The Washington Wizards feel they are close to becoming an NBA playoff team. They feel good about their backcourt featuring John Wall and Bradley Beal. If they can stay healthy they feel they can be contenders. I feel the 2013 NBA Draft is critical for the Wizards. They have a chance to select a third piece to their puzzle. Everybody knows they will be looking for a forward or center with their first round pick. I think their order of need is power forward, center, and small forward. The Wizards will also have opportunity to add depth with two second round draft picks.
I am going to assume the Wizards will use their picks and not trade out for a veteran player. Salary cap concerns will lead Washington to pick talent who can make their roster in the second round.
Centers:
Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky is probably the best center prospect in the draft. The 6’11 215 pound freshman out of Kentucky could contribute right away on the defensive side with his shot blocking and rebounding ability. He is athletic and young with tremendous upside. He likely will be gone before the Wizards pick unless Washington wins the lottery or teams back off from Noel due to his ACL injury. His downside is lack of an NBA offensive game and being young.
Alex Len is another center prospect that the Wizards might be able to grab. He would become the tallest player on Washington’s roster at 7’1″ tall. He has the local factor by playing two years at the University of Maryland. He can score, rebound and shot block but is young and will need to develop.
Forwards:
The Wizards might grab Otto Porter if he is available. The small forward has the local appeal of attending Georgetown for two seasons. The 6’8″ 200 pound small forward led the Hoyas in scoring, rebounds and steals last season. He was second on the team in blocks. He is young so there will be some growing pains but he could be a complementary player.
Anthony Bennet is a 6’8″ 240 pound power forward leaving UNLV after his freshman year. He is undersized for the position in the NBA and young. He led the Rebels n scoring and rebounds last season. He will likely develop into position but in the mean time he could contribute in some sort of hybrid roll.
In the second round I could see the Wizards drafting a center or forward from Europe to fill whatever position was missed in the first round. The Wizards would use the second pick in the second round to pick the best available player available to add depth.
The Wizards should be an interesting team to watch in the draft and I hope on the court in 2013-14. Hopefully this will be Washington’s last lottery pick as the team develops into a young, playoff team.
Sources:
espn.go.com
foxsports.com for player stats
