The Washington Wizards have a lot riding on their draft decision moving forward as the team continues to build their roster from the ground up in hopes of competing for an NBA Championship sooner rather than later.
Washington will have plenty of draft decisions to make this coming offseason as well as they currently are tied with the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets for the highest-odds to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Not to mention the fact that they also hold another first rounder with the No. 18 overall pick courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies.
And while it's important for the team to make sure they're making the right selections in the draft, it's also important for the team to not put too much concern in minor things, such as the winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year.
That includes the fanbase as well.
Wizards have to remember big picture
With Stephon Castle winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award, it's easy for teams and the fanbase to get lost in the fact that they essentially selected Alex Sarr over the best rookie in the league this season.
It's easy to get this mindset, but its also important to remember that winning the Rookie of the Year doesn't mean that Castle will be better than Sarr long-term, let alone every prospect from last offseason's draft.
That said, let's take a look at some of the winners of the Rookie of the Year award over the last couple of years and see if they're the best player from their respective draft classes today.
2017 NBA Rookie of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon was named the Rookie of the Year in 2017 after being drafted in the same class as the likes of Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram and Jamal Murray.
Did Brogdon have a superior rookie season than the other three guys? Sure. Is he a better player than any of them in today's NBA? No.
You're probably thinking "well Malcolm Brogdon was an older prospect, of course he's not better right now." Well, he wasn't better at his peak, but even if that is your argument, here's another example.
2018 NBA Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons wasn't exactly in the same NBA Draft class as the fellow rookies in 2018, but that didn't stop him from winning the award in 2018 over the names of players like Jayson Tatum, De'Aaron Fox and Donovan Mitchell.
Looking at where he played is today, Simmons is bouncing around the league and now looked at as a reclamation project after his career in Philly came crashing down and each of the other three players are superstars on their respective teams.
However, if that example doesn't work, let's try one more.
2021 NBA Rookie of the Year: LaMelo Ball
LaMelo Ball won the award in 2022, and while there's an argument for him to be considered the best player from that draft class with his career-year for the Hornets this season, Anthony Edwards has a much better argument to take that title.
Both prospects are excellent, but at this point in their careers, that award doesn't add much to their resumes for where they're at in their careers.
All this to say, give it time. The Wizards have a lot of promise moving forward and Alex Sarr's potential is at the top of the reasons why,