Wizards mock draft #1

 It’s official, the Washington Wizards are the worst team in the NBA ! This for many wizards fans, me included, comes as a relief. With a new front office, we knew coming into this season that the Wizards were going to tank. Draft day is still far away, but as the wizards sit at an 11-55 record, they are very likely to inherit a high lottery pick. The Wizards also own the Clippers’s first-round pick (25th) going into this draft which they acquired in the Daniel Gafford trade earlier this season.

Here is what I would do if I were the Wizards’s GM.

I’m trading the first overall pick to Oklahoma for two of their first-round picks (OKC owns the Rockets first-round pick and the Jazz’s first-round pick which is protected 1-10).  

This trade can help both teams. Many see this draft as the most talentless we’ve had in a while. And as crazy as it sounds, Sam Presti has too many picks, if just for salary reasons. For that reason, I could see them wanting to trade up to the top pick and draft Alexander Sarr. Sarr is first in many mock drafts, and Perth’s bigman will help OKC who is desperate to strengthen their frontcourt and take a swing on another young potential star to their roster. 

The Wizards are starting from scratch, and need first round picks in volume. They’re not in a “win now’ situation and they are set to rebuild around a young core that includes Deni Avdija (who just signed an extension) and the promising rookie from France, Bilal Coulibaly.

If OKC and the Wizards do make this trade, I’m first selecting Rob Dillingham with the tenth pick. Dillingham’s stock has been rising as the Kentucky freshman keeps delivering more solid performances for the Wildcats in a very tough SEC conference.

He’s the shiftiest player in college basketball right now and arguably has the best handle. Although the knock on him is his slight frame (6 '3, 176 lbs), Rob is athletic and unafraid to attack the rim. 

He reminds me of another electric guard the Wizards drafted from Kentucky a couple of years ago, John Wall. Wall himself had high praise for Dillingham, “He’s fearless man. I was like damn who the hell is this kid? Rob Dillingham is definitely a lottery pick. Put it on a bucket list.” 

Kentucky has proven fertile ground in growing NBA-ready guards: Cason Wallace, Tyler Herro, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, and De’Aaron Fox. 

For the second pick in the deal, the Wizards will address their need for a big man, especially considering Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford have been traded and Marvin Bagley’s future is unsure even if he has shined in some moments. This is why I would draft Donovan Clingan. 

The 7’2 center has been a key component to this dominant UCONN squad. The sophomore has been averaging 20 pts, 11 boards and 3,9 blocks per game. It doesn’t get better in this class, and he will definitely be a name to watch in March Madness as the Huskies look to retain their title. Clingan helped them win their last game against Saint Johns, piling up 22 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, going 7 from 12 from the field and 8 of 11 from the line. Clingan is a great interior defender, and shot blocker, and should have an immediate impact on the Wizards’ porous defense.

For the twenty-fifth pick, I’m drafting guard Jared McCain from Duke. McCain is known for his corny TikTok dances, but don’t be mistaken, the 5-star recruit has been steadily improving helping the Blue Devils to the second seed in the ACC. The California native is averaging 13.4 points per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.9% from three.

One of the reasons I like McCain is I simply do not believe in Jordan Poole and we probably will not re-sign Tyus Jones, hence why I’m completely rebuilding the backcourt. Drafting Carlton “Bub” Carrington at 50 could be the steal of the draft. Carrington has been my favorite player in College Basketball this season. The Baltimore native was named on the ACC all-rookie team. Carrington can score on all three levels, and unlike Dillingham, he is 6’ 6’’ which will help him translate to the NBA level. 

During the ACC Tournament against UNC, Carrington proved what he was capable of by scoring and carrying Pitt on the biggest stage when his team needed him the most.

The Panther’s senior Blake Hinson went scoreless in the first half, but Carrington wasn’t afraid to take the lead putting up 24 points on 53% from the field and 50% from three-point range, which is seen as his weakness. Bub also managed to get to the line, and he knocked down some clutch buckets to keep his team in the game. 

To recap. Should the Wizards win the number one pick in the lottery, I want them to trade that pick to OKC for their tenth and eleventh picks, (which they own from past trades.)

With this haul, I’m taking Rob Dillingham the guard from Kentucky at ten. With number eleven, I’m taking Donovan Clingan from UConn. With the 25th overall pick, I want the Wiz to pick Jarred McCain from Duke. And finally; with the 50th pick I want the wizards to draft Carlton Carrington from Pitt. 

Right now, the Wizards are in rebuild mode, and the more bites at the apple, the better chances they have of building a young and talented core moving forward, something this franchise hasn’t done in a long time. The only hiccup to this scenario is that there’s a slight possibility Utah’s pick to OKC (the tenth pick) does not convey.