The Wizards are looking to move up in this year’s NBA Draft
Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards have been the definition of mediocrity in the last couple seasons. The team could get you excited but always finds a way to fall apart when it matters most. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has said on record that he refuses to allow his team to tank. Due that reason, the Wizards have been stuck with late lottery picks/mid first round picks.
They have found some potential in some of those recent picks such as Deni Avdija and Rui Haichimura. However, they have not found their immediate game changers like once did with Bradley Beal and former Wizard John Wall. This year that could change as the team is willing to trade away the 10th overall pick in the draft.
Washington Wizards insider Quinton Mayo reported in a recent article that the team could be looking to improve on their point guard position. The top guard in the draft is Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. In the NBA.com’s consensus mock draft, Ivey is projected to be drafted by the Kings with the fourth pick.
Jaden Ivey of Purdue (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Until the actual draft occurs, the likelihood of the possible trade is unpredictable but for the Wizards, a trade like this would make sense. The Wizards had a weaker point guard this past season with Raul Neto leading the position group. The guards also lack potential with most of them being on the latter halves of their careers: Tomas Satoransky, 30, Neto, 30, and Ish Smith, 33.
Ivey garners comparison to a younger Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant. The Wizards last made the playoffs with Westbrook as their starting guard. The Wizards had their most recent success with explosive guard play dating back to Wall and his stint with the team as well. The formula of explosive guard play could be what the team is in search of as they could attempt to replicate and improve on their previous playoff form.
Former Wizards guard John Wall celebrating their game 6 victory in the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs over the Boston Celtics| (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
The Wizards have made attempts to address their point guard situation. They traded for Westbrook back in the 2020 only for him to leave after that season and tried the Spencer Dinwiddie experiment this past season but ultimately failed.
With Beal still being in his prime and having Kristaps Porzingis, the team could be successful with some additions. The only real question for them is: who would they be willing to trade to the Kings to acquire the fourth pick?
Both the Kings and Wizards are open to trading their respective picks so it something worth monitoring.
