Wizards fans beware: Kevin O'Connor’s two-round NBA Mock Draft spells trouble

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts with center Khaman Maluach (9) during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts with center Khaman Maluach (9) during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Washington Wizards head into the offseason sharing the same dream as the rest of the teams in the NBA: find a way to land Cooper Flagg.

However, Washington is in a much-better position to turn that dream into a reality than 26 other teams in the league, considering they're tied with the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets for the highest percentage to earn the No. 1 overall pick.

At the same time, the Wizards late-surge of winning and final-game heroics in the regular season finale put them in the position to potentially see their dreams turn into a nightmare and potentially fall out of the top five.

In Kevin O'Connor's recent two-round mock draft for Yahoo Sports, he put together what I would consider the absolute worst-case scenario for Washington come draft night.

Round 1, Pick 6: C Khaman Maluach, Duke

The idea that the would land a former five-star recruit in this upcoming draft class is all the Wizards fans could've hoped for...when that player was Cooper Flagg. However, falling out of the top five to select Khaman Maluach at No. 6 overall would likely be disappointing for many.

Not because Maluach is a bad player, by any means. But he's not the type of player that you're going to get excited to watch develop, unless you like watching defense.

Maluach is a raw talent, and at 7-foot-2, he has the versatility to be a fun player alongside Alex Sarr. However, he started played basketball at 13-years-old, so he's not as a polished as the other top prospects the Wizards could consider, especially in a guard-heavy draft.

Round 1, Pick 18: G Nolan Traore, Saint Quentin

Nolan Traore is a fine selection at this pick, but for developmental puproses. He has the potential to become a solid player, if not more for the Wizards, but while his ceiling may be high, his floor is also pretty low.

The guard is athletic with a quick burst, but he's a very inefficient scorer and if the Wizards strike out on him, there's a chance they blow this draft altogether.

Round 2, Pick: 42: C Johni Broome, Auburn

Johni Broome is a solid second-round pick, but after going Maluach in the first, it's kind of puzzling to add yet another big man to the mix, especially for a Wizards team who has the potential to make multiple moves to shake up the roster ahead of next year, including Jordan Poole potentially being dealt.

If the Wizards landed Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson at No. 6, this pick would make a lot more sense.

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