Washington Wizards: 4 realistic targets for the 2020 NBA Draft

Onyeka Okongwu, USC, Big

Sticking with the defensive side of the basketball, the next player on our list is another defensive expert.

Onyeka Okongwu out of USC is another player who would be an instant upgrade for the Wizards defense. He’s an athletic big who uses his size and speed to create a lot of difficulties inside.

From day one, Okonguqu would fill a huge hole for the Wizards defense in that he is a high-end rim protector.

Although just 6’9, Okongwu uses his length to block a lot of shots. It’s one of his strengths. The Wizards, as we know, had a lot of issues this past season with protecting the paint, and Okongwu would instantly make this instantly improve their ability to defend down low.

Okongwu also has the potential to be a quality rim runner. His athleticism and length would make him the perfect recipient of lobs in transition.  In the halfcourt, he is solid in the pick and roll game. You could not ask for a much better pairing to play with point guard John Wall.

Okongwu’s most significant question marks are similar to Okoro’s. Although a lob threat and good in the pick and roll, Okonwu has to polish up his fundamentals, particularly in his shot selection.

He also looks like he goes a little bit TOO fast at times, which can cause young guys to try to do a little too much. So he will need to focus on letting the game come to him and playing under control.

Overall, his game reminds me of a version of Miami’s Bam Adebayo. Both use their physicality and length to make up for their shorter frames. Both came out of school as stout interior defenders with high offensive ceilings that were not yet reached.

Okongwu will be a great pick for the Wizards if he falls to number nine. He can come in and be one of the teams’ best defenders from day one while developing on offense.