NBA Draft: Wizards Could Get Point Guard With 'Defensive Versatility and Feel For The Game'
The Washington Wizards had some of the best chances to get the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft at one point but in the end come away with the No. 8 selection in the first round, just as they were projected to.
While that pick won't move a whole lot of needles in the national basketball landscape relative to other picks - like the very first one - it's going to be a major move in the path the Wizards will find themselves on afterward.
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According to a recent ESPN mock NBA Draft, that pick could be Arkansas guard Anthony Black.
"The Wizards are at an inflection point after a change in leadership in the front office and will likely need to find a head decision-maker over the next few weeks," says ESPN. "Point guard has been a position of need for the Wizards for some time, and they could very well be attracted to the defensive versatility and feel for the game Black brings, as well as his ability to play any of the backcourt positions thanks to his terrific size."
READ MORE: Wizards Target Another Guard in Mock NBA Draft
Black would give Washington a versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions on the floor while adding a technical facilitator on offense who could turn into a real weapon if his own athletic exploits and scoring ability grow in the early years of his career.
In the second round, ESPN projects the Wizards to add another guard in UCLA's Amari Bailey and 3-point shooter Ben Sheppard (Belmont) to their forward/guard group.
The combination of playmaking, scoring, and defensive potential gives Washington a solid trio of rookies to work with next season, while they continue to figure out the future of their more key positions and seek out a star to bring the group together.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
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