Trade Grades
Click here for link to Atlanta Hawks Trade Grade
Got: #15 pick (drafted SF Kelly Oubre Jr.)
Gave up: #19 pick (turned into PG/SG Jerian Grant), two future second-rounders
This one made very little sense for the Wizards. Oubre Jr. might’ve been available at #19 anyways, and he’s a long-term prospect that could even be redundant with young SF Otto Porter Jr. Besides, for a team in the thick of a playoff race, trading up for a prospect that will probably need a year in the D-League makes little sense. Even though two future second-rounders are a small price to pay, Washington should’ve either taken PF/C Bobby Portis with their pick, or traded up for a legitimate impact player.
As mentioned, Oubre Jr. is probably a long-term project, as his ability to contribute right away is minimal. However, he is still an excellent defender with solid shooting ability. He’s quick and athletic, which give him the potential he needs to become an excellent slasher, although he will need to improve his lackluster ball-handling skillsfor that. He could need a year in the D-League, which is actually a pretty good measure of his very high upside long-term, considering that Washington was willing to spend the #15 pick on him. He will be competing with Porter, Paul Pierce (if he re-signs) and others for minutes at small forward.
The Wizards could’ve addressed a bigger need (power forward) with a better player immediately with PF/C Bobby Portis, who was still available at #19, all without coughing up any future second-rounders! On the other hand, however, these second-rounders are relatively worthless, and the star-studded backcourt of PG John Wall and SG Bradley Beal is young, so Washington might have some time to wait on Oubre. Still, this roster has plenty of veteran parts, and it’s just a head-scratcher as to why they’d want Oubre over any other guys that could make a more immediate impact if they were going to trade up four slots.
Grade: C+
Click here for link to Atlanta Hawks Trade Grade
Got: #15 pick (drafted SF Kelly Oubre Jr.)
Gave up: #19 pick (turned into PG/SG Jerian Grant), two future second-rounders
This one made very little sense for the Wizards. Oubre Jr. might’ve been available at #19 anyways, and he’s a long-term prospect that could even be redundant with young SF Otto Porter Jr. Besides, for a team in the thick of a playoff race, trading up for a prospect that will probably need a year in the D-League makes little sense. Even though two future second-rounders are a small price to pay, Washington should’ve either taken PF/C Bobby Portis with their pick, or traded up for a legitimate impact player.
As mentioned, Oubre Jr. is probably a long-term project, as his ability to contribute right away is minimal. However, he is still an excellent defender with solid shooting ability. He’s quick and athletic, which give him the potential he needs to become an excellent slasher, although he will need to improve his lackluster ball-handling skillsfor that. He could need a year in the D-League, which is actually a pretty good measure of his very high upside long-term, considering that Washington was willing to spend the #15 pick on him. He will be competing with Porter, Paul Pierce (if he re-signs) and others for minutes at small forward.
The Wizards could’ve addressed a bigger need (power forward) with a better player immediately with PF/C Bobby Portis, who was still available at #19, all without coughing up any future second-rounders! On the other hand, however, these second-rounders are relatively worthless, and the star-studded backcourt of PG John Wall and SG Bradley Beal is young, so Washington might have some time to wait on Oubre. Still, this roster has plenty of veteran parts, and it’s just a head-scratcher as to why they’d want Oubre over any other guys that could make a more immediate impact if they were going to trade up four slots.
Grade: C+