The most notable thing about Tomas Satoransky’s workout for the Wizards last month was he was a friend of Jan Vesely’s. Given the benefit of the doubt, the Czech point guard also may have been the second-best international prospect in the NBA Draft — except that this year’s class wasn’t exactly known for international prospects.
In fact, it was actually deep with NBA-ready college players — deep enough that first-round talent was available when the Wizards went on the clock with the 32nd pick, the second choice in the second round.
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Instead, team president Ernie Grunfeld identified Satoransky as a Euro stash asset who could be left overseas, a player who might offer the Wizards some future value.
When did the Wizards get this talented? What about taking someone who could have challenged immediately for a roster spot? Only hours before, team owner Ted Leonsis said a fifth straight season in the lottery would be “unacceptable.”
“[A different second-round pick] might have been able to make the team,” Grunfeld said. “But we’re going to wait to see if we can add some veteran players to the team, to see who else is out there as far as a free agent is concerned. But this is a very good prospect we’re talking about, a prospect for down the road.”
Grunfeld hasn’t excelled with his second-round picks or in taking European players in either round. Vladimir Veremeenko was a mere throw-in as part of the deal that brought Kirk Hinrich to Washington in 2010. Oleksiy Pecherov was a bust. Vesely has been underwhelming, though he may improve with a full offseason and a countryman as a teammate.
Washington wasted a chance to get DeJuan Blair in 2009; he has had three solid seasons in San Antonio. This year, Darius Miller or Draymond Green could have challenged Chris Singleton; Tyshawn Taylor or Doron Lamb could have challenged Shelvin Mack. Sure, the Wizards don’t have many minutes available, but even if those players eventually were cut, at least the Wizards would have the satisfaction of certainty.
Satoransky is still unknown — just as he was during his D.C. visit last month — and Grunfeld’s track record doesn’t inspire confidence that he will provide much of anything down the road, either.
– Craig Stouffer
