Washington Wizards Draft Preview
By Kyle Andrews
The Washington Wizards do not have a draft pick in 2016 draft after trading their 2016 first round selection to Phoenix for forward Markieff Morris.
However, they still have some pieces on their team that they may swing for a selection(s) in the draft. Here is a scenario that makes the most sense for the Wizards:
Sign and Trade Bradley Beal
Although Beal has been thought of as a mainstay for the Wizards, he wants a max contract and that may not be desirable for a player who has been injured throughout most of his career. Personally, I believe that Beal will get the deal and continue to be a Wizard. However, his injury history and the Wizards’ possible unwillingness to give him a max contract remain at large.
For starters, the Celtics could use a shooting guard to pair with Isaiah Thomas. Avery Bradley is a very good player, and Marcus Smart has a lot of potential, but Beal gives the Celtics possibly another future star. Beal could also maximize his deal by agreeing to the trade with the Celtics after signing with the Wizards. Maybe the Wizards would also give up a Kelly Oubre Jr. or Otto Porter Jr. As good as the trade is for the Celtics, it is even better for the Wizards.
Imagine this, “With the 3rd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select Buddy Hield, shooting guard from Oklahoma.” The crowd would go absolutely insane. He would be immediately ready to play and already possesses an NBA-ready body (6-5, 215 pounds). His ability to put the ball in the basket (averaging 25.0 ppg) and rebound the ball (5.7 rpg) could be all that the Wizards need to return to the playoffs.
Not only does he have the stats to prove himself, he has the work ethic that the Wizards would love to see. Hield has continually improved his gave over the course of his college career. He fights hard for every possession and John Wall could use having a guy who he can drive and dish to. Hield constantly worked on his jumpshot at every chance that he received.
Dave Ray of NBADraft.net lists Buddy Hield’s strengths and weaknesses as such:
"Strengths: Very rarely do players improve dramatically between their junior, and senior years of college, but Oklahoma senior, Buddy Hield has taken his game to the next level during his 4th collegiate season … Always a strong outside shooter, Hield has improved his 3 point percentage to a lofty .523% on 7.9 attempts per game … He showcases NBA range, and even beyond, rendering him a player that needs to be guarded out to 26 feet away from the hoop … Through 19 games this season, he’s scorching the nets to the tune of 53% from the field, 53% from deep, and 90% from the stripe, and he reportedly shots between 500-700 jumpers a session outside of Oklahoma’s practices, which is an attribute to his work ethic and desire to improve … Early in his career, Buddy showed great promise off the dribble, and as a slasher, but during his sophomore and junior seasons, he became a bit predictable and took over half his shots from beyond the arc … He’s clearly addressed this, and both improved his handle, and his at the rim conversion rate this season … He made just 55% of his shots at the rim last season (according to hoop-math.com) and has risen that to 63.3% this season … He also gets to the free throw line 1.7 more times per game … Buddy’s handle is noticeably better, and this has been in aid in both creating for himself, and for others … He’s also shown the ability to dribble out of trouble, change speeds, and get past defenders … Buddy’s averaging a career high in assists (2.5) as well … Since Buddy is 22 years old, there has been no physical growth since my scouting report last year, but his 6’8.5’’ wingspan is still a nice metric for a player who stands 6’4.5’’ in shoes, and his conditioning is clearly at an elite level, which was noticed at in the knock-down, drag out triple overtime game vs Kansas, in which Hield hung 46 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists … From a defensive standpoint, he is very solid considering the offensive load he carries for his team … He’s willing, has quick hands, and has amassed 27 steals and 10 blocks in 19 games … Looking towards the NBA, he may not project as an elite defender, but he’s more than physically capable … He’s quietly averaging a career high in rebounds (5.8) and has actually logged 8 or more rebounds 5 times this season.Weaknesses: Buddy’s main knock will be his height for an NBA shooting guard, and although he’s improved his handle significantly in order to become more of a combo guard, he’s still not more of an undersized 2 … Buddy handles the ball a lot, and carries a great offensive burden for the Sooners, as a result he can be turnover prone at times (10 TO’s vs Oklahoma State) … Buddy has clearly worked to improve his game off the dribble, and now takes less than 50% of his shots from deep, in favor of driving to the hoop to keep defenders guessing … In reality, this is a player who has clearly worked very hard at not just what he does well, but his flaws, and as a result, he’s become a very complete player, that’s hard to nitpick outside of some physical differences between the size of NCAA players and those in the NBA …"
His weaknesses should be minimized by his hard work and I believe that he will continually get better in the NBA. Within that trade, the Wizards would probably have to take on another contract from the Celtics. Maybe Amir Johnson would fit the bill and his contract would expire after this upcoming season. That would give Washington even more cap flexibility for the following season when Blake Griffin could potentially become a free agent.
What do you think that they should do?