1 win away from the playoffs, the Wizards might have finally turned a corner?
The Washington Wizards had a relatively successful season despite some criticized moves during the season. There were plenty of pundits that felt the Wizards traded aging stars such as Bruno Fernando, and Malik Monk for way too cheap. Numerous media critics cited the lack of direction from this front office, and many felt all the moves were horrible. In the end the Wizards finished much a higher than expected record, and in return from those trades they gained 6 1st round draft choices plus other assets that allowed them to reshape this core. They were one win away during the play-in battle from making the playoffs. One could argue the Wizards could've secured their playoff spot if it wasn't for some late season injuries to key players such as Jake Stephens, Trey Jamison, and Usman Garuba.
This off-season the Wizards drafted 6 players in the 1st round, and the front office felt they got a lot of good young players from a strong draft class. The coaching staff are very excited to see how these young players will develop in the training camp. We will break down the following drafted pieces.
Ryan Dunn - SF/SG, 11th pick:Arguably the best defender in this draft. Ryan Dunn will provide the Wizards with some much needed toughness and defense with his size, strength, and athleticism. Dunn has some serious potential as a defensive rebounder, slasher, shot blocker, and ball thief. The team is extremely excited to see how Dunn to grow, and they are hoping he will reach his potential as an outside shooter as well.
Jaime Jacquez Jr - SF/PF/SG, 12th pick: JJJ was labeled as a perfect do it all wing that has immense versatility with potential to be a 2-way player. Draft media dubbed JJJ as one of the best plug and play wing in this draft class, and the Wizards coaching staff are looking forward to working with JJJ. If JJJ can develop his outside shot along with his defensive ability, then he can be one of the stronger glue guys in the league.
Brandin Podziemski - SG/PG, 18th pick: Podz comes into this draft as a lights out shooter who knows how to create his own shots, and has some good secondary playmaking potential as well. Defensively he should be very solid, and will be an active participant as a ball thief as well. The Wizards scouts are in love with Podz's combination of shooting, shot creation ability, and an intriguing ability to draw fouls as a slasher. If Podz can develop his all around game, then it won't be surprising to see him as a starting SG for the Wizards for years to come.
Jamarion Sharp - C, 19th pick: The 7'3, 250 lbs behemoth from Ole Miss is a hard guy to miss. The Wizards have been desperately looking to add some more size and physicality in their front court, and Sharp seems to be the perfect piece to the puzzle. Wizards scouts love Sharp's ability to be a very efficient inside option with some top notch rim protecting ability. If Sharp can develop his rebounding ability, then the Wizards might have found themselves a future starting center to go along with their wide selection of young post big men.
Jamal Shead - PG/SG, 22nd pick: Who doesn't love a 3&D prototype player in the perimeter? Jamal Shead was already one of the best ball thief in college basketball last season, and the Wizards front office wasted no time to picking this young 3&D combo guard up. Scouts how Shead has some serious shooting chops from both the corner, and ATB. While his playmaking won't be top notch, he can be a serviceable back up PG for limited minutes. If Shead can develop his man to man defense a bit more, then he will be a true menace as a 3&D combo guard.
Joel Soriano - PF/C, 26th pick: Big Joe was the final 1st round selection for the Wizards in this year's draft. A relatively unknown prospect during the pre-draft process, the Wizards scout was very impressed by Big Joe's combine performances, and felt there is something to be have here. Soriano comes in as an efficient rim runner that has a strong rebounding game, a solid rim protector, and can hit a good amount of free throws while being a free throw merchant. The Wizards front office was pleased to see Soriano available in the late 1st, and snatching him up was a no brainer.
Per usual, the Wizards were once again active in the off-season trade markets. There have been numerous trade rumors surrounding them. So far they have traded away some of their wing/guard depth such as Carlton Carrington, Tidjane Salaun, Jake LaRavia, EJ Liddell, and Jalen Green for well proven veterans such as Ja Morant, and Coby White. The Wizards front office believe both Morant and White can provide some veteran leadership to this young core while also giving the PG position some much needed firepower. Meanwhile they also traded Anthony Edwards away to the Milwaukee Bucks for Ryan Dunn, Kenny Lofton Jr. Lofton is expected to be given the starting PF job for this upcoming season, as the Wizards coaching staff firmly believe Lofton can be a dangerous low post scorer/rebounder while being surrounded by good rim protectors. 3 trades down, and you can bet the Wizards front office aren't done yet.
