2015 Draft Review: Washington Wizards

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: John Wall/Ramon Sessions

SG: Bradley Beal/Martell Webster

SF: Otto Porter Jr./Jared Dudley/Kelly Oubre

PF: Nene/Kris Humphries/DeJuan Blair/Aaron White

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)

What a They Did On Draft Night 

Traded up to Draft Kansas wing Kelly Oubre 15th overall

The Wizards traded some second rounders to move up four spots and draft a talented project that could develop into a tremendous fit with their core. Oubre is an excellent physical specimen with explosiveness in every direction and a 7-2 wingspan. He isn't devoid of skill either, Oubre shoots well and can attack in line drives. Barring a flame-out, Oubre should develop into at least a very good 3-and-D guy with the chance for more as he learns the game, develops a mid-range game and gets a little more wiggle with his drives. It may take a year or two, but Oubre could really be a great fit with John Wall: spacing the floor, running in transition, and switching defensively. He might not be ready for a big role from day one, but if the Wizards are patient, the might have very valuable contributor.

Drafted Iowa forward Aaron White 49th overall

White is another potentially excellent fit with the Wizards who has a good chance to make the roster and even get some playing time eventually. White's best attributes are running the floor and finishing at the rim, but Jan Vesely he is not. White shot 36% from three last season (albiet on a limited number of attempts) and 82% from the line, hinting at some stretch-four potential. It's not hard to see how a power forward that is great in transition and can shoot fits with the Wizards. Defense is more of a question, but White moves well and could be solid defending perimeter based bigs, but might struggle against physical post players.

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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