2021 NBA Draft: 3 Forwards the Washington Wizards could draft at #15

No. 1 – Trey Murphy III

Trey Murphy III has been shooting up draft boards lately, thanks to some impressive team workouts. Murphy III worked out for the Wizards as well, so it’s obvious there’s already some level of interest there. Washington is in dire need of a 3&D type player, and he fits that mold almost perfectly! Last season at Virginia, Murphy III averaged 11.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 1.2 APG in 29.6 mins per game. He shot an outstanding 43 percent from beyond the arc on 4.8 attempts per game as a Junior.

Standing at 6’7″, with a 7-foot wingspan and extremely quick feet, Murphy III also has the ability to guard positions 1-5. He shouldn’t have any problem switching onto guards in pick-and-roll situations at the next level because he moves well for his size. His competitive edge and defensive instincts are what set him apart from a lot of the other prospects in this draft because he never seems to give up on a play. Hustle and effort are two things that can’t be taught. Players have to be willing to do that on their own.

Murphy III is a fantastic prospect but there’s still a lot of room for improvement too. For one, his offensive repertoire could use some refining because he didn’t create many shots for himself at college. It wouldn’t surprise me if he spent the early part of his career as more of a spot-up shooter as he continues to round out his game. Murphy III could eventually become a 15-points-per-game scorer, but that may take some time. He still has to add more tools to his arsenal in order to be more of a threat on offense.

Adding a nice pull-up or mid-range shot to his bag would do wonders for him moving forward! Also, a better handle and crossover would help him attack the basket more often instead of settling for jumpers. By adding these elements to his game, Trey Murphy III could end up being a steal at pick #15. He’s not a complete player right now, but he would still come in and make an immediate impact if the Washington Wizards decided to draft him.