2015 Draft Preview: Washington Wizards

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: John Wall/Ramon Sessions

SG: Bradley Beal/Martell Webster

SF: Otto Porter Jr.

PF: Nene/Kris Humphries/DeJuan Blair

C: Marcin Gortat

2015 Free Agents

SF Rasual Butler

PG Will Bynum

PF Drew Gooden

F Paul Pierce (player option)

C Kevin Seraphin

G Garrett Temple (player option)

2015 Draft Picks

1-19

2-19(49)

Team Needs

Washington has three clear needs no what happens with Paul Pierce; whether he picks up his option or not, Washington clearly needs a stretch-four to make this offense work at an above-average level. Pierce can fill that role if he returns, but it will become a need again next summer, so why not address it now and give your player a year in the system before you really need them? Backup point guard is another area Washington can upgrade, Ramon Sessions can be useful, but he is a limited player. Because John Wall is so big and can defend shooting guards, a high quality backup guard could play alongside him and kill two birds its one stone because backup shooting guard is also an area of concern.

Potential Fits

Several power forwards in the middle of the first round have potential to be a perimeter power forward including UCLA's Kevon Looney, UNLV's Christian Wood, Arkansas's Bobby Portis, and Trey Lyles of Kentucky. All four could be off the board when Washington pick, but it is likely at least one might be available. Looney and Wood are also long and athletic with shotblocking upside, while Portis is a physical, positional defender who is the best overall offensive player of the bunch. Lyles is interesting, he has great size but isn't a good athlete and despite a reputation otherwise, he was an awful shooter last season. Lyles carries the most risk of the group, but still would have to be considered because if his shooting rounds into form you'd have exactly what you need. Tyus Jones of Duke and Cameron Payne of Murray State are the two point guards most likely to be available when the Wizards pick. Both are similar in that they lack above-average size/physical tools yet have a lot of skills you like as a point guards. Both are good shooters, can see the floor, and are willing passers. Both would likely be an upgrade over Sessions. Another place Washington should look to improve is their depth at shooting guard, with only the oft-injured Martell Webster to back up Bradley Beal, who has been hurt some himself. R.J. Hunter of Georgia State is an ideal fit because he'll give Washington an additional shooting option that can fill in spacing the floor with Beal on the bench. An intersting second round option for the Wizards is Iowa forward Aaron White, who was a very efficient player that shot 36% from three last season.

Mock Draft

19. R.J. Hunter, SG, 

49. Aaron White, PF, Iowa

Draft Review: Washington Wizards

First Round

Otto Porter, SF Georgetown (3)

The Wizards were clearly not sold on Nerlens Noel's knee, because if they were then certainly he would have been the choice over Porter. The Wizards were likely deciding between Porter and Anthony Bennett, so when Bennett went 1-1, Porter was the obvious choice to them. He fills a need at small forward and gives the Wizards a tremendous young nucleus. Porter is unselfish and will fit in nicely with his do it all ability.

Second Round

Glen Rice Jr, G/F D-League (35)

One of the steals of the draft, Rice Jr. was clearly a first round pick and very talented. His troubled past is likely what contributed to his fall, but it's rare to find a 6-6, 211 wing with a 40+ inch vertical that can really shoot the ball. Rice Jr. will be a shooter and defender off the bench for Washington, who could use both.

Projected Rotation

PG: John Wall/A.J. Price (FA)

SG: Brad Beal/Glen Rice Jr.

SF: Otto Porter/Trevor Ariza

PF: Nene/Trevor Booker

C: Emeka Okafor/Kevin Seraphin

What Will The Wizards Do at #3?

Nerlens Noel, C Kentucky Fr. (7-0, 206)

The Wizards see this as a 3 player draft, and it appears Noel is the top of those 3. They've got Emeka Okafor manning the middle for one more season, so there wouldn't be any pressure on Noel until at least 2014-15. Noel would fit nicely as a defensive backstop for Washington, as well as next to Nene, who isn't a rim protector. Offensively, he's very athletic and should do well finishing lobs and running the floor with John Wall.

Anthony Bennett, PF UNLV Fr. (6-8, 240)

Last season the Wizards got so much of their scoring from the backcourt and wing, while only Nene really provided much offense. Also, they struggled at times shooting the ball and spreading the floor. Bennett, who can score both inside and out would go a long ways to fix that. He can provide that from day one with considerable upside as well: Bennett is an explosive athlete that will only get more polished.

Otto Porter, SF Georgetown So. (6-9, 198)

Martell Webster has a good season for the Wizards, but he's really had trouble staying healthy and hasn't exactly been consistent over the course of his career. Otto Porter would be an upgrade over Webster and bolster their wing depth. Porter is a do-it-all forward who will help a team win even without putting up big numbers, though he can do that too. For Washington he'll serve as a 3rd or 4th option who'll spread the floor, rebound, and defend.