Kansas, as he only averaged 9.3 points and five rebounds per game last season, and only averaged 21.1 minutes per game, and found himself in Bill Self’s doghouse for a lack of effort. Still, Oubre has a solid shooting mechanics and a nice stroke, and is more athletic than he is given credit for. Still, with the free agency of Kevin Durant looming in 2016, I would have rather seen the Thunder try to move up the draft to snag a player that is more of a "finished product" than Oubre who could help them make another Finals run. However, Oubre has the potential to become a good three point shooter and a great defender, and the gamble may end up paying off down the road.