NBA Draft 2014: Washington Wizards Trade Jordan Clarkson to the Los Angeles Lakers

Prior to the NBA Draft, I jokingly stated that the Washington Wizards would draft “cash considerations” with the 46th overall pick. As it turns out, I was correct.

In one of the deepest NBA Drafts in quite some time, the Washington Wizards have decided to trade Jordan Clarkson to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for cash. The Wizards, who could’ve used the second round selection to fill a need or select the best player available (Patric Young, Cory Jefferson, Russ Smith, C.J. Fair, James Michael McAdoo and plenty more prospects were available), will not be choosing a player after all. Washington worked out a large number of prospects that were expected to get picked late in the second round, that ended up getting undrafted, so don’t be surprised if they land in Washington during Summer League.

Even though Washington did not get a pick in this year’s NBA Draft, they will get a chance to look at multiple prospects who will go undrafted in summer league and pre-season. The Wizards currently have five players under contract and I expect them to re-sign all of their key free agents this summer. Second round selections don’t typically contribute during their rookie seasons and the Wizards will undoubtedly look to add more players via free agency. It would’ve been nice if the Wizards took advantage of a deep talent pool, but I guess they have other plans in mind.

So, there’s that.

I’m sure most Wizards fans, like myself, aren’t very pleased with the outcome, but as I pointed out earlier, the team will still get an opportunity to get a glimpse of undrafted talent during summer league.

What are your thoughts on the trade? Let me know in the comments.