With Nos. 6, 18 choices, there’s little certainty
The second phase of the Wizards’ rebuilding process hasn’t unfolded as fortuitously as the first. As a result, the next step is much less certain.
With the Nos. 6 and 18 picks in the first round, the Wizards face some potentially tough choices at the 2011 NBA Draft. Washington has multiple needs even if it can’t fill the most important one: adding a frontcourt franchise cornerstone to put alongside John Wall. The point guard was an easy choice with the No. 1 overall pick a year ago.
| 2011 NBA Draft |
| When » Thursday, 7:30 p.m. |
| Where » Prudential Center, |
| Newark, N.J. |
| TV » ESPN |
| Top 10 prospects |
| Draft order (Cleveland needs a point guard) and potential trades will determine how the 2011 NBA Draft ultimately unfolds, but these players ought to be the first 10 chosen: |
| 1. Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona |
| Concern about his tweener status misses how efficient, powerful and dominant he was during a compelling college campaign second only to Kemba Walker’s. |
| 2. Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke |
| Did a little of everything for Duke before he went down injured but not considered to be in the same class of point guards as Derrick Rose and John Wall. |
| 3. Enes Kanter, C, Turkey |
| Big and skilled inside the paint and can stroke from distance, too. He has the tools needed to become a force in the lane. Just hasn’t played much — for almost two years. |
| 4. Kemba Walker, PG, UConn |
| During Connecticut’s run to the title, he showed his ability to come through in the clutch. He can shoot, he can distribute and he thrives on being doubted. |
| 5. Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego St. |
| The epitome of a can’t miss role player. Leonard may never be an All-Star, but he’s built to defend and rebound, and every team could use him. |
| 6. Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky |
| Good size, athleticism, basketball IQ and maturity will make Knight successful in the NBA. Timing — in other words, draft withdrawals — makes him one of the top 10 players on the board. |
| 7. Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic |
| It has been said before, but Vesely could have been a first-round pick last year. Has athleticism and personality that will make for an entertaining addition. |
| 8. Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania |
| His buyout deal could prevent him from playing in the NBA next season, but he’s widely considered the true center with the best all-around potential in this class. |
| 9. Chris Singleton, SF, Florida St. |
| In a draft with a lack of seasoning, Singleton stands out for his three seasons with the Seminoles and a build to lock down opponents both inside and out. |
| 10. Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas |
| He’s got some growing to do muscle-wise, but he can make an immediate impact with his energy and rebounding. |
“I liked the draft better last year, when we could just pick whoever we wanted. This year, it’s a little bit different,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said Tuesday. “Right now, in all likelihood, we’re going to be picking from where we are right now. We’re comfortable with that. But if the right opportunity presents itself and we think it can help us short term and long term, that’s something we’ll look at.”
Status quo — barring a late trade — feels like a consolation prize after last season, when the Wizards defied the odds to win the draft lottery. This year, they fell to sixth. That was just far enough to remove any certainty of which players will be available in what is expected to be a fluid draft.
And that’s after the threat of a lockout drove multiple top prospects back to school, thinning the choices for the Wizards.
What’s likely to be left? Not any big man who is revered the way Wall was 12 months ago.
To get Turkish center Enes Kanter, who is coming off an ineligible year at Kentucky, the Wizards may have to sacrifice their No. 18 pick. If not, Czech swingman Jan Vesely has been strongly linked with Washington, as has San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard.
“If somebody slips to us — and it could be a guard that we have ranked a lot higher — that’s someone we could take a close look at,” Grunfeld said. “But in all likelihood, we’ll be looking for a frontcourt player if possible.”
Things could get murkier once the Wizards make their second pick, and they also have the fourth pick in the second round (No. 34 overall). Choosing 20-year-old Lithuanian 7-footer Donatas Motiejunas, who worked out in Washington on Wednesday, seems too obvious for Grunfeld, who is adept at holding his cards close.
Plus, the Wizards need immediate contributors — even if they are complementary — not projects. Past Grunfeld picks such as Nick Young, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche have been long on upside but have required years to develop and mature.
“We’re looking for players that are team players, first and foremost,” Grunfeld said. “Winning is important to these players. Willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the team. And players that we feel can fit into what we want to do.”
