NBA Draft 2011: 10 Prospects Washington Wizards Need to Consider with No. 6 Pick
The Washington Wizards find themselves in the rare position of having two top-20 picks in the upcoming NBA draft. After several trades before and after the draft, the team made away with four first-round picks, providing a much-needed infusion of youth on a formerly aging roster. As with any young team, there is always room for improvement and this year's draft class could provide key additions.
Though this year's class considered weak by many standards, the Wizards have the sixth overall selection and every intention of using it to further their rebuilding efforts.
A lot of names have been mentioned in relation to Washington's draft plans, but only a handful are worth taking a closer look at. Here are the prospects the Wizards should consider with their first pick in the 2011 draft.
Derrick Williams, SF/PF, Arizona
1 of 10
With the Timberwolves laden with forwards these days, it is entirely possible that Derrick Williams slips past the second overall pick. Whether he makes it past the Cavaliers with the fourth pick is another issue entirely, but the Wizards can't overlook Williams no matter how far out of reach he appears to be in this draft.
A proven winner at Arizona, Williams has an array of skills and physical gifts that would be welcome additions to the Wizards developing nucleus.
Williams doesn't have ideal height or the defensive presence of a power forward, nor does he possess experience as a small forward. He has a 7'1" wingspan, and is an explosive athlete, but didn't always assert himself as the best player on the floor. No matter what position he settles into at the next level, Williams is the best player the Wizards could possibly pick in this year's class.
If by some miracle Williams falls to the Wizards, they can't possibly pass up on a player of his caliber. It would be a welcome surprise and an instant boost for Washington.
Tristan Thompson, SF/PF, Texas
2 of 10
Aside from being a relatively weak draft, this year's class seems to be loaded with so-called combo players. It seems like experts prefer the term to one like potential overachiever, but it doesn't succeed. Tristan Thompson is one such player who doesn't fit perfectly at either forward spot.
The Wizards may view Thompson's case as one of versatility rather than deficiency in terms of his transition to the NBA.
Thompson could have benefited from another year in college, but brings a lot of potential for success in spite of that fact. He is pretty average in size, but has a 7'1" wingspan that allowed him to block 2.4 shots per game at Texas. He averaged 7.6 rebounds per game, displaying impressive efficiency on the offensive glass.
His maturity is a concern, and he can get distracted when not directly involved on offense. If Thompson can add some bulk and show improvement on his range and attitude, he could be a great fit for the Wizards.
Klay Thompson, SG/SF, Washington State
3 of 10
The Wizards would be wise to give Klay Thompson a look considering their current need for a small forward and the possibility that Nick Young may be headed for free agency. Thompson has good size for either position and is one of the top pure shooters in the draft.
Whether at small forward or shooting guard, Thompson has great scoring ability and could be the clutch shooter they need for those close games they failed to win last season.
Though he is just an average athlete, Thompson makes up with great length that allowed him to average 1.6 steals per game as a senior. He is a good decision maker and doesn't allow his emotions to hinder his performance. The Wizards, under Flip Saunders, prefer a half court game despite John Wall's dynamic style, and Thompson is better suited for a half court offense.
He may not be the quickest player on the floor, but Thompson is an excellent scorer that would take pressure off of Wall on offense.
Marcus Morris, SF, Kansas
4 of 10
Marcus Morris is the more versatile of the Morris twins, and is a better fit for the Wizards than his brother. He is also projected to be a lottery pick, whereas Markieff Morris has been projected in the 15 to 20 range. He isn't a stellar fit at either forward spot, which is problematic when considering a player to select with a high lottery pick.
Morris has developed a solid post game and displayed good shooting range, while providing solid rebounding numbers.
The biggest issue with Morris, especially in consideration for the sixth overall pick, is his limited ceiling. He has the benefit of three years of college experience, but he lacks length and defensive presence necessary to guard NBA wings. The Wizards need players who can contribute right away and Morris has the variety in his game to do just that.
While it may be a reach to select Morris this high, it is impossible to overlook the production and winning ways that Morris developed while at Kansas.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
5 of 10
With the void at small forward, the Wizards don't have much room to gamble with the sixth pick. Kawhi Leonard is a high-energy wing with great potential on the boards and at the defensive end of the floor. His relatively untested offensive repertoire is a concern, but he is hardly inept in the scoring department.
A double-double player during his college career, Leonard has a good set of skills for the next level.
Leonard's purported offensive deficiency comes from his focus on his rebounding and defense rather than a flat-out inability to score. He doesn't have the prettiest shot or the greatest range, but he can get into a rhythm and make the defense respect him as a threat. He needs to work on taking shots with his shoulders squared to the basket, rather than trying to hit off-balance shots.
Leonard has great quickness, and could be the dynamic wing John Wall needs in transition. He does a lot of little things that the Wizards need at both ends of the floor, even if he isn't the most dynamic scorer.
Enes Kanter, PF/C, Turkey
6 of 10
Enes Kanter is one of the more intriguing lottery options in this draft class. He has the size of an NBA center, but Kentucky head coach John Calipari saw Kanter in the mold of a power forward. His knees are considered to be a problem, but after passing the combine physical, those worries aren't as pronounced.
While experience is a concern, Kanter is a physical player with a good head on his shoulders and plenty of room to grow as a player.
Having been ruled ineligible to play for Kentucky, Kanter has had to work extra hard to maintain his draft status over the last year. The aforementioned knee problems may resurface in the future, despite checking out in physical exams. The Wizards don't seem set on current power forward Andray Blatche as a true star alongside point guard John Wall, and that would make Kanter a perfect fit for Washington.
A high basketball IQ and a steadily progressing all-around game make Kanter a great pick for the young Wizards.
Jan Vesely, SF/PF, Czech Republic (Partizan Belgrade)
7 of 10
After the fifth pick, this year's draft is loaded with international players projected in the top 15. Jan Vesely is one of the more dynamic prospects, and shows an uncommon ability in transition for a European player. The Wizards need a small forward, and Vesely's excellent size and athleticism would give him a leg up over smaller and slower defenders.
Vesely is a high risk/high reward player, but has an energy and hustle on the floor to be successful in the NBA.
Some areas Vesely could stand to improve in are rebounding and ball-handling. He is best suited for pick-and-roll situations, or fast break and put back dunks. He shows a tremendous ability to finish at the rim, even through contact. He could stand to add some muscle, as long as it doesn't compromise his explosiveness.
Washington needs a player like Vesely to handcuff to Wall, if only for the fast break, highlight reel dunks he has the ability to produce. His versatility is a bonus, and he shows the ability to guard both forwards and guards.
Jonas Valanciunas, PF/C, Lithuania (Lietuvos Rytas)
8 of 10
The crop of international prospects is both talented and risky given the history of players have difficulty transitioning from the passing offense of international play and the transition/fast break style in the NBA. Jonas Valanciunas is a big prospect with a ton of potential in need of realizing. The Wizards don't seem comfortable fully committing to either Andray Blatche at power forward or JaVale McGee at center.
Valanciunas doesn't have ideal strength for a post player, and may not come to the NBA due to his contract with Lietvos Rytas.
The Wizards probably regret the last international prospect they draft in Oleksiy Pecherov, but Valanciunas isn't projected as a Dirk Nowitzki-lite. He has a developing post game and shows promising aggressiveness on offense, though he hasn't learned to create for himself. He is a great free-throw shooter, and, at just 19 years of age, is still young enough to grow both physically and mentally within an NBA environment.
He has a solid shot in the inside of 12 feet, and displays good athleticism for his size. Washington may see Valanciunas as a reason to part with either Blatche or McGee for future picks.
Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Congo (Fuenlabrada)
9 of 10
Bismack Biyombo is a tremendous defensive prospect with limited offensive potential that has captured the hearts and minds of many fans and a few GMs. He may never realize that potential, but he has the kind of explosive defense and athleticism that teams drool over. The Wizards could use a big time defensive presence in the post to go along with the explosive JaVale McGee at center.
Biyombo is about as raw as a player can be and still be in consideration as a lottery pick, but many teams have placed a lot of stock in his defensive capabilities.
Even though defense is a lost art in the current NBA, Biyombo could be a game-changer for Washington. McGee has already made a name for himself as a tremendous athlete, shot-blocker and dunker, while Biyombo's hype is solely based on his defensive performance. The Wizards had a similar player in Ben Wallace, but let him go before he could reach the heights of Defensive Player of the Year.
The rawness of his game cannot be underscored enough, but the Wizards drafted Kevin Seraphin last year based on his strength and presence in the paint. Biyombo could a similar addition, only with an infinitely higher ceiling.
Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut
10 of 10
The Wizards drafted John Wall with the first overall pick last season, and have no need for another lottery point guard like Kemba Walker. However, consider drafting Walker as an exercise of business savvy, one that could payoff big for Washington if played right.
A lot of teams outside of the lottery would like a shot at Walker, and the Wizards could name their price in a trade involving Walker.
Walker's stock couldn't be any higher after capturing a national championship with the Huskies. While he doesn't have great height for the NBA, but is incredibly quick by point guard standards and has a knack for making awkward shots off of contact once he gets to the basket. There's no way he falls anywhere past the Kings with the seventh pick, but the Wizards could set up a deal to facilitate a deal for Walker.
Any deal the Wizards can find will likely involve a player and/or a future pick, which could work to fill their needs with proven players rather than risky picks from a weak draft class.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
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