This post will outline various scenarios for the Wizards draft. Everyone knows that Anthony Davis is going to the Hornets at 1, the question is what do we do at 3? Another question is what do the Bobcats do at 2? Going by Jordan's track record there is a good chance he will blow the #2 pick so many scenarios are on the table. Scenario #1: Bobcats select Kidd Gilchrist
Kidd Gilchrist is one of the few guys in this draft I can be ok with the Wizards selecting. I prefer Singleton starting and so do the Wizards I believe, but I think we can survive with both guys starting. Kidd Gilchrist, Singleton, Seraphin, Nene, and Wall is a solid starting five. That five also gets at it on the defensive end and Crawford can come off the bench if we need a scoring punch. With Gilchrist off the board it makes it less likely the Wiz get a capable starter. Without Gilchrist I prefer the Wizards trade the pick.
Scenario #2: Bobcats select Harrison BarnesBarnes is a UNC guy just like Jordan. Don't dismiss the connection. Barnes is actually the player I prefer if the Wizards stay at 3, but I don't know if they will reach for him. With the Bobcats selecting Barnes, the Wizards should either select Kidd Gilchrist or trade the pick.
Scenario #3: Bobcats select Bradley Beal
I do not want to touch Bradley Beal with a 10 foot pole in this draft. This is the scenario I am wanting and the one I think has a realistic chance of happening. I still believe trading the pick has more value and the value of the pick goes up as Beal is picked. However, if the Wizards select Barnes or MKG I am ok with that.
Scenario #4: Bobcats select Andre Drummond
The scouting report on Drummond is big, strong, and talented. The knock is that he needs to be motivated all the time. Big, strong, talented, trouble being motivated, does that sound familiar? We don't need Blatche or Brown version 2 in Washington. This is the other player I don't want in Washington. We finally have a young team that works hard. The Wizards do not want to ruin that by bringing in more lazy players. If the Bobcats pick Drummond we should be thanking our lucky stars.
Scenario #5: Bobcats select Thomas RobinsonThe Bobcats may opt for the veteran leader in Thomas Robinson. That pick might work out for the Bobcats. They may decide that Robinson needs to be there so they have a player who is ready to contribute and get better. I wouldn't mind having Robinson on the team in Washington either. You don't want a bench guy with the #3 pick though. Again if Robinson fell the Wizards probably wouldn't take him. If the Bobcats do pick Robinson it won't really hurt the Wizards.
So since the best option appears to be trade, what are our options there?
On the trade front there isn't to much that meets the eye. A few teams have multiple 1sts, but not many.
Golden State has picks 7 and 30
Portland has picks 6 and 11
New Orleans has the best setup as they pick again at 10 after picking 1
Houston picks 14 and 16
Boston picks 21 and 22
Cleveland picks 4 and 24
Obviously the two of those that jump out as appealing are Portland with picks 6 and 11 and Cleveland at 4 and 24. Cleveland is appealing because if you can get an extra 1st rounder by trading one spot down in this draft it is huge. Portland would be even better. If we could get Barnes and Lamb, we'd be hitting the jackpot in my opinion. Not likely we get both, but we can compete with those two added to our rotation. Either one of those and Austin Rivers would be another way to go. I like the potential scoring from Rivers, Barnes, and Jeremy Lamb. Those three have more potential than the majority of draft picks as well.Perhaps the most likely trade down scenario is Golden State. Golden State is appealing. You pick up a back end first rounder and still get a shot at Barnes or Jeremy Lamb. You can probably trade the 7th pick down to 10 or so and get Austin Rivers also. Rivers may be the pick here to fit with Washington. I say that for a couple of reasons. Rivers is a scorer whom the Wiz desperately need. However, Rivers also passes the ball and is a good ball handler. Sometimes, Wall is most effective as a scorer and Rivers can reset the offense when things break down. He also is a hard worker and coach's son, so we don't have to worry about work ethic, attitude, and basketball IQ. Not only that, but he tries to make everyone around him better. With Rivers and Wall we would have an incredibly small backcourt, but they could work well off one another. The appeal of Rivers is one of the reasons I want to trade down. Rivers is a bit of a risky pick and picking up the other 1st rounder could be huge.
Another likely trade down partner is Houston. There is a slim chance Rivers will be there at 14. Is it worth risking if Rivers is our guy? Perhaps not, but there are decent players available at those spots. Rivers is currently projected 13. You never know if the Celtics will trade up to get Rivers to pair with Rondo. Perhaps, they are done with the big 3. The draft presents so many interesting scenarios. Currently the 14th pick is projected to be John Henson. Henson is the ACC defensive player of the year and will obviously contribute on that end. He could provide insurance for an injured Nene and again isn't one of the players you need to worry about with the smarts and effort. At 16 the North Carolina point guard is projected. By adding Marshall, the Wizards have their back up point guard. Marshall is a very good back up point at that. I'd be ok with landing those two. I would prefer Henson and Rivers if we went this route, but you never know what will happen. I think Boston is too far down to make it appealing unless they package a player. Should sure be interesting to watch. Soon, I will have other trade scenarios not involving picks. That one will be really interesting.
-Noland
