Ranking top 5 Wizards draft targets to be their franchise centerpiece

1. Reed Sheppard

One of the most well-rounded guys available for selection in the draft, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard should be regarded as one of the top three players in this draft class.

Sheppard’s impressive combine, which included an astounding 42-inch vertical leap, may have helped him shoot up draft boards, but he should have been in consideration for a top-three pick well before that.

Despite being a bit undersized, Sheppard has the perfect mix of offensive and defensive talent to make him an impact player on any team in the league and in any role.

Defensively, Sheppard is a pesky point-of-attack guy who can cause trouble for ball-handlers. He’s the type of player who could help transform a defensive backcourt.

Meanwhile, his offense is just as impressive. He was a knock-down shooter with the Wildcats, shooting a blazing-hot 52.1% from distance on 4.4 three-point attempts per game. Plus, he has some room to grow as a shot creator, so he could get even better.

There are some little things that Sheppard needs to improve on, but in a draft with no clear number-one pick, he has the perfect blend of future potential and NBA-ready skills. The Wizards should make him their top target, giving Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly a top-notch guard to grow with.