Wiz of Awes
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Wizards should target this draft prospect if they don't win Cooper Flagg sweepstakes

Cooper Flagg or bust? Not quite.

By John Canady

May 15, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; The podium with logos is seen prior to the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
May 15, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; The podium with logos is seen prior to the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images / Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
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Entering the NBA season, many expect the Washington Wizards to be among the teams “competing” for the No. 1 overall pick come next offseason. 

It's pretty clear that every team in the league has their eyes set on one major prospect and so do their fans. That prospect is none other than Duke’s freshman sensation Cooper Flagg. 

However, while the Wizards very well could be rewarded the top overall selection in the NBA Draft, they’ll have plenty of top options to choose from. And if the team doesn’t land the No. 1 overall pick, they’ll still have a high chance of landing a future star. 

That said, if Flagg isn’t available when it’s the Wizards turn to pick, or the young forward doesn’t live up to the high expectations he has entering his first college season, here’s a look at another top option the team could opt to pivot to. 

Ace Bailey could be the top talent in the draft

Ace Bailey was one of the biggest five-star recruits to commit to Rutgers entering 2024. The versatile forward had the skill set and the potential that Flagg does, and some may argue he has more to offer. 

Not only can Bailey shoot with the best of them, but he can create his own shot while also facilitating for his teammates. The Rutgers incoming freshman has great size for a forward in the NBA at 6-foot-8 and as he continues to form into his frame, he will only get better. 

If the Wizards selected Bailey, they’d not only get a top talent, but they would be able to pair another wing alongside former No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr who the team has high hopes for. 

A wing tandem of Bailey and Sarr could resemble the roster-building method the Boston Celtics chose to do when the team selected Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in back-to-back years. 

It’s clear that strategy worked for the C’s and if Washington can resemble a similar build, it could catapult the team’s rebuild. In addition, with Kyle Kuzma unlikely to be a part of the team’s future plans, Bailey would be an ideal replacement with his ability to score, defend, and handle ball duties from the frontcourt. 

Nonetheless, the Wizards are in a prime position to land a top talent over the offseason for Brian Keefe and his staff. Whether it’s Flagg or Bailey, they both seem like home runs.

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