2020 NBA Draft: 5 Guards that the Washington Wizards could draft at #9

The Washington Wizards have a high-powered backcourt, but some of the guards in the 2020 NBA Draft are too talented not to consider if they’re on the board at #9.

After finishing last season 25-47, it is apparent that the Washington Wizards are not a perfect team. Far from it, in fact. But if there’s one area of the roster they seem to have figured out, it’s their backcourt. With John Wall scheduled to come back to the court this season for the first time since December 2018, the Wizards starting guard situation seems to be the thing they have figured out for sure. At least for now.

So they probably shouldn’t be looking to select a guard in the 2020 NBA Draft…right? Not so fast. Despite having a strong starting backcourt, the Wizards shouldn’t ignore the guards available in this year’s draft class. While a big man or a wing might make more sense considering how this roster looks right now, an extra ball-handler might help Wall ease back into things. Besides, Wall and Beal won’t be around forever. Depending on how the top eight picks shake out, the Wizards might want to bolster their backcourt.

Here are five guards that the Washington Wizards could take in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Killian Hayes

Will the Wizards take foreign players in back to back drafts? A draft removed from taking Japan’s Rui Hachimura, France’s Killian Hayes, could add a little more international flavor to the team.

Despite just recently turning 19 years old, Hayes has an impressive and fairly refined game. Standing 6’5, he has the size to be a combo guard but is most comfortable as a pass-first point guard. His 6’8 wingspan will help him overwhelm opposing point guards on the defensive end, too.

Hayes’ best quality is his floor vision (6.2 assists per game). Whether he’s in a pick and roll situation, running in transition, or looking for teammates on the perimeter in the halfcourt, Hayes can seemingly always find the open man. A few years under John Wall’s tutelage could turn Hayes into a playmaking extraordinaire.

His creativity is not limited to his passing, either, as Hayes can score at all three levels. While playing with Ratiopharm Ulm during the 2019-20 EuroCup, Hayes averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 39.0 percent from three, and 90.9 percent from the foul line.

But there are still a few signs of youth. Hayes struggles with fouls and turnovers, and he has a hard time using his off-hand. Fortunately, it’s nothing he can’t figure out.