The Washington Wizards earned the No. 6 overall pick in Monday night's NBA Draft Lottery and while that's not the outcome many fans hoped for, they're still in position to grab a top player in this upcoming draft class.
Obviously, entering Monday's lottery, all eyes were on the Wizards, Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets as the most likely teams to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. However, not only did none of the three teams listed above earn the top pick, but none of them even landed a top three pick.
However, the Wizards still have an opportunity to land a top prospect in this upcoming draft class, and the best fit for them could be closer to home than originally thought.
Derik Queen could be a top fit
Considering the guard prospects in this upcoming class, it's hard to overlook the talent there to pivot to a big man for the second straight offseason.
And before Wizards fans completely disregard the thought of taking a center at No. 6, consider that sometimes fit is the most important thing when it comes to drafting top prospects, especially when the fit is matched with raw talent and high potential.
Derik Queen has both, and after playing for Maryland and being raised in Baltimore, his ties to the area and the Wizards in specific could be what separates him from the pack.
Queen is a top talent and his potential to be a star in the NBA is one thing, but the possibility of adding a talent of his level who has ties to your organization doesn't come around often. Not only could it be the best fit for Washington, but potentially the Maryland product as well who would likely give his all for this organization.
And over the years, finding a player who would give their all for the Wizards organization has been hard to come by.
The fit for me is the selling point for the Wizards to consider Queen, but there's an obvious intrigue to his skillset and size for the next level.
Queen has the size, the soft touch, and the next-level feel for the game that could make him an immediate impact player at the next level.
Aside from his potential, his fit alongside Alex Sarr could be an immediate boost for the Wizards former No. 2 overall pick to maximize his game as well.
Alongside Sarr, Queen would draw attention from opposing front court defender, while also allowing the 7-footer to play more on the perimeter as a stretch big, the area he showed the most promise.
If the Wizards do elect to go big first and guard at No. 18 overall, I think Queen would be the ideal target for Washington to pursue.