2026 Draft Day Thread

[Northwest Roddy]

Just a question, i have no clue. Any chance Okpara could play the Mitchel Robinson role?

Mitchell Robinson is a gigantic human being. There are very few people on the planet who are that big, that strong, and move that quickly.

Okpara could potentially be a smaller version of Robinson, but that would look and play more like Robert Williams than Mitchell Robinson.

Robinson aka the blockness monster is two inches taller with a two inch wingspan advantage and about 20 lbs. Okpra can out un weight but not length. I doubt he sees much playing time but we’ll see.

[tontoz]

I hate the Trae deal but that is a separate issue. This FO has a pretty good draft record. The Bub pick was bad with Ware and McCain going right afterwards, but overall i think they've done a good job so i am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on a 2nd round guy i am not familiar with. I dont care what his stats look like.

[joshuacf]

Why?

They traded five draft picks for a 33-year-old, injury-prone player who has publicly expressed skepticism about being here and needs a new contract.

They signed 28-year-old Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension just five months after he was traded for expiring contracts.

They traded away one of the best young players in franchise history for Bub Carrington and what projects to be a mid-first-round pick in 2029.

They hired Brian Keefe and have kept him. Is anyone around the league talking about Keefe as one of the NBA’s brightest new head coaches?

Yes, they’re intentionally rebuilding. But since this front office took over, the Wizards are 50–196.

Everyone agrees the previous roster needed to be torn down. That doesn’t automatically mean this rebuild has been executed at an elite level.

So why does this front office get the benefit of the doubt on every single decision? And why are people trying to police other opinions on a fan message board forum

shush... they will accuse us of

It's eerily similar to the mentality MAGA has when it comes to Trump (this isn't to bring politics into this thread, just to make the comparison of unwavering devotion). A huge swath on this board is willing to wear their mental gymnastics badge as a thing of honor no matter the move the front office makes, literally nothing can sway them at this point except a decades worth of waiting.

Perfect example is the Trae Young extension, the first reaction is almost near, unanimous scorn, then within a few hours of scrolling on Twitter, most find someone that eases their torment, to tell them what they want to hear in that it "isn't too bad", then the transformation like butterflies to saying it was a shrewd move and that Winger and Dawkins pulled off another master stroke. This happens basically every move the team makes, we have threads littered with the same flow. That said, it is hilarious to witness each and every time.

Dawkintology is real. Really real.

P.S. Fun fact, my brother-in-law has a Wizards podcast that gets a decent amount of play, to the point Monumental Sports recently invited him and lots of other Wizards social media influencers to a schmoozing event at Cap One Arena. Which is to say, don't believe everything you hear from the talking heads because they are actively being schmoozed by the evil Monumental Sports. Btw, my brother-and-law is a great person and beyond corruption from Teddy and Wingers' minions, he just went for some free apps and drinks.

Yeah because Wizards GM and the presidency of the United States are equal in terms of gravity and importance, and one should treat those two offices with the exact same level of skepticism.

Some people give the front office and Dawkins the benefit of the doubt because they want to be hopeful, and because at the end of the day, NBA basketball really isn’t that serious.

You throw fits about the front office and belittle people who don’t because you are a blowhard, and because Deni Avidja is the most important person in your life.

[9 and 20]

Why?

They traded five draft picks for a 33-year-old, injury-prone player who has publicly expressed skepticism about being here and needs a new contract.

They signed 28-year-old Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension just five months after he was traded for expiring contracts.

They traded away one of the best young players in franchise history for Bub Carrington and what projects to be a mid-first-round pick in 2029.

They hired Brian Keefe and have kept him. Is anyone around the league talking about Keefe as one of the NBA’s brightest new head coaches?

Yes, they’re intentionally rebuilding. But since this front office took over, the Wizards are 50–196.

Everyone agrees the previous roster needed to be torn down. That doesn’t automatically mean this rebuild has been executed at an elite level.

So why does this front office get the benefit of the doubt on every single decision? And why are people trying to police other opinions on a fan message board forum

shush... they will accuse us of

It's eerily similar to the mentality MAGA has when it comes to Trump (this isn't to bring politics into this thread, just to make the comparison of unwavering devotion). A huge swath on this board is willing to wear their mental gymnastics badge as a thing of honor no matter the move the front office makes, literally nothing can sway them at this point except a decades worth of waiting.

Perfect example is the Trae Young extension, the first reaction is almost near, unanimous scorn, then within a few hours of scrolling on Twitter, most find someone that eases their torment, to tell them what they want to hear in that it "isn't too bad", then the transformation like butterflies to saying it was a shrewd move and that Winger and Dawkins pulled off another master stroke. This happens basically every move the team makes, we have threads littered with the same flow. That said, it is hilarious to witness each and every time.

Dawkintology is real. Really real.

P.S. Fun fact, my brother-in-law has a Wizards podcast that gets a decent amount of play, to the point Monumental Sports recently invited him and lots of other Wizards social media influencers to a schmoozing event at Cap One Arena. Which is to say, don't believe everything you hear from the talking heads because they are actively being schmoozed by the evil Monumental Sports. Btw, my brother-and-law is a great person and beyond corruption from Teddy and Wingers' minions, he just went for some free apps and drinks.

I think the way this is reminiscent of Trump is the derangement syndrome from some fans ever since the Deni trade. Deni derangement syndrome, if you will - everything viewed as a disaster through the lens of the deni trade.

edit - not a trump fan and this isn't about politics, either!

[dckingsfan]

shush... they will accuse us of

It's eerily similar to the mentality MAGA has when it comes to Trump (this isn't to bring politics into this thread, just to make the comparison of unwavering devotion). A huge swath on this board is willing to wear their mental gymnastics badge as a thing of honor no matter the move the front office makes, literally nothing can sway them at this point except a decades worth of waiting.

Perfect example is the Trae Young extension, the first reaction is almost near, unanimous scorn, then within a few hours of scrolling on Twitter, most find someone that eases their torment, to tell them what they want to hear in that it "isn't too bad", then the transformation like butterflies to saying it was a shrewd move and that Winger and Dawkins pulled off another master stroke. This happens basically every move the team makes, we have threads littered with the same flow. That said, it is hilarious to witness each and every time.

Dawkintology is real. Really real.

P.S. Fun fact, my brother-in-law has a Wizards podcast that gets a decent amount of play, to the point Monumental Sports recently invited him and lots of other Wizards social media influencers to a schmoozing event at Cap One Arena. Which is to say, don't believe everything you hear from the talking heads because they are actively being schmoozed by the evil Monumental Sports. Btw, my brother-and-law is a great person and beyond corruption from Teddy and Wingers' minions, he just went for some free apps and drinks.

I think the way this is reminiscent of Trump is the derangement syndrome from some fans ever since the Deni trade. Deni derangement syndrome, if you will - everything viewed as a disaster through the lens of the deni trade.

edit - not a trump fan and this isn't about politics, either!

I think it started before Deni with the FA signings. And then has progressed well past with the Trae signing.

What is also interesting is that some that have critiqued some of the Dawkins moves have also praised many of the Dawkins moves. Interesting, no?

[Benjammin]

I did not have Trump and Will Dawkins connected two days after the Wizards selected AJ on my bingo card. To recap, the AJ pick (sorry DP stans) was perfectly reasonable. Trading two late second round picks to move up to pick the guy they wanted (who will be a two-way guy anyway) was perfectly reasonable. Signing Trae to that contract was a D move but is not crippling. Now if they extend AD (especially without him being healthy and balling out, but even then they really shouldn't) that would be an F-------.

[dckingsfan]

I hate the Trae deal but that is a separate issue. This FO has a pretty good draft record. The Bub pick was bad with Ware and McCain going right afterwards, but overall i think they've done a good job so i am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on a 2nd round guy i am not familiar with. I dont care what his stats look like.

Yeah, posted something earlier to the affect of as bad as this FO is with FA signings that are even better than that at drafting.

So, they should indeed be given a wide margin on their picks. Not sure this one will be very good - but it is a second round pick. Just wish I hadn't watched the 2nd round as it turned out to be a nothing burger for the Wiz.

[dckingsfan]

... Signing Trae to that contract was a D move but is not crippling...

Why not just say what it is - it was a stupid FA signing.

[tontoz]

I suspect they will be more stingy with FA contracts when they aren't struggling to meet the cap floor.

[9 and 20]

Unfortunately, it looks like the Lakers signed Robbie Avila, AKA Cream Abdul Jabbar, AKA Larry Nerd, AKA Milk Chamberlain, AKA Snackquille O'neal, AKA Shaquille Oatmeal. Dude was a beast.

[9 and 20]

AJ is probably the most physically gifted player we've had since Webber. Kwame was big and strong and fast not super coordinated. Maybe Sheed but he was only here for a minute. Wall and Gil were both big for their positions but Dybantsa is just big without qualifiers. Russ was old when he got here.

[Benjammin]

... Signing Trae to that contract was a D move but is not crippling...

Why not just say what it is - it was a stupid FA signing.

It was a stupid FA signing for the amount they paid, hence a D. When the conventional wisdom was it would be 3 for 120 it was a B move. More money and an addiitonal year and it's a D move. Full disclosure I hated the move at the time and the quotes are easily findable. But it won't be the difference between re-signing our young players or not.

AD would be a different story. This team with an AD extension is simply waiting for its young players to leave with a few exceptions.

[prime1time]

... Signing Trae to that contract was a D move but is not crippling...

Why not just say what it is - it was a stupid FA signing.

Many people thought the Brunson signing was stupid. I want to see this team play together.

[Paris41]

Some people give the front office and Dawkins the benefit of the doubt because they want to be hopeful, and because at the end of the day, NBA basketball really isn’t that serious.

You throw fits about the front office and belittle people who don’t because you are a blowhard, and because Deni Avidja is the most important person in your life.

Everyone on this board “wants to be hopeful”. But we’re also fans of a franchise that hasn’t won 50 games in a season in more than 45 years.

Neither Dawkins nor Winger had previously been the top basketball executive with final say over an NBA franchise before coming to Washington. Wanting them to succeed is one thing. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on every single decision before they’ve proven anything is another.

[Paris41]

Yeah, posted something earlier to the affect of as bad as this FO is with FA signings that are even better than that at drafting.

So, they should indeed be given a wide margin on their picks. Not sure this one will be very good - but it is a second round pick. Just wish I hadn't watched the 2nd round as it turned out to be a nothing burger for the Wiz.

In saying this front office deserves a wide margin for error with its draft picks, would you characterize its drafting record as elite?

[prime1time]

Some people give the front office and Dawkins the benefit of the doubt because they want to be hopeful, and because at the end of the day, NBA basketball really isn’t that serious.

You throw fits about the front office and belittle people who don’t because you are a blowhard, and because Deni Avidja is the most important person in your life.

Everyone on this board “wants to be hopeful”. But we’re also fans of a franchise that hasn’t won 50 games in a season in more than 45 years.

Neither Dawkins nor Winger had previously been the top basketball executive with final say over an NBA franchise before coming to Washington. Wanting them to succeed is one thing. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on every single decision before they’ve proven anything is another.

What does the last 45 years have to do with Winger and Dawkins?

[bsilver]

shush... they will accuse us of

It's eerily similar to the mentality MAGA has when it comes to Trump (this isn't to bring politics into this thread, just to make the comparison of unwavering devotion). A huge swath on this board is willing to wear their mental gymnastics badge as a thing of honor no matter the move the front office makes, literally nothing can sway them at this point except a decades worth of waiting.

Perfect example is the Trae Young extension, the first reaction is almost near, unanimous scorn, then within a few hours of scrolling on Twitter, most find someone that eases their torment, to tell them what they want to hear in that it "isn't too bad", then the transformation like butterflies to saying it was a shrewd move and that Winger and Dawkins pulled off another master stroke. This happens basically every move the team makes, we have threads littered with the same flow. That said, it is hilarious to witness each and every time.

Dawkintology is real. Really real.

P.S. Fun fact, my brother-in-law has a Wizards podcast that gets a decent amount of play, to the point Monumental Sports recently invited him and lots of other Wizards social media influencers to a schmoozing event at Cap One Arena. Which is to say, don't believe everything you hear from the talking heads because they are actively being schmoozed by the evil Monumental Sports. Btw, my brother-and-law is a great person and beyond corruption from Teddy and Wingers' minions, he just went for some free apps and drinks.

I think the way this is reminiscent of Trump is the derangement syndrome from some fans ever since the Deni trade. Deni derangement syndrome, if you will - everything viewed as a disaster through the lens of the deni trade.

edit - not a trump fan and this isn't about politics, either!

We’ve had a Deni truce. Apparently, you’re not happy with that and need the last word.

[Paris41]

What does the last 45 years have to do with Winger and Dawkins?

Who hired Dawkins and Winger?

[dckingsfan]

Yeah, posted something earlier to the affect of as bad as this FO is with FA signings that are even better than that at drafting.

So, they should indeed be given a wide margin on their picks. Not sure this one will be very good - but it is a second round pick. Just wish I hadn't watched the 2nd round as it turned out to be a nothing burger for the Wiz.

In saying this front office deserves a wide margin for error with its draft picks, would you characterize its drafting record as elite?

I would characterize it as really solid. They certainly are above average - IMO. Picks I liked: Tre, Riley, Sarr, Bilal, Kyshawn, Vuk

Not so much: Bub

That is a pretty solid group, IMO.

Whereas the FA signings are well below average, IMO. I would rather they just stick with what they do well.

[dckingsfan]

Some people give the front office and Dawkins the benefit of the doubt because they want to be hopeful, and because at the end of the day, NBA basketball really isn’t that serious.

You throw fits about the front office and belittle people who don’t because you are a blowhard, and because Deni Avidja is the most important person in your life.

Everyone on this board “wants to be hopeful”. But we’re also fans of a franchise that hasn’t won 50 games in a season in more than 45 years.

Neither Dawkins nor Winger had previously been the top basketball executive with final say over an NBA franchise before coming to Washington. Wanting them to succeed is one thing. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on every single decision before they’ve proven anything is another.

What does the last 45 years have to do with Winger and Dawkins?

Context.