The Washington Wizards were dealt a bad hand during the NBA Draft Lottery landing at No. 6 overall in the upcoming draft despite entering tied for the highest odds to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
Obviously, dropping out of the top five as a whole forced the Wizards to miss out on Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper as a whole barring an unforeseen trade up in the near future.
As a result, fans have began to pivot to another top prospect that is projected to be available when it's their turn to pick and that player has been Tre Johnson.
The Texas star is arguably the most explosive scorer in the NBA Draft and buzz around Washington has been that Johnson may be their top choice if they stand pat at No. 6 overall and make the pick.
However, the Wizards may be forced to pivot yet again if their back-up plan is off the board like he's projected to be in HoopsHype's recent NBA Mock Draft.
Nonetheless, here's a look at what Washington's draft haul looked like with Johnson already off the board at No. 6.
Round 1, Pick 6: G Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
The debate between Jeremiah Fears and Tre Johnson has been ongoing over the last couple of months as both guards put together impressive freshman campaigns at their respective programs.
Johnson offers a level of scoring explosiveness that stands out to team's looking to decide between the two prospects, but by no means does that mean that Fears isn't talented in his own right.
The Oklahoma product put together a monster season in his lone year with the Sooners, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Fears is athletic and he has a good feel for the game, but his weaknesses such as inefficient shooting could be a cause for him to drop below Johnson on team's boards.
Nonetheless, the Wizards undoubtedly take the risk on the high-potential prospect to pair the floor general alongside Alex Sarr in their young core.
Round 1, Pick 18: G/F Liam McNeely, UConn
Liam McNeely may be a slept on player in this year's draft. The UConn product is considered as a big wing with catch-and-shoot ability that makes his fit in the league very intriguing. I
In addition, the forward has the vision to be a solid facilitator with the ball in his hands but the Huskies didn't give him enough opportunities to show that part of his game during his lone year at Connecticut.
McNeely could be a more-polished Corey Kispert at the next level which is fitting he lands with the Wizards.
Round 2, Pick 40: C Johni Broome, Auburn
Johni Broome is projected to be a second-round pick, but he's definitely worth the selection this late in the draft.
The Auburn star has potential to be a solid role player at the next-level and the chance for the Wizards to add a versatile big around Sarr makes sense at some point in this draft.