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2018 NBA Draft: Three Potential Draft Targets for Wizards

By Matt Levin

WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 25: Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld (left) and Wizards Coach Flip Saunders(right) pose for a photograph with their new point guard John Wall (center). Hundreds of fans and The Washington Wizards welcomes the arrival of its No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft John Wall. Photos were taken on June 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Marvin Joseph /The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 25: Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld (left) and Wizards Coach Flip Saunders(right) pose for a photograph with their new point guard John Wall (center). Hundreds of fans and The Washington Wizards welcomes the arrival of its No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft John Wall. Photos were taken on June 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Marvin Joseph /The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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"WASHINGTON, DC -JUNE 25: Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld (left) and Wizards Coach Flip Saunders(right) pose for a photograph with their new point guard John Wall (center). Hundreds of fans and The Washington Wizards welcomes the arrival of its No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft John Wall. Photos were taken on June 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Marvin Joseph /The Washington Post via Getty Images)"

The Washington Wizards control the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Here are three potential targets that they could draft in the first round.

The Washington Wizards control the 15th overall draft pick in the 2018 NBA draft. It is their first, first-round draft pick since 2015 after trading their pick each of the last two drafts. After a season full of high expectations which ended up falling well short of their goals, the Wizards could get a lot of help from the draft. Here are three potential targets the Wizards could draft in the first round.

Robert Williams – Center, Texas A&M

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for the block on Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman #12 of the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for the block on Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman #12 of the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

A key position to look at for the Wizards this offseason is at center. Marcin Gortat is entering the final year of his contract and could be put on the trading block. Also, questions remain about the future of Ian Mahinmi and his ridiculously big contract. With no real long term options at center, Robert Williams could be a huge addition. The six foot-ten center averaged 10.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game at Texas A&M last season. Williams also earned the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award. Williams is huge and physical. His presence in the paint can change the course of a game entirely. Teams believe Williams could be an instant starting center. However, scouts are worried that he will not tap into his full potential as his effort in games is inconsistent.

Zhaire Smith – Shooting Guard, Texas Tech

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith (2) drives past Villanova forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (21) during an Elite Eight matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 71-59. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith (2) drives past Villanova forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (21) during an Elite Eight matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 71-59. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Wizards bench has been a weakness for years now. However, Zhaire Smith could give the second-unit a huge boost. Last season at Texas Tech, Smith averaged 11.3 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Smith is most known for his defensive presence on the court. Last season he averaged 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, earning a  spot on the Big 12 All Defensive Team. He uses his 6-9 wingspan to hold his opponents in check.

However, Smith’s biggest weakness comes at the offensive end. He lacks the ability to create his own shot. However, Smith has the ability to finish if given an open look. Smith shot 45 percent from three and 55.6 percent from the field last season.

He is also known for his ability to posterize any opponent at the rim who stands in his way.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- Point Guard, Kentucky

ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket agains Barry Brown #5 Xavier Sneed of the Kansas State Wildcats the third round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket agains Barry Brown #5 Xavier Sneed of the Kansas State Wildcats the third round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

The Wizards have had success with Kentucky point guards in the past. Adding another one could be just the piece the Wizards need.

For many seasons now, the Wizards have struggled to find a solid and long-term solution at backup point guard. Adding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could finally bring some stability.

Last season at Kentucky, Alexander averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Alexander also was a second team All SEC honoree and was the SEC tournament MVP.

He has a great shot, shooting over 40 percent from three and his confidence continues to grow. His one downside is that he is an investment and it may take a couple of seasons for him to get big minutes. However, if Alexander avoids returning to his passive habits, he can become a valuable piece on the Wizards for years to come.

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