Wizards News: Who Experts Expect Team to Select With No. 2 Pick
The Washington Wizards' long-term rebuild received a boost on Sunday.
The Wizards won the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft lottery.
They have the potential to land a Frenchman in the first round for the second straight year after they chose Bilal Couilbaly last season.
Zaccharie Risacher could be the ideal fit for the Wizards as long as Alex Sarr ends up at No. 1 with the Atlanta Hawks.
Risacher is one of a few scoring options the Wizards can pursue with the No. 2 pick to add to their young core of Couilbaly, Deni Avdija, Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma.
Zaccharie Risacher
Risacher was projected as the Wizards' No. 2 pick by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman and ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo after the draft lottery on Sunday.
The Frenchman is expected to be a Three-And-D player in the NBA, as Wasserman detailed in his mock draft.
"The draw to Risacher revolves around his outstanding positional tools/athleticism, shotmaking and defensive court coverage, a combination that suggests Washington would still get a valuable three-and-D wing in a worst-case scenario with no on-ball improvement."
Washington may not get a superstar out of the No. 2 pick, but if it lands a player who gives them a ton of scoring production, it will help with the rebuild.
The roster building should be focused more on Coulibaly, Avdija and the No. 2 pick because Poole and Kuzma have the tendency to be inconsistent at times.
The Wizards need to add all-around players through the draft so that when they eventually let go of Poole and Kuzma, they have a solid foundation to work with.
Alex Sarr
Alex Sarr appears to be the consensus No. 1 overall pick to the Hawks.
He fits Atlanta's need for a big man to replace Clint Capela's average defensive qualities.
But there is always the chance the Hawks select Risacher or another prospect, or even entertain a large trade offer. Anything can happen during draft season.
Sarr should be the pick he falls to the Wizards at No. 2 because he gives the team a big man to work around for the long term.
Marvin Bagley III put up decent numbers at center last season after he arrived through a trade, but he is not the long-term future down low.
Sarr would give the Wizards another foundational piece to build on. He could take time refining his offensive skills in the starting center role since the Wizards are not expected to make the playoffs anytime soon, like the Hawks.
Rob Dillingham
The Wizards could address a direct positional need at No. 2 as well.
Tyus Jones is set to hit the free-agent market, and if he leaves, the Wizards have to replace 7.3 assists per game.
Sure, Poole could play the point if needed and others would fill up the assist column, but it would be ideal to have a true point guard running the offense.
Rob Dillingham could be the perfect pick to fill that need, but as Wasserman noted, his physical limitations may a reason for a drop down the lottery for the Kentucky product.
"There isn't a prospect in the draft with a more potent package of creativity and shotmaking. But scouts will be eager to learn his updated measurements, with Kentucky listing him at just 176 pounds."
Adding a young distributor who can also score to a lineup with plenty of scorers could be perfect for Washington, but Risacher or Sarr may be more intriguing overall prospects to the Wizards front office.