Warriors trade: Thunder get protected 2021 1st round pick for Kelly Oubre Jr.

The trade is now official.

The Golden State Warriors are sending a protected 2021 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Kelly Oubre Jr. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski; the Dubs will only send the first-round selection to the Thunder if the pick falls between Nos. 21 and 30.

If Golden State’s pick is in the top 20, it will keep the selection and send two second-rounders to Oklahoma City.

This is an excellent trade for general manager Bob Myers are the organization. The Warriors have been reeling since Klay Thompson suffered an Achilles injury to his right leg and will miss the entirety of the 2020-21 NBA season. Oubre’s $14.4 million salary falls within the $17.2 million trade exception the Dubs got from the deal that saw Andre Iguodala go to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Oubre, 24, averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc. At 6’7 with a 7’3 wingspan, Oubre has the versatility to guard multiple positions, which should help with the loss of Thompson’s defensive capabilities.

The good news is that Golden State can keep the 2021 top-three-protected pick it received from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the D’Angelo Russell trade last season.

Next up for Myers is free agency, which begins Friday at 3 p.m. PT. The Warriors have a $9.3 million injury exception due to Thompson’s injury and can also offer free agents their $5.7 million mid-level exception.

There’s no replacing what Thompson brings to the team, but Oubre can help offset the loss of the five-time All-Star.

What do you think of the deal Myers made to get Oubre?