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Washington Wizards NBA Draft 2015 Reactions: Biggest Surprise, Biggest Steal, More

By Ben Mehic

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Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

John: Honestly, until ESPN announced that the Wizards traded for Oubre Jr, I didn’t pay him much attention in the draft camps leading up to the actual drafts.

I remember watching Kansas play during their conference tournament and the NCAA tournament and noticing that he would eventually be a good player.

I actually didn’t even think he would declare for the league because of his up and down freshmen year under Bill Self.

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However, after watching clips of him on YouTube and reading about him some, he looks like he could eventually be a Trevor Ariza-like type 3-and-D player in the league and as much as small ball in is vogue, 3-and-D players will always have a spot on NBA rosters.

He is young and I heard that sometimes his motivation is lacking, but with Wall and Beal (and Otto), I think he will see that hard work pays off and will benefit from the chemistry of the team. If his outfit and sound bits after the draft are any indication on his personality, he will be surrounded by the media after games looking for some quality quotes that they can use. Definitely has a Nick ‘Swaggy P’ Young type attitude to him…which can be a good or bad thing.

As for Aaron White…..I heard that Kevin Durant knows him. Could mean something, right?

David: It took Kelly Oubre a little while to settle down at Kansas, but once he did, he showed everybody just why he was so highly regarded. Oubre has real upside as a 3-and-D wing, and his athleticism and length means he could eventually become something more.

Of course, he needs time to develop, and we’ll have to hope that the Washington Wizards will be able to develop him properly – Jan Vesely had upside too. Personally, I love the pick, but I can understand why some would rather have had the Wizards someone who is more of a finished product.

In the meantime, don’t sleep on Aaron White, a versatile scorer and underrated athlete. White fits a need – stretch 4 – and the kid knows how to get buckets from just about anywhere on the court. He’s the perfect kind of collegiate draft-and-stash, someone who can come back in on a cheap contract next year when the Wizards will be dishing out more salary to Bradley Beal and (Hopefully? Maybe?) other big names, and contribute.

I came out of this draft with a very happy feeling. It’s the Wizards, so we’ll probably find out tomorrow that Kelly Oubre has bird flu or something.

Oz: Overall this was a very solid draft for the Washington Wizards. Hopefully Kelly Oubre can contribute right away, but even if he doesn’t he has the chance to have a huge impact on this roster down the road.

His versatility, defense, and shooting in an era of position-less small-ball is invaluable. If he can learn to create his own offense he can become a star. This team also needed a shot in the arm athletically.

The Washington Wizards very quickly have become an old team and lacked athleticism. Kelly Oubre and even Aaron White give the Wizards an infusion there which is important even if the results don’t show up on Day 1.

Next: Wizards Confident Oubre Will Flourish In DC

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