2011 NBA Draft Grades: Washington Wizards Get an A for Drafting Jan Vesely No. 6

The Washington Wizards were known to be targeting Jan Vesely in the 2011 NBA draft after inviting officials from the Czech Republic to watch the draft with them, and they successfully landed their man with the sixth overall selection.

Vesely is arguably the top international prospect in the entire draft class, and the European Blake Griffin is looking to leave a major imprint on his new team during his rookie season.

Washington beat writer Michael Lee writes that coach Flip Saunders believes Vesely can contribute immediately in the team's rotation, and it wouldn't surprise me whatsoever to see him play major minutes early and often for his newest team.

He's got incredible leaping ability and can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. With his size and athleticism, he could dominate opposing front lines for several seasons. He's already been exposed to solid competition in his playing career and should only continue to grow on a youthful Washington club.

At just 21 years old, Vesely is an unbelievable pickup for the Wizards at sixth overall when he could've gone a lot earlier in a very shallow draft. He was a legitimate option for Utah three selections earlier, and the Wizards really hit the jackpot by picking him up this late.

Vesely will be an incredibly fun toy for franchise point guard John Wall on the fast break, and their styles of play should complement one another extraordinarily next season and for several years into the future.

The Wizards landed a big time impact player despite not having a top-five selection, and that's not something that most teams can say with this year's crop of players.

One man's trash is clearly another's treasure, as the Cavs opted to go for a raw Tristan Thompson ahead of Vesely despite the latter being rated as a much higher prospect.

The game is rapidly changing as the influx of international talent is really leaving its mark, and that's a pattern that's likely to continue in the aftermath of Dirk Nowitzki leading the Dallas Mavericks to a championship.

While expectations should certainly be tempered, Vesely shouldn't take long to establish himself as a firm fixture in the Washington lineup that's going to be very improved with Vesely.

It should be interesting to see how the Wizards play their cards with impending free agent Nick Young with the product of the Czech Republic now aboard, but they've expressed an interest in retaining him.

While the uber-athlete will likely come off the bench to begin the season, it may not be long before he's inserted into the team's starting lineup.

Washington could entertain offers for either Andray Blatche or JaVale McGee which would free up some playing time down low, but Blatche is far more likely to be moved because of his contract and off-court shenanigans.

The Wizards are rapidly turning the page from the Gilbert Arenas era, and it's officially time to start believing in this young club as one that is going to make a ton of noise in the future.

There is cautious optimism in Washington for the future of the franchise, and it's for good reason.