2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Another idea: Trade for Jalen Smith.

He is as good or better than Gafford. Draft whomever the Suns want AND swap that pick for Smith. Might even be able to get him for a lot less than our first-round pick because I would consider his first season with Phoenix a bust.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The big man equivalent of Sharife Cooper, another prodigious freshman, is Day'Ron Sharpe.

Roy Williams had a lot of bigmen and I don't think he did a great job developing this particular kid in his last season as head coach. Sharpe rebounds. I see some Boogie Cousins minus the assertive edge.

I think he's going a little bit too low in mock drafts.

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[pcbothwel]

CCJ... Esshhh.
Nothing points to Jalen Smith being better than Gafford. Smith looks like a solid stretch big in time, but Gafford is a plus player right now and profiles as a legit Capela type player moving forward. No way am I trading Jared Butler, Springer, or Wagner for Jalen Smith.

As for Sharpe, I cant see the appeal at all. The days of a below the rim, 50% FT shooting, negative TOV:AST ratio Centers are long gone.
Centers that doe everything average to below average except rebounding are just useless these days.

Queta and Pertusev are the only Centers in the 20-35 range worth considering.

[prime1time]

In isolation, Wagner is probably the best pick. But you have to wonder if Wagner, Avdija and Rui can both play together. To put it another way, can one of those 3 consistently guard the 2 or the 5. If they fall in love with Wagner they should take him, but imo for roster construction, we are better off just drafting a guard or a wing we are confident can guard guards effectively.

Wagner would probably play both the 3&4. Plenty of minutes to go around. Avdija can probably play some 2 in the future.

I will point out, Wagner can absolutely guard 2s. I think it’s a great fit.

Long term what's the plan for the lineup? One of Deni or Wagner is a 6th man with Rui being locked into the 4? If everyone's on board with it and willing to accept their role it could work. I'm just concerned that eventually, we'll have to choose between Avdija and Wagner.

[Ruzious]

Another idea: Trade for Jalen Smith.

He is as good or better than Gafford. Draft whomever the Suns want AND swap that pick for Smith. Might even be able to get him for a lot less than our first-round pick because I would consider his first season with Phoenix a bust.

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Smith would be an interesting target. His trade value has to be down, because he got so little playing time even though Phoenix had so little depth up front - only 156 minutes plus 98 in the G League. I'd be willing to trade the 15th pick and filler (Hutchison) for Smith and the 28th pick. But considering Phoenix took him at 10, they probably wouldn't do that.

[nate33]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

[nate33]

Another idea: Trade for Jalen Smith.

He is as good or better than Gafford. Draft whomever the Suns want AND swap that pick for Smith. Might even be able to get him for a lot less than our first-round pick because I would consider his first season with Phoenix a bust.

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Smith would be an interesting target. His trade value has to be down, because he got so little playing time even though Phoenix had so little depth up front - only 156 minutes plus 98 in the G League. I'd be willing to trade the 15th pick and filler (Hutchison) for Smith and the 28th pick. But considering Phoenix took him at 10, they probably wouldn't do that.

That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'd take the potential upside of an unknown at #15 in a relatively strong draft over the #10 pick in a weak draft who couldn't even get on the floor his rookie year. If nothing else, you are losing a year of that cheap rookie contract. And that doesn't even factor that a young center is pretty low on our list of priorities at the moment.

[Frichuela]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

Absolutely. Guaranteed baller and winning player. Another combo guard that has potential is Tre Mann, the more film I watch, the more I like the kid. Either would make a solid addition to the Wizards.

[Dat2U]

Another idea: Trade for Jalen Smith.

He is as good or better than Gafford. Draft whomever the Suns want AND swap that pick for Smith. Might even be able to get him for a lot less than our first-round pick because I would consider his first season with Phoenix a bust.

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One I'll disagree on. I never saw it with Smith and was surprised he was drafted so high. Viewed him as a bit of tweener. Not enough rebounding, not a great defender as a 5. Decent floor spacer but not really a face up guy either. Not a guy that's going to attack closeouts as a 4. Good enough to he on someone's roster but not good enough to make a significant impact.

[Dat2U]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

Deni was 19. I don't think age makes a difference to Shepp. Maturity matters more but from what I've seen so far is he looks for the best combination of physical ability & basketball character in the 1st round.

In the 2nd round its a productive upperclassmen with high basketball character.

I expect if we use the draft pick, it will be for another upside play who's known as a gym rat.

[Ruzious]

Another idea: Trade for Jalen Smith.

He is as good or better than Gafford. Draft whomever the Suns want AND swap that pick for Smith. Might even be able to get him for a lot less than our first-round pick because I would consider his first season with Phoenix a bust.

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Smith would be an interesting target. His trade value has to be down, because he got so little playing time even though Phoenix had so little depth up front - only 156 minutes plus 98 in the G League. I'd be willing to trade the 15th pick and filler (Hutchison) for Smith and the 28th pick. But considering Phoenix took him at 10, they probably wouldn't do that.

That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'd take the potential upside of an unknown at #15 in a relatively strong draft over the #10 pick in a weak draft who couldn't even get on the floor his rookie year. If nothing else, you are losing a year of that cheap rookie contract. And that doesn't even factor that a young center is pretty low on our list of priorities at the moment.

I don't completely disagree with your points, but that trade would include getting back the 28th pick - where there should be a good player available. Also, losing the first year of a rookie deal isn't necessarily a bad thing - look at how little Smith produced. It's the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years where you're likely getting the most value. Hopefully, Smith can play PF in the NBA - though it's debatable since he was better at C at MD. This draft is probably better than last years - but not by much. Remember, Haliburton was the 12th pick last year. He'd probably go 5th in this year's class. I agree that Butler is a sensible target.

[DCZards]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

I'm locked in on Butler as well. He definitely seems like he can step in and help right away and that's what the Zards need given that that we're building around Beal and Russ which means we're in a "win now" mode.

Maybe most importantly, 3pt shooting is an oversized weapon in today's NBA and the Zards need more of it. Butler will give them that.

[Ruzious]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

Deni was 19. I don't think age makes a difference to Shepp. Maturity matters more but from what I've seen so far is he looks for the best combination of physical ability & basketball character in the 1st round.

In the 2nd round its a productive upperclassmen with high basketball character.

I expect if we use the draft pick, it will be for another upside play who's known as a gym rat.

I concur. And that leads to the question: Who best fits that description? Or who would Tommy think best fits that description? Probably Giddey if he's there, but he likely won't. Probably not Butler, because he has average physical tools. Depending on how he interviews, it could be Kai Jones. Or it could be someone that we're not even thinking about right now - maybe someone like Scottie Lewis comes out of nowhere and bowls him over in shooting drills. If so, he better trade down to get him, lol.

[Ruzious]

It's interesting that most mocks now have moved Trey Murphy up to late first - which I think makes sense. But most don't have his teammate, Sam Hauser - at all. i'm convinced Hauser is the better player. It sounds crazy to say that a likely UDFA will be one of the top rookies next season, but I'd bet on it with Hauser (depending on what team signs him), and he'd be a great fit for the Wiz.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Right now, the guy I want most in terms of fit and immediate usefulness is Jared Butler. The guy is NBA ready right now and would be perfect as the 3rd guard in our 3-guard rotation.

Given the total lack of 3&D wings on the free agency market, I might just stand pat in free agency and hope that Avdija and Hutchison can get the job done after shooting 1000 3-pointers a day all summer long. Just resign Mathews and find a 3rd string center and 3rd string PG for the vet minimum.

I'd be totally fine with Giddy too. It would be more of long term play centered on our post-Westbrook future. But I don't see Sheppard drafting an 18-year-old. I'm sure they think the Wizards are firmly in the Atlanta/New York/Miami tier of East Conference playoff teams and they want to try and compete now.

Deni was 19. I don't think age makes a difference to Shepp. Maturity matters more but from what I've seen so far is he looks for the best combination of physical ability & basketball character in the 1st round.

In the 2nd round its a productive upperclassmen with high basketball character.

I expect if we use the draft pick, it will be for another upside play who's known as a gym rat.

This is just an opinion not based on any statistics. Age probably should matter because a lot of times you end up drafting for another team. Daniel Gafford is someone that the Bulls let go. Some guys bloom a little bit later. I’m looking at Jalen Smith and how he didn’t play at all this year. I know that guy can play. Occasionally, a younger person is going to come in kind of timid and physically weaker. Years later they blossom.


Even I don’t know if any of what I just said makes sense.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Oh I know my point. I would prefer guys the age of Aaron Wiggins. But then again that is why I was wrong about Dwight Howard versus a Emeka Okafor

[nate33]

Deni was 19. I don't think age makes a difference to Shepp. Maturity matters more but from what I've seen so far is he looks for the best combination of physical ability & basketball character in the 1st round.

Last draft, we were a 30-win team with no great hope for the immediate future. Our oldest relevant player was John Wall at age 29. This draft, we are a playoff team that finished the season on a 17-6 run, while our oldest relevant player is Westbrook at age 32.

[nate33]

Oh I know my point. I would prefer guys the age of Aaron Wiggins. But then again that is why I was wrong about Dwight Howard versus a Emeka Okafor

I was wrong about that one too.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I was wrong about that one too.

Four years at U Conn...

Who else was on that team with Emeka? Without using a search engine, I'd say perhaps it was TEAM that made the big man seem like the next big thing.

[NatP4]

In isolation, Wagner is probably the best pick. But you have to wonder if Wagner, Avdija and Rui can both play together. To put it another way, can one of those 3 consistently guard the 2 or the 5. If they fall in love with Wagner they should take him, but imo for roster construction, we are better off just drafting a guard or a wing we are confident can guard guards effectively.

Wagner would probably play both the 3&4. Plenty of minutes to go around. Avdija can probably play some 2 in the future.

I will point out, Wagner can absolutely guard 2s. I think it’s a great fit.

Long term what's the plan for the lineup? One of Deni or Wagner is a 6th man with Rui being locked into the 4? If everyone's on board with it and willing to accept their role it could work. I'm just concerned that eventually, we'll have to choose between Avdija and Wagner.

Eventually maybe, that’s usually just how it goes with successful teams that draft well. Rui and Avdija are both very unproven still. If Rui remains the player that he is right now for the next couple of seasons, there’s no reason to even re sign him.

Avdija seems like a perfect 6th man type of player that can be a secondary playmaker, sort of like an Iggy type. Remember, there are 96 minutes at the 3&4 positions, I think it would be just fine.

Now, there’s a argument to be made for drafting a replacement for Westbrook in the future, that is why Giddey might be the better pick.