Kelly Oubre Jr.
Age: 21
Contract: Signed a rookie scale, three-year, $6 million contract in 2015. Team options in 2017 and 2018. Average $2 million a year.
2016-17 Relevant Stats: 6.3 PTS, 3.9 REB, 6.4 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK
The Washington Wizards are a good basketball team again! Once a 6-12 team destined for another trip to the lottery, John Wall and his supporting cast of Bradley Beal and Otto Porter have led the Wizards back to playoff basketball. Great, now what?
Are the top heavy Wizards going to hold up the likes of Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and even Atlanta in the playoffs? Probably not. Not with their current bench at least.
The Wizards have the second lowest scoring bench in the NBA, only trailing the 19-29 Minnesota Timberwolves. This is a problem. I’m not even sure you could point to a definitive sixth man off the bench for Washington.
While all starters are averaging at least 10 points a game, no one off the bench is averaging more than 7 points. That probably has something to do with the fact that none of the bench players are averaging more than 20 minutes per game. Again, this team is top heavy.
Related Story: Trade targets at shooting guard
Arguably their weakest spot on the roster is their depth at both guard positions. Outside of Wall and Beal, the Wizards can’t seem to get any meaningful minutes out of their backup guards. Finding a guard that can create his own shot and get up points in a hurry while Washington’s star guards get a rest should be a priority for the Wizards at the deadline.
One guy that fits that bill is Sweet Lou Williams. If I haven’t said this to the point of exhaustion again, allow me to say it again: Lou Williams is a one-man bench mob.
Williams is the only player in the NBA averaging more than 15 points in less than 25 minutes of playing time per game. When he’s hot, he’s as good as any guard in the NBA starting or not.
If they wanted him, they would have to give up a few fringe rotation players and a pick. If not a pick, then a young player. In this case, we’re hoping it’s Kelly Oubre Jr.
Nothing about Oubre’s stats will get fans too excited, nor will his upside–yet. Oubre is the type of player the Lakers can give meaningful reps to in a lost season to see what the kid can do. The results could be fantastic.
To make salaries work, the Lakers could send Lou and Marcelo Huertas in exchange for Oubre, Trey Burke and a filler. Burke is another player worth testing out if he can stay healthy.
By in large, this trade won’t make the Lakers contenders over night, but it will give them a chance to look at young players on cheap contracts up close. If it doesn’t work out, they’re paying them virtually nothing.
Next: Zubac turning the corner
But what do you guys think? Do the Lakers need to trade for a wing with Deng and Ingram on the roster? Is there anyone you have been keeping your eye on? Let us know in the comments below!