Close Article Return to stream X

NBA • 10 months ago

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits For Washington Wizards

+Read full article

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

5 Perfect First-Round Fits for Washington Wizards

john wall and bradley beal — After being doormats in the NBA for several years, the Washington Wizards are finally back near the top of the Eastern Conference. Washington had another solid season but feel short against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semis. The Wizards have some pieces already in place, but in order for them to take that next step, the front office must have a successful draft. Here are some players Washington should consider in the first round.

After being doormats in the NBA for several years, the Washington Wizards are finally back near the top of the Eastern Conference. Washington had another solid season but feel short against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semis. The Wizards have some pieces already in place, but in order for them to take that next step, the front office must have a successful draft. Here are some players Washington should consider in the first round.

5. PF Kevon Looney, UCLA

5. PF Kevon Looney, UCLA

Looney would be quite an interesting pick for Washington. I'm sure the Wizards would be wondering which version of Looney they'd be getting. At the beginning of the season he was a double-double machine, but at the tail-end of the year, he was plagued by injuries and simply wasn't the player everyone thought he would be. He may not be the greatest rebounder, but he has great handle for a big and can create his own shot.

4. SG R.J. Hunter, Georgia State

4. SG R.J. Hunter, Georgia State

The Wizards need to add some shooting help off the bench. Rasual Butler is an unrestricted free agent, and Paul Pierce has a player option and could jet for Los Angeles. R.J. Hunter is a pure shooter who could provide an instant spark for the Wizards. He will need to bulk up so he'll be able to hang with the grown men playing in the NBA, however. Hunter probably will never be a star, but he should be a great role player in Washington.

3. PG Tyus Jones, Duke

3. PG Tyus Jones, Duke

The backup point guards currently on the Wizards roster are Will Bynum and Ramon Sessions. Bynum is a free agent this summer and Sessions is under contract for another year, but this is not going to cut it. If the Wizards want to be a great team, they need a point guard who can really run the show when John Wall needs a rest. Jones is a born leader and winner, and he also possesses great court vision.

2. PF Bobby Portis, Arkansas

2. PF Bobby Portis, Arkansas

One area where Washington could afford to improve is the frontcourt. There just isn't enough depth on this roster to get the job done. Portis is a player who can come in and make a big impact right away. There are just so many things that this kid can do. He shoots the ball really well for a big man and is a great post defender. Portis also has a great motor, showing how much he wants to win.

1. PG Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

1. PG Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Once again, the Wizards have a need at the backup point guard position. One thing that Grant does better than Tyus Jones is score the basketball. With the possibility of the Wizards losing Paul Pierce this offseason, Washington could use another source of point production. He has the size and athletic ability to be able to keep up with today's guards in the NBA, and he can make plays for himself, as well as his teammates.

Brandon Austin is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BMoreThanGreat, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Teams in this article »
Washington Wizards

Your Favorites

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 3 hours ago

Watch John Wall Chase Down Steph Curry And Block Layup Attempt

Stephen Curry did not seem to be taking a layup for granted, which makes John Wall's run down the floor to block the shot all the more impressive.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 2 weeks ago

Wizards Must Focus on Bradley Beal During Stretch Run

Breaking News

The Washington Wizards need Bradley Beal to be at his best to make the playoffs, and they would be smart to focus on him in the next month.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 3 weeks ago

Wizards' Bradley Beal Is The Derrick Rose Of Shooting Guards

Breaking News

Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal's career is starting to resemble Derrick Rose's, and that should be concerning for the franchise.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 4 weeks ago

5 Reasons Why The Wizards Will Make 2016 NBA Playoffs

Breaking News

The Washington Wizards are climbing up the ranks of the Eastern Conference standings. Here are five reasons why the Wizards will secure a third-consecutive postseason bid.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 1 month ago

Watch Otto Porter Rudely Reject Kevin Love

Otto Porter lost the battle for a rebound, but he stayed aggressive around the basket and came through with a rude, resounding rejection of Kevin Love.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 1 month ago

Wizards Still Have Cap Room To Add Max Contract Free Agent

Breaking News

The Washington Wizards improved their team by adding Markieff Morris at the trade deadline, but they also didn't sacrifice the ability to offer a maximum contract in the offseason.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 1 month ago

Washington Wizards Have Turned Corner After All-Star Break

Breaking News

The Washington Wizards look like a much better team after the All-Star break, and John Wall is the main reason for their improvement.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 1 month ago

Watch Garrett Temple's 3-Pointer Get Stopped By Phantom Defender

Garrett Temple had an clean look from beyond the arc ... until what seemed to be an invisible defender stifled him.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 1 month ago

Watch John Wall's Sick Behind-The-Back Move

John Wall made a couple highlight-reel behind-the back-moves on Thursday night, but the first was clearly the best for the Washington Wizards' All-Star.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 1 month ago

Wizards' Drew Gooden Turns Bizarre Possession Into And-One Chance

A lot going on here….But Drew Gooden with the and 1! #UTAatWAS (Wizards) pic.twitter.com/kzSPaJnKI6

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 19, 2016

This has to go down as one of the strangest plays in the NBA this season. Washington's Drew Gooden throws a bad pass which bounces right back to him, and then manages to turn a feeble shot attempt into an and-one opportunity thanks to boneheaded defense from Derrick Favors. Sadly, Gooden missed the subsequent free-throw attempt.

Comment

0 Comments