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Phoenix Suns: 5 Options In The 2015 NBA Draft At No. 13

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) celebrates after making a basket against the Oregon Ducks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) celebrates after making a basket against the Oregon Ducks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Jan 19, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks with guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) in a timeout during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 85-78. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kelly Oubre

You could make a very strong argument for Sam Dekker or Trey Lyles here, but what can I say? I like Kelly Oubre‘s upside and newfound fire to prove everyone wrong more than I do Dekker’s NBA-readiness or the question marks surrounding what Lyles has to offer at the next level.

A 6’7″ small forward with an awe-inspiring 7’3″ wingspan, Oubre has the physical tools and talent to excel at the next level. His shot release is a little unorthodox, but it’s effective. His ability to penetrate and utilize his athleticism to finish at the rim makes him a tantalizing prospect as well.

Oubre can improve on his 35.8 percent shooting from three-point range, and he’ll need to continue to show progress on the defensive end as he did near the tail-end of his freshman season at Kansas. But this 19-year-old could be molded into something special if he’s given the chance, and he’ll most likely still be on the board at No. 13.

To be fair, drafting yet another small forward who needs minutes to develop on a team that already has Brandon Knight, T.J. Warren, P.J. Tucker, Archie Goodwin, Marcus Morris AND Danny Granger logging time at the 2-3 spots probably wouldn’t sit well with a lot of fans.

But if McDonough believes Oubre is the best player available at No. 13 — and it’s not out of the question that he will be — a little positional overlap is just something the Suns will have to deal with. After all, with the way the roster’s currently constructed, this season probably won’t lead to the playoffs anyway.

Next: No. 4

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