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NBA Draft 2015: Washington Wizards Draft Predictions Round Table

By Ben Mehic

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We’re just a day away from the 2015 NBA Draft.

Although the Washington Wizards don’t have a lottery pick, this year’s draft is deep with talent. Ernie Grunfeld will have the chance to add another young piece with the 19th overall selection that will hopefully become a part of their core along side John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter.

Since they don’t have a top pick, Washington has gotten a first-hand look at a number of players during predraft workouts that were mocked anywhere from the top-10 at one point to the mid 20’s.

Jerian Grant, Delon Wright, Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, R.J. Hunter among others have all visited the Wizards.

For the first time in a very long time, no one really knows what the Wizards are going to do on Thursday night. Osman Baig (@obtoojiveforyou), David Statman (@DJStatman77) and John Cannady (@John_Cannady) joined me in predicting who the Wizards will select tomorrow night, assuming they keep their pick.

Ben Mehic:

Let’s face it: Grunfeld doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to selecting the right player during the draft. However, it’s going to be extremely difficult to botch the 19th overall pick.

Assuming that Bobby Portis is off the board, since I believe he’s atop their list, I think Grunfeld will settle for arguably the next best “stretch four”.

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I’m not a huge fan of this pick, but most mock drafts had the Wizards picking UCLA forward Kevon Looney.

So, that’s who I think Washington will pick on Thursday night.

Looney is a slim, skilled forward who’s capable of playing both positions. Similar to Porter, Looney probably won’t be able to contribute a lot during his rookie season.

Instead, Washington will have to wait a season or two before Looney becomes a rotation player.

The 6’9″ forward played point guard during his senior season in high school. When I watch him play, he reminds me of a young Lamar Odom. He shot nearly 42 percent from three during his single season with the Bruins, so he is capable of spacing the floor for Washington’s guards.

I’d hope Portis is on the board, and although he wouldn’t be my pick, I think Grunfeld is going to take Looney.

Prediction: Kevon Looney

Osman Baig:

I’m doing my best to interpret the Washington Wizards’ draft board based on the various reports we’ve received from the guys on the beat, and I think the board shakes out like this: 1. Bobby Portis, 2. Justin Anderson, 3. RJ Hunter, 4. Jerian Grant.

Of these four, Bobby Portis is the only one who projects as a starter in the near future but the other three can be valuable high-end rotation players. All four are sophomores or juniors who shouldn’t have a steep learning curve.

Who do they draft then? Kevon Looney. Why? Simple, he’s probably my least favorite player in the draft so why wouldn’t he be the pick?

In all seriousness, Looney does have potential and offers a unique skill set that this team lacks, but does he have the strength necessary to compete against the Tristan Thompsons and Joakim Noahs of the Eastern Conference? I’m not sure and I have concerns he may fit into that dreaded “tweener” category.

If Bobby Portis is off the board the paranoid Wizards fan in me is concerned Ernie will reach for need and draft Kevon Looney.

Wildcard- Sam Dekker (if he slips)

Prediction: Kevon Looney

John Cannady:

During the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the Washington Wizards found a level of success that they were lacking during the regular season by using veteran Paul Pierce as a “stretch 4” and playing Otto Porter at the 3 spot.

While the Wizards ultimately lost the Atlanta series, the media, fans and even the coaches said that small-ball may be the way the team plays in the future.

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Fast forward to the upcoming NBA Draft, many basketball heads are suggesting that GM Ernie Grunfeld draft a stretch 4 like player for the Wizards to replicate their playoff success.

Big guys that can shoot like Bobby Portis from the University of Arkansas or freshman Kevon Looney from UCLA are names that have come in to work out for the Wizards.

However, my pick would be: Jerian Grant from Notre Dame.

During the regular season, the Wizards bench wasn’t able to keep the momentum the starting five created in games during the regular season and that was mainly due to the second five not having a scorer/creator on the floor. Grant is capable of coming in and being just that.

He would be able to not only come in to back up John Wall at point if needed; he could also sub in for Bradley Beal at the 2 spot. The Wizards did pick up Ramon Sessions in a mid-season trade with Sacramento to serve as Wall’s back up in the playoffs and he did a pretty decent job.

Coach Randy Wittman even used Sessions and Wall on the floor at the same time whenever he wanted to give Beal a rest during the playoffs. With Grant, Coach Wittman would have the luxury of resting his ‘House of Guards’ duo without too much of a scoring drop-off.

Prediction: Jerian Grant

David Statman:

This is one of the deepest drafts I’ve seen in years, and there are a ton of guys who could be there at 19 who I really like.

Justin Anderson. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Montrezl Harrell. Delon Wright. But if I’m the Washington Wizards, I’m not sticking around at 19. I’m moving up, and there’s one man on my wish list – Bobby Portis.

The Wizards desperately need to retool their frontcourt, and Portis has excellent two-way potential and a growing ability to stretch the floor. This is a modern big man who could fit into just about any style of ball, whose destiny it is to become the player that Andray Blatche should have been.

I’m all in, baby. I’m unreasonably hyped for the Bobby Portis Era, BABY. Let’s do this.

Prediction: Bobby Portis

(editor’s note: we didn’t predict Washington’s 49th overall pick, ’cause well, you know. #cashconsiderations)

Next: Wiz of Awes Mock Draft 2.0: Complete 1st Round

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