NBA Trade Rumors: Can the Washington Wizards Move Up to Draft Derrick Williams?
The Washington Wizards currently own the rights to the No. 6 and No. 18 picks in the first round of this year's NBA draft. In my most recent mock draft, I have the Wizards taking Kawhi Leonard with the sixth pick and Kenneth Faried with the 18th pick.
Recent rumors are suggesting they may be looking to move up in the draft by trading for the Minnesota Timberwolves No. 2 pick. That would give the Wizard the opportunity to take Derrick Williams.
Would the team be willing to give up the chance at two solid first-rounders for one potential superstar? Or do they have a player they could package with the sixth pick (allowing them to keep their later first-rounder)?
Jonathan Givony who runs DraftExpress recently tweeted, "Sources say Washington & Phoenix have been the most active teams trying to trade up for Derrick Williams. T'Wolves want a 'veteran big man."
The thing is, Washington doesn't really have a veteran big man. Andray Blatche is 24 and could be a potential option, but wouldn't that just crowd Minnesota's depth chart at power forward even further (they already have Michael Beasley and Kevin Love)?
Sure, Beasley can play small forward and Blatche can play center, but all three players are more naturally suited to power forward.
I think the most realistic option fort the Wizards would be to give up both their first-rounders. It may be a lot to ask, but this draft class has been called "weak" over and over and any pick outside the lottery is less than a sure thing right now.
Would Minnesota be interested in a two-for-one draft pick deal that involves no current players? Who knows (who ever knows what goes on in the world of Kahn).
Michael Lee of the Washington Post has said that there is little truth to the rumors right now, but that Washington could make a more serious push over the next couple weeks.
They should. The prospect of having a combo like John Wall and Derrick Williams to build a team around is something Wizards fans could really get excited about.
Throw in some other solid youngsters on the roster like Nick Young and JaVale McGee, and it's not hard to imagine the Wizards in the playoffs within the next couple years.
You can follow Andy Bailey on Twitter @_Andy_Bailey.
