Atlanta Hawks: 12 Potential Targets in Free Agency

Kelly Oubre

Technically, the Atlanta Hawks drafted Kelly Oubre with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. However, his Hawks tenure was fated to be immediately cut short, as he was traded to the Washington Wizards on draft night in a three-team deal that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Knicks.

Though Hardaway played well in roughly two seasons with the Hawks, it would’ve probably been preferable to hold on to a cost-controlled young asset in Oubre, who also happens to be one of the best-looking players in the NBA (not that that matters, just stating a fact).

This season, Oubre was part of the hilariously botched three-team deal between the Suns, Wizards and Grizzlies that was nixed due to the wrong Brooks being involved (Marshon Brooks versus Dillon Brooks). Instead, Oubre was later sent to the Suns in exchange for Trevor Ariza – an odd win-now move that was one of the nigh-infinite reasons why Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld was let go recently.

Still though, Oubre picked up his play considerably in Phoenix and heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent coming off the best season of his career. Oubre’s energy was always fairly pugnacious and frenetic as a bench sparkplug for the Wiz, but he seemed to kick into high gear in Phoenix.

Oubre put up career-highs this season with the Wiz and Suns of points per game (15.2), rebounds per game (4.7), assists per game (1.2) and blocks per game (0.9) – good timing as he heads into restricted free agency. Though he’ll likely garner a sizable contract due to playing a position of need and putting up solid numbers this season, perhaps the Hawks will be able to convince him to return to the team that drafted him in 2015.