Washington Wizards Draft Class Analysis

The Washington Wizards finished the season with the second-worst record in the NBA and ended up being drafted second overall. The Wizards hadn’t really been a serious playoff team since the end of the John Wall era in Washington. This year, they had three first-round picks, hoping to continue acquiring young, talented players.

Let’s take a closer look at each choice they made and a summary of their project.

If you ask who the best prospect in this year’s draft is, most NBA scouts or decision makers will probably say Alex Sarr. The 7-foot-1 big man played in the NBL last season, where he came off the bench in every game but was clearly one of the most impactful players on the team. Sarr is the perfect fit for a rebuilding Wizards team, as they need young, talented players with high potential, and he offers just that.

The French big man is probably the best defensive prospect in the draft, as he is an elite rim defender who has the ability to anchor defenses with his size, length and instincts. Sarr is a very versatile defender who is able to be effective in a variety of ball coverages and has shown the ability to step out and defend in space.

There is a legitimate argument to be made that Sarr is one of the most versatile, athletic 7-footers in the entire NBA. Beyond his defense, the 7-foot-1-inch big man is very talented and has a ton of offensive options. He has the potential to be a stretch big and has a good feel for the game. Sarr has the tools to be a two-way player at a high level in the NBA and could carve out a career similar to what Evan Mobley did for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the second pick in the lottery, the Washington Wizards took young and talented combo point guard Carlton “Bub” Carrington from Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-5 freshman made an immediate splash in college when he was drafted almost immediately thanks to his shooting, positional size, and passing skills.

Carrington definitely thrives in the mid-range area, where he has a lethal jump shot that reaches the 3-point line. In addition to his ability to make difficult shots, he also has a good feel for the game, which is evident in his reads in the halfcourt.

Carrington thrives in the pick and roll, where he consistently makes good decisions. The biggest concern is his inability to finish at the rim and his struggles to generate rim pressure. He is very perimeter-oriented at 6-foot-5, which is a bit concerning. Overall, he was a solid swing pick for the Wizards and could be a good piece next to Sarr.

With their final pick in the draft, the Wizards selected another Miami rookie, Kyshawn George. George, like Carrington, didn’t appear in any mock drafts or draft boards early in the season, but his stock rose dramatically as the season progressed thanks to impressive play when teammates got hurt.

George is a very good shooter who thrives in catch-and-shoot situations. He has great range that extends beyond the 3-point line and great feel. He has shown some potential in terms of shooting versatility as he is a capable shooter on the move and can make difficult layup shots. He is a solid playmaker who has also shown flashes of being a solid secondary playmaker on the team.

George is young and has some good potential, but he has noticeable concerns about his game. George’s biggest area of ​​concern is his struggles to stay efficient in the paint, as he has shot less than 50% of his 2-point attempts. He really struggles to finish at the rim, making him very perimeter-oriented.

The Wizards landing the best prospect in the draft despite not having the first pick is a huge win that all Washington fans should be happy about. Sarr isn’t an S-tier or franchise-changing prospect, but he offers elite two-way potential that you won’t find anywhere else in this draft. Sarr has made it clear that he prefers to play power forward in the NBA, so I wonder how they’ll handle his minutes at the four and five positions this upcoming season. With the remaining two first-round picks, they probably should have gone in a different direction with one of those picks.

They drafted two guards who are somewhat inexperienced, have serious issues finishing and putting pressure on the rim, and are still years away from NBA readiness. Carrington and George may have a hard time working together, so there could be a world where one of them ends up being moved. But both have a path to NBA success, just not on the same team. Ultimately, the Wizards should feel a bit more excited about their future, and with another season of tanking on the way, they can only pray that the lottery is on their side again.

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