Wizards: Checking in on Kelly Oubre in Phoenix

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Checking on our old friend Kelly Oubre since getting traded from Washington to Phoenix.

After a messy first try, the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards were able to hammer out a deal that brought Trevor Ariza to D.C. In return, the Suns got Austin Rivers, which no one really lost sleep over, and Kelly Oubre.

Since Trevor Ariza immediately fit in with Washington, the loss of Oubre hasn’t been overwhelming. At the same time, he was as solid a dude as you’ll find in the NBA, and he was one of the few that actually enjoyed playing defense. That said, it’s not shocking that Oubre got a “rousing ovation” when his new team came to Capital One Arena just days after the trade was completed.

That was three weeks ago, though, and when it happened, it was only Oubre’s second game with Phoenix. So not that some time has passed and there’s a real sample size to look at, I dialed up Kelly Oubre on Basketball Reference to see how he’s performed since moving to the desert.

Kelly Oubre Washington-Phoenix Comparison | 2018-19

Oubre with Washington (29 games)

  • MPG: 26.0
  • PPG: 12.9
  • RPG: 4.4
  • APG: 0.7
  • SPG: 0.9
  • FG%: 43.3
  • 3FG%: 31.1
  • PIE: 8.6*

Oubre with Phoenix (12 games)

  • MPG: 25.3
  • PPG: 12.1
  • RPG: 2.9
  • APG: 1.1
  • SPG: 0.8
  • FG%: 44.1
  • 3FG%: 34.0
  • PIE: 7.3*

*PIE = Player Impact Estimate

When you look at the two sets of data side by side, it’s incredible how even they are. Even if you nitpick and break it down, it’s only 5-to-3 in favor of his time with Washington.

The one thing that’s clear about Oubre’s current situation is that the playoffs are not in the picture this year. Phoenix is 10-33 right now with few wins on the horizon. Having said that, they are eyeing a top-line pick in next year’s NBA Draft. If the Suns are doing a trust-the-process deal and waiting to really compete, next year could be their target.

It should be noted that ESPN’s 2019 NBA Mock Draft has Phoenix getting the No. 2 pick next year.

Right now, they’ve got two stars in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, as well as the aforementioned lottery pick next year. Getting Oubre was a strategic move by the Suns to build their core of young role players; they got an above average defender that’s willing to do some of the dirty work and also fits the vibe they’ve got going for them. It’s hard to say how close they are. At the same time, I think it’s easy to say that Oubre is in their future plans.

Featured Image: Keith Allison

CATEGORY: NBA