The Washington Wizards are on pace to not only have one of the worst seasons in not only franchise history, but NBA history as a whole.
Prior to this horrid season from the Wizards, only the 2011 Charlotte Bobcats can relate to how struggling of a season it has been for Washington considering they finished with a historically bad record of 7-59 during the NBA lockout season.
Although the struggles of the season have been trying to both fans of the team, and the players on the roster, the light at the end of the tunnel so far this season has seemingly been the fact that the Wizards are on pace to earn the No. 1 overall pick with their 9-45 record.
If the Wizards were able to land the top pick, they'd have their pick of the litter of any of the players in this upcoming NBA Draft Class. At the top of the list is one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory (outside of Victor Wembanyama), Cooper Flagg.
Flagg is without a doubt the top prospect in this draft class, and all reports have indicated that he has a strong grip on being the No. 1 overall pick this offseason... if he enters the draft.
Entering the season, it was widely suspected that Flagg would be another one-and-done player, meaning he'd spend his freshman season proving why he's worthy of the top pick, and then he would enter the draft. However, while Duke continues to look like a top contender to win the National Championship this year, it seems that Flagg may be reconsidering his future plans.
Cooper Flagg hinted at returning to Durham for a second season in a recent interview https://t.co/xRCKXo7KQQ pic.twitter.com/ZD2YB0A8CT
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 15, 2025
If the Wizards do in fact earn the No. 1 pick and Flagg chooses to return to Duke for his sophomore season, Washington may miss out on one of the best prospects in the last decade.
That said, what will be the Wizards options if the Blue Devils star isn't available to draft this offseason.
G Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Height: 6'6"
2024-25 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 47.7% FG & 32.1% 3PT
Dylan Harper may arguably the best option behind Flagg in this upcoming draft class. The Rutgers guard has all the tools to be a star at the next level and he's consistently shown why scouts and teams are so high on him.
With the Wizards in the beginning stages of a rebuild, it wouldn't be a shock to see Washington take a young guard that has the potential to be their primary ball handler moving forward.
G/F Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Height: 6'10"
2024-25 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 46.6% FG & 36.6% 3PT
Ace Bailey is yet another big time prospect set to enter the draft from Rutgers. The 6-foot-10 freshman is listed as a guard, but he has the size to defend every position on the court. In addition to his size, the versatile talent has the skillset to score anywhere on the court and do everything that Flagg can do, and in some areas he does them better.
The one area that Bailey has yet to showcase is his ability to be a facilitator, but if he can grow as a playmaker, he has everything to be a star.
G VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Height: 6'5"
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 44.8% FG & 35.5% 3PT
VJ Edgecombe is another talented backcourt option that is projected to be a top 3 pick. The Baylor guard has flashed his potential on multiple occasions over the season for the Bears, and as he continues to develop, a spot with the Wizards could be ideal for his career.
As one of the best all-around prospects in the draft, it wouldn't be a shock to see him make a case for the No. 1 overall pick in the combine, especially if Flagg foregoes the draft.