NBA Draft: Wizards Take Another Shot at Guard in the 2023 First Round
The Washington Wizards aren't a terrible roster on paper, but there's a lack of performance plaguing the team that needs to be addressed.
While the team continues its search for a new general manager to give the Wizards clarity on the path ahead NBA Draft analysts are doing their best to match upcoming prospects with the needs on the roster.
READ MORE: A Little Too Quiet on the GM Front
In their latest attempt to project the right player, USA Today's Bryan Kalbrosky sends Kentucky Wildcats guard Cason Wallace to Washington in the first round.
"The SEC All-Freshman guard was perhaps the most promising of the backcourt prospects in college basketball last season," says Kalbrosky. "He averaged 0.77 passes per touch...which was the highest among all projected first-round draft picks.
Wallace shot just 34.6 percent on 3-pointers for Kentucky, which wasn't fantastic. But he was 24-for-57 (42.1 percent) on 3-pointers from the NBA distance...he also shot 15-for-31 (48.4 percent) on corner 3-pointers.
He maintained a high steal rate throughout the season, too, showing his prowess as a defensive playmaker. He projects well as a solid contributor both on and off the ball at the next level."
As this was a full mock draft, however, Kalbrosky wasn't done sending players to the Wizards.
READ MORE: Washington Rookie Rankings
Missouri Tigers forward Kobe Brown is mocked to Washington with the No. 42 overall pick and could bring some position versatility after getting time in all five roles while in school.
At No. 57, the Wizards select 6'10 center Tristan Vukcevic who has had an up-and-down career in Serbia but projects as a big man who can stretch the floor and has the potential to be a threat from outside as well.
With the NBA Draft Lottery happening next week Washington has the eighth-best odds of landing the top pick in the draft, and this mock is using the No. 8 pick as the spot awarded to the team.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
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