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5 Goals for Washington Wizards Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. in 2017-18

By Frank J. Platko

WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 10: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 10: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 4: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards cheers on his teammates during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 4, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 4: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards cheers on his teammates during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 4, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Cement himself as the Wizards 6th man 

If Oubre can achieve this feat, it will go a long way in helping the Wizards come playoff time. The Wizards have long lacked a true 6th man, the likes of Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford. The most productive bench player they’ve had in recent memory was Bojan Bogdanovic, who they acquired for just half a season

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The reason they traded for him was because they were getting little production from their reserves, including Oubre. If Oubre could provide 23-25 productive minutes of solid scoring, defense, and energy off the bench, that would largely solve the Wizards biggest problem.

Obviously, he’s not the scorer that Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford are. But being a productive 6th man is more than just pouring in points. Oubre is the most talented reserve the Wizards have, and he could easily become the leader of the 2nd unit. 

The Wizards bench was bad last season. With a healthy Ian Mahinmi, and the acquisitions of Tim Frazier and Jodie Meeks, it should be more productive. But ultimately Oubre needs to be the clear alpha dog.

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