Mar 22, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Cody Zeller (40) dunks against the James Madison Dukes in the second half during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeated James Madison 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

With the NBA Draft just weeks away, Wiz of Awes will be doing a mock draft, which we’ll break down each pick for every lottery team, including the Washington Wizards. [Completed Mock Draft: 1) Cleveland, 2) Orlando, 3) Washington Wizards, 4) Charlotte, 5) Phoenix, 6) New Orleans 7) Sacramento 8) Detroit 9) Minnesota ]

Ben Mehic:

10) Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

Basic Stats: 16.5 PPG, 8.1 REB, 1.3 AST, 1.3 BLK

Unlike former Maryland Terrapin Alex Len and various other big men in this years NBA Draft, Cody Zeller isn’t receiving much buzz surrounding the draft process. Even though Zeller was previously ranked first on most mock drafts prior to the NCAA season, Zeller’s stock plummeted during the course of the year.

Big men are always needed, which causes their stock to fluctuate on draft day. On occasion, a team picking high in the draft will likely gamble on a talented big man in the lottery, just for the sake of acquiring a talented big man. There are certainly a lack of skilled bigs in the league, which makes it much more possible for Cody Zeller to move up on draft boards on June 27th.

Regardless, if the draft unfolds as we currently have it, the Portland Trail Blazers have to take the best player available, that being Cody Zeller. The former Hoosier was exposed this past season at Indiana, struggling mightily against stronger defenders, making him virtually useless on the court. Zeller was essentially bullied on numerous occasions, making his vulnerabilities pretty evident. If Zeller was neutralized by stronger defenders in college, how will he be able to stack up against 7 footers in the best league in the world?

But…that still doesn’t change the fact that Zeller is one of the most offensively talented players in the draft. As I mentioned earlier, there aren’t many skilled big men in the NBA that possess the talent Zeller has. At just 20 years old, Zeller has the post moves of an established veteran player. His ability to stretch the floor a bit could certainly help him transition to the NBA, where offenses tend to rely on various pick and roll plays. In fact, I’ve seen comparisons likening Zeller to that of LaMarcus Aldridge, who would become his partner in crime in this particular scenario.

I realize that the Trail Blazers drafted Meyers Leonard 11th overall last season, but I don’t think have two good young big men is necessarily a bad problem to have. J.J Hickson is currently a freeagent, and the Blazers would have two legitimate replacement options with Leonard and Zeller. Not to mention, Zeller is an elite athlete which could certainly help compliment Aldridge. Zeller recorded a 35.5″ vertical leap at the NBA Draft combine, which is the highest vertical every recorded for a player 6’9 or taller in the last decade. Needless to say, his offensive skill combined with his ridiculous athleticism could make him a serious option right out of the gate.

With the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year at the helm, Portland is on their way towards future success. Adding another skilled big to play with Damian Lillard certainly couldn’t hurt.

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Chuck guard Bradley Beal (3) of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball against Team Shaq during the 1st half of the rising stars game at the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, Bradley Beal is supposed to be cleared for basketball activities by July 1st. Beal has been sidelined for nearly three months since being diagnosed with a stress injury, similar to that of John Wall, who missed a large portion of the season at the beginning of the year.

Lee also added that Bradley Beal may not participate in the NBA Summer League this season;

A person close to Beal maintained that it’s “too early to say” if he will be able to participate in summer league. Another added that “summer league is not imperative. There is a chance that he doesn’t” participate.

Washington has been cautious with Beal, especially since he’s been dealing with series of ankle sprains throughout the season. The Wizards obviously realize how important Beal is to their organization, and won’t rush him to participate in Summer League, which he was a part of last season.

Bradley Beal has also been invited to the Team-USA Mini Camp this summer, so I’ll be interested to see how his injury affects his status with the national team. John Wall has expressed interest in practicing with Beal over the off-season, so they’ll certainly have the opportunity to do so with the rest of the Team-USA invitees.

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Peyton Siva, who the Wizards reportedly express interest in, is a second round prospect. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

As luck would have it, the Washington Wizards moved up to the third slot in this upcoming NBA Draft, which ultimately turned our focus to some of the top prospects coming out of college.

With that said, the Washington Wizards also have two second round picks- No. 37 and No. 54, but are unlikely to take advantage of both selections. According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld will look into all scenarios regarding their two second round picks;

I don’t think we want to have three rookies on the roster next year. We’ll see what we do with those second-round picks and how they could become an asset. Maybe package them to move up a little bit…Most years there is some movement. I’m sure there will be a lot of discussion, a lot of speculation, a lot of rumors flying, but we feel comfortable wherever we end up that we’ll be able to find somebody to help us and do some things for us.

Washington hasn’t had much luck finding legitimate talent in the second round in quite some time, and their intentions of getting rid of the picks display their lack of willingness to look further down in the draft. Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack were both selected by Washington a few years ago, but they’ve since failed to leave a mark in the NBA. Shelvin Mack, who was the Wizards’ second round pick, is no longer with the organization, while Singleton has had trouble developing enough to get consistent playing time.

Last season, the Wizards decided to stash away their second round pick by selecting Tomáš Satoranský out of the Czech Republic, knowing that he won’t be contributing to the team in the near future. Even though the Wizards have built a track record of failed experiments in the second round, Washington has the chance to acquire several pieces in this years draft who could possibly become a part of their foundation.

Washington needs to sign a backup point guard this off-season, since A.J. Price is a freeagent, and their desire for a stretch forward could probably be obtained through the NBA Draft. Washington’s salary cap situation is in a state of flux and with virtually no tradeable assets on the roster (besides John Wall, Bradley Beal and their lottery pick of course), the second round of the draft will become a viable solution to some of their glaring problems.

Washington was reportedly very high on former Louisville guard and reigning National Champion, Peyton Siva, who could certainly become a spark plug off the bench. Bucknell’s Mike Muscala was also very enthusiastic  about the possibility of teaming up with John Wall in the nation’s capital. Muscala is also a second round prospect who could fit right in with their cast, since he has the ability to play in the post as well as shoot the ball from the perimeter.

Don’t get me wrong; if the Wizards could package the picks in exchange for an established veteran player or to move up in the draft, they should certainly explore their options. But that still doesn’t change the fact that they shouldn’t immediately discount the second round.

I realize that finding a gem in the second round of a “weak” NBA Draft is very unlikely, but I much rather see the team go in that direction, rather than selling the picks or just stashing them away for a player who’ll probably never put on a Wizards jersey. It may seem infeasible to some, but it’s certainly been done before. Chandler Parsons, who has become a key player for the Houston Rockets, was selected 38th overall in 2011. There are a number of players I could mention, all of which have been taken in the second round. It’s unlikely that the Wizards find a steal in the second round, but they have nothing to lose by trying to do so.

Do you have any favorite second round prospects? Let me know in the comments section below.