2020 NBA Draft: How top prospects could fit with the Washington Wizards

Anthony Edwards

Scouting Report:

The first thing that jumps off the page when you watch Anthony Edwards play is his athleticism. Thrown on the tape for two seconds, and you can see that this kid is built like a linebacker and moves like a sprinter. I have seriously never seen anything like it.

As a 6’5 225-pound guard, Edwards’ game is everything you would want it to be. Edwards uses his strength to get to the rim with ease, and he can out muscle just about anyone who gets in his way. That might not be true right away at the NBA level, but it won’t be long before he’s a bully.

For a player with his size and athleticism, Edwards also posseses a very good shooting touch. He has shown so far at Georgia and in high school that he can knock down the three. With his ability to move both with and without the ball in his hands, Edwards’ three-ball will be able a great asset in the NBA.

Edwards is a gifted scorer, and a lot of that is thanks to his ball-handling. I wouldn’t necessarily consider him a primary ball-handler for the most part, but if needed, he could absolutely get the job done. His handle is good enough to help him create his own shot.

Unlike with Ball, no one is questioning Edwards’ motor on the defensive end. Not only does Edwards never take a playoff, but he brings as much enthusiasm and fire on the defensive end as he does on the offensive end. Using his 6’9 wingspan, Edwards loves to disrupt passing lanes playing well as an on-ball and help defender. He is a solid rebounder, too, and will only improve as he continues to work towards the NBA level.

There really isn’t a lot to dislike about Edwards’ game. However, he becomes a bit stagnant without the ball in his hands and needs to learn to move with a little more purpose when he’s on the floor.

Anthony Edwards is, without a doubt, a top-3 player in the draft and has serious superstar potential. If he continues to work, it would not be any surprise to see him as a perennial All-Star in the future.

Fit with Washington Wizards:

Edwards’ strength and size would immediately improve the Wizards’ rebounding and defense regardless of who else is on the floor. And those are tow areas that need some major improvements.

Edwards’ activity on the defensive end is something that you hope can rub off on the rest of the guys. Watching the feistiness of Edwards and Moe Wagner on the floor together would be fun.

His ability to shoot the three also gives the Wall/Beal backcourt more space to maneuver. Plus it adds another weapon waiting on the perimeter to catch-and-shoot or slash. He could also be dangerous alongside a high IQ like Troy Brown’s.

Edwards’ ability to score would also help Rui Hachimura find his spots on the offensive end, whether it be in the midrange or creeping out to the three-point line. Even as a rookie, Edwards will demand defenses’ focus, which will free up teammates.

All in all, Edwards will help this team right away. With Edwards, Beal gets more chances working outside and gets to shoot more threes while Wall has another playmaker who can slash and get in on the action while he runs the show.

Anthony Edwards could be another franchise cornerstone that could help D.C. both in the short term and the long term.

Any of these three guys would be great choices for the Wizards. If one of them does come to DC, fans should be excited. As the season progresses, we’ll probably see other players jump out to potential star status, and as we know, things always change in draft rankings. Guys like James Wiseman or Rj Hampton could take another step and prove that they should be in the top pick conversation. Wizards fans, keep an eye on the college and international scene over these next few months. The next Wizard is in there somewhere.