The Washington Wizards have plenty of decisions to make ahead of the NBA Draft after the team was dealt the No. 6 overall pick.
Washington will have the option to target one of the best available guard's remaining at No. 6, but they'll also likely have the choice to select the top available big man on the board with teams ahead of them rumored to be targeting the top backcourt options and wings.
Obviously, drafting a guard such as Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson is likely the most likely outcome for the Wizards, but it won't be a complete shock to see Washington to keep their options open, which includes considering the addition of a center to pair alongside Alex Sarr.
If the Wizards were to go that route, which big man would make the most sense, Derik Queen or Khalam Maluach?
The case for Queen
Derik Queen will be an interesting prospect to watch develop at the next level. The big man is not only a Maryland native, but he's one of the most talented prospects to come out of the DMV area in quite some time.
At 6-foot-10, Queen has the size to be a dominant threat in the paint, but he also has the touch as a shooter that very well could allow for him to develop a reliable shot in the coming years. If he's able to develop a consistent jumper and become the stretch big that is so popular in today's NBA, the fit alongside Sarr could be dangerous for opposing team's as they grow together.
Queen will almost surely have an adjustment period when he gets in the league, like most prospects do when they get to this level. However, his ties close to home would give him the extra boost of motivation to put in the work and help his hometown team return to relevancy.
The case for Maluach
Khaman Maluach is one of the most raw prospects in this entire draft class considering he didn't begin playing basketball until the age of 13. Despite that, the South Sudan native managed to earn an offer from Duke as five-star prospect for a reason, and in large part due to his versatility as a defender.
At 7-foot-2, Maluach's size alone is intriguing, but his potential as not only a defensive anchor, but with his flashes on offense could make him one of the most fun players to watch develop. The big man averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 71.2% from the field during his freshman year at Duke.
Maluach without a doubt would be a work in progress, but man, if he ever develops to his potential, he could truly be a difference-maker for the Wizards moving forward. Not to mention his fit alone next to Sarr would make the Wizards defensive front court one of the most feared in the league for years to come.