Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards Rewind: Ranking the past five lottery selections

By Jack Skolnik

NEW YORK - JUNE 24: NBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo prior to the NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JUNE 24: NBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo prior to the NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards Otto Porter Jr
Washington Wizards Otto Porter Jr (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

4. Otto Porter Jr. (2013 NBA Draft)

Lottery odds: 8th best odds (3.5%)
Selection: 3rd overall

The 2013 draft was a rather interesting one, both for the NBA and the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, it was slightly underwhelming.

The Wizards were luckily able to jump up from eighth to third in the draft. But there was no real consensus on who the top player was. The Cleveland Cavaliers shocked everyone by selecting Anthony Bennett first overall. Then the Orlando Magic took Victor Oladipo, someone many fans hoped would fall to the Wizards.

The Washington Wizards then selected Otto Porter Jr out of Georgetown with the third overall pick. He was expected to be a nice addition to a frontcourt that needed some depth after the Wizards solidified their backcourt the year before. Porter came into the NBA as a long-armed defender who was expected to develop into a three and D prospect that would be able to do a little bit of everything.

At the time of the pick, most fans and analysts were pleased. But Porter soon struggled to meet expectations. While he never became the final piece of a ‘Big 3′ with Wall and Bradley Beal, Porter had a decent career in Washington.

Porter was in Washington for six seasons and averaged 10.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 40 percent from three during his tenure. After a slow start to his career, Porter became a solid compliment to Wall and Beal. During the 2016-2017 season, Porter shot nearly 44 percent from three, helping the Wiz to their best finish in over 40 years.

That season was good enough for the Wizards to bet big on Porter’s potential, and they offered him a max contract that summer. He accepted. But he never lived up to that payday.

While the numbers were solid for Porter, it was his passivity that drove Wizards fans crazy. And it was his ultimate downfall in D.C. Although he was a great shooter and competent scorer, he was never one to force the issue on the offensive end.

Porter was a solid player who is very polarizing among Wizards’ fans. He was not the best lottery selection the Wizards have had in recent memory, but he was not the worst.

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