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Washington Wizards 2016 NBA Draft Predictions Roundtable

By Ben Mehic

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The Washington Wizards don’t have a pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean Ernie Grunfeld isn’t working the telephone to acquire one

The 2016 NBA Draft is today – Thursday, June 23rd.

We’re used to covering the draft from the Washington Wizards‘ perspective. Last year, when the Wizards had a late first round pick, we covered virtually every player that was projected to go in that area.

Of course, the Wizards moved up in the draft and acquired Kelly Oubre in a three team deal, who didn’t even work out for the team during the predraft process. And no, we didn’t cover him, thinking he wasn’t going to be available.

This year, we didn’t even bother covering the draft from the Wizards’ perspective because Ernie Grunfeld traded all the picks. In a deal that netted Washington Markieff Morris, the Wizards had parted ways with their ninth overall pick.

Washington, along with a handful of other teams, does not have a pick in this year’s draft. But that doesn’t mean they won’t get one.

There’s been some talk about whether or not the Wizards will end up buying a pick – likely a second round selection.

Since second round picks aren’t guaranteed contracts, the Wizards wouldn’t have to worry about losing cap space during free agency.

In 2015, the Wizards used their second round pick on Aaron White and stashed him overseas. They could do the same thing this year if they do end up purchasing a pick.

Before tonight’s festivities begin, I thought it would be a good idea to get predictions from some of our writers.

Will the Wizards decide not to participate or will they get a pick?

Osman Baig (@Obtoojiveforyou):

Going into the NBA Draft without any selections in either round is absolutely no fun.

I’m not complaining about the move that Washington made.

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I felt that given the perceived weakness of the draft and skill-set/contract that Markieff Morris has, it was a prudent decision on Washington’s part to part with their first round selection.

As far as tonight is concerned, I don’t expect any splash.

What we’ve learned about the Washington Wizards since Ted Leonsis has taken majority control is they are patient – maybe to a fault.

They won’t be pushed into action based on the activity of other teams and I think they’ve already come to terms with the notion that Markieff Morris was their first round pick.

I do expect, however, expect them to deviate from their meticulous approach and focus on free agency and buy into the second round of the draft.

With the number of roster spots they have open and lack of depth in the backcourt and up front, Washington moving back into the latter portion of the draft to pick up a developmental prospect and camp body seems reasonable.

My favorite prospect expected to be available in that portion of the draft is Khalil Felder, who looks like the next Isaiah Thomas (Boston Isaiah).

It’s not as fun as perhaps trading for Charlotte’s pick, which is rumored to be on the block to a team willing to take on Spencer Hawes or Jeremy Lamb’s contract, but it’s probably the right move for this team.

For two years their sights have been set on free agency this summer, so there’s no reason not to wait one more week before jumping into the fray.

John Cannady (@John_Cannady):

So far, the Washington Wizards have been quiet about any moves – almost too quiet.

We all know that Ernie Grunfeld and the front office have been planning for this 2016 free agency period for three years now. The team’s open secret was that it was putting all of his eggs in the #KD2DC basket.

While everything was going according to plan for the first couple of years ( NBA Playoffs, All-Star appearances, etc) those plans hit a few speed bumps for a variety of reasons.

Injuries, questionable free agent signings on short-term deals and most of all the lack of a system that maximized the talent on the team has hindered the team’s chances.

Throughout his tenor as the Wizards general manager, Grunfeld has never quite mastered the one thing that is supposed to build lower tier teams into contenders: the NBA Draft.

It is well documented that in his 20+ years as a general manager, Grunfeld has only drafted two All-Stars. However, Grunfeld has had some outstanding free agent signings and trades.

A lot of the deals that have been made were complete shocks to the fanbase and the basketball world itself.

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Some of the bigger moves included nabbing current starting center Marcin Gortat from Phoenix while trading away Emeka Okafor before the start of the 2013-2014 season.

Convincing future Hall-of-Famer Paul Pierce to spend a season in D.C. before the start of the 2014-15 season with awesome results was a shocker.

It’s safe to say that Grunfeld’s bread and butter is making deals behind the scenes rather than drafting an up-and-coming star out of college/overseas.

While it is true that he drafted John Wall and Bradley Beal, those were gifts/sureshots that fell into his and the Wizards’ lap.

I mentioned all of that to say that if the Washington Wizards make a move during the draft, it won’t be from actually drafting anyone – it would be dealing one of the (few) pieces that they have.

I feel that either Kelly Oubre or Otto Porter could be included in a move.

I know, I know. Both are good young players that are liked, but the Wizards don’t have any pieces to offer to “get in the game.”

I also think Grunfeld will try to grab a young or younger post player as insurance for Gortat.

Gortat does have less wear and tear on him than your average center in the NBA who is 30+ years old, but once again, he is 30+ years old.

Next: Complete History of Grunfeld's Draft Failures

So my prediction is that Grunfeld moves either Otto Porter or Kelly Oubre for either picks on the back half of the first round of the NBA draft or a younger big with promise, like Gorgui Dieng, for example.

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