The Washington Wizards entered the season with low expectations, and their losing record has shown exactly why.
Washington lacks talent from top to bottom, and the team is in desperate need of a rebuild that can put their franchise back in the mix of things as teams continue to rebuild and chase the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
After the team dealt Bradley Beal last offseason, it was clear which direction the team was headed in, but with their offseason moves to acquire veterans for their young group, it seemed as if the Wizards had some hope in competing for at least a play-in spot.
Nonetheless, at 2-8, the Wizards are closer to winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes than they are to winning 20+ games. That said, here’s a look at a potential mock draft for Washington in what will be a pivotal rebuilding year for the organization.
Currently, the Wizards sit with the third-worst record in the NBA behind the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. With both teams likely to finish the season with more wins than Washington, I’ll be drafting under the assumption that the Wizards indeed finish the year behind these two squads.
Round 1, Pick 1: G/F Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg is the clear prize in this upcoming NBA Draft class. The Duke star may be one of the most coveted draft prospects in recent memories outside Victor Wembanyama who landed with the Spurs in 2023.
Flagg stands at 6-foot-9 with the size to play in the front court and the ball-handling skills to serve as a guard. In today's NBA, the ACC standout is exactly the type of player teams are looking to build their franchise around.
Averaging 19 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 45.5% from field goal range, Flagg looks the part. Not to mention he’s averaging 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals on the defensive side of the ball.
If Washington is fortunate enough to land the No. 1 overall pick, Flagg is the obvious choice.
Round 2, Pick 31: G Boogie Fland, Arkansas
The Wizards opted to give Jordan Poole the keys to their starting point guard position this season, and while he has impressed in his current role, his age may not match the Wizards rebuilding timeline. As a result, the team could draft a young guard with the potential to develop into a starting playmaker for them or even more.
Boogie Fland would fit the bill for that. The Arkansas freshman has looked like one of the best guards in the nation to start the season. Averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds, the Razorbacks guard has all the tools to be an impactful player at the next level.
Not to mention that guards who are coached by John Calipari in college tend to make waves in the NBA.