Washington Wizards Draft Preview

The Washington Wizards were rewarded with the 3rd overall pick in this year's NBA draft following yet another terrible season in which they finished with the 2nd worst record in the league.  The Wizards  have made two major trades dating back to last season's trading deadline.  In the first trade the team, eager to no longer be the laughingstock of the league, dealt young knuckleheads Nick Young and Javale Mcgee and received a borderline all-star big man in Nene.  The Wizards were much improved following the trade, which brought the team a much needed veteran presence, and ended the season on a 6 game winning streak.  A few days ago the Wizards further reinvented the team's identity when they shipped out Rashard Lewis and his massive expiring contract for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza.  Okafor is a very intelligent, high character player who, along with Ariza, will provide the Wizards with the defensive ability that the team has sorely lacked.

These trades signal that the Wizards have decided that after spending several years acquiring young talent and attempting to build through the draft, the team needed veteran leadership and is now ready to make a playoff push.  With that in mind, the Wizards pick in this draft will in all likelihood be the team's last high lottery pick in a while, making it crucial that the team draft a quality contributor.

Bradley Beal

The Wizards' most dire need is at shooting guard, which is why most NBA analysts believe that the Wizards should draft Bradley Beal the freshman out of Florida.  Beal is an excellent three point shooter,  making him a prime candidate to fill one of the Wizards' greatest weaknesses which is outside shooting.   Beal's shooting ability would provide point guard John Wall with help offensively and spread the floor for him.  Wall, who the Wizards selected first overall in 2010, possesses elite quickness, is a terror in transition and can get to the basket as well as anyone, however his perimeter shooting is subpar.  Beal would complement Wall extremely well and alleviate the constant defensive pressure that the point guard has been under throughout his tenure in Washington.  In addition to being a lights out shooter, Beal is extremely effective at using a pump fake to get to the rim, where he can finish thanks to his athleticism.  Beal rebounds at an elite level for a guard, and is very solid defensively.  Beal is an all around contributor and is universally considered a humble, high character kid who fits in with the team's newfound identity.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

There are rumors circulating that the Charlotte Bobcats, who have the 2nd pick in the draft, may trade their pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers who hope to acquire Beal and pair him with Kyrie Irving, the reigning rookie of the year.  If this scenario were to unfold, the Wizards would be left with several options to choose from.  The Wizards could draft Michael Kidd-Gilchrist the freshman small forward from Kentucky, where he won the national championship.  Kidd-Gilchrist is the most relentless player in the draft, plays harder than anyone, is a true leader and most importantly a winner.  His intangibles are off the chart, as is his athletic ability.  Kidd-Gilchrist is as good a defender as anyone in the draft, and can use his length and tenacity to cover any position from point guard to power forward.  In transition he and Wall would make a fearsome duo, as good as any in the league.  Kidd-Gilchrist's biggest weakness is his outside shooting, which is coincidentally the Wizards' greatest area of need.  Kidd-Gilchrist has an awkward hitch in his shot caused by holding the ball for too long, however, with his unparalleled work ethic, he should be able to improve it substantially in the next few years.

Harrison Barnes

Another option for the Wizards is Harrison Barnes, the sophomore small forward out of North Carolina.  Barnes is one of the most athletic players in the draft, and his greatest strength is his shooting ability.  Barnes has an excellent mid-range game and could help spread the floor for the Wizards.  If drafted by the Wizards, the team would likely try to convert Barnes to shooting guard, something that Barnes, a natural small forward, has described as "an adjustment".  Barnes came into UNC as one of the most hyped collegiate players of all time, and while he had a very good college career, not living up to the immense expectations has caused the public's perception of Barnes to sour.

Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson out of Kansas is yet another option for the Wizards.  A native of D.C., Robinson is a player capable of stepping in immediately and providing the Wizards with rebounding, interior scoring and athleticism.  Robinson, who tragically lost his mother and grandparents in a car accident, is one of the feel good stories of the draft and very easy to root for.  The Wizards' trades make Robinson unlikely to be drafted by the team, however, he is considered one of the top prospects in the draft and therefore a possibility.

All four players are widely considered high character players with excellent work ethics, and will likely be key contributors to the team if drafted.