The draft is right around the corner and this year we have 3 picks this year (19, 29, 49). Drafting as low as we are is always a crap shoot; do you take the best player available, draft for what you need, draft and stash, take a chance on a guy that super raw, or go with a guy who could contribute but is about tapped out. All that to say, there's no sure things and no one will have a clue until draft night.
Needs: wing defender, 3 point shooting, and an athletic big with the potential to switch on the perimeter.
Wings I like:
Rui Hachimura- I've seen him projected anywhere from 5-20, so we'd have to hope he falls to us, but he's got a lot to like. 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan, good athlete with some bounce, good midrange jumper and post up game, finishes well around the rim with both hands, and has a reputation as a hard worker. Could play the 3 or small ball 4. His jumper needs a little work (shot 41% from 3, but on less than 1 attempt per game), he doesn't rebound as well as a guy as big, strong and, athletic as he is should, and He doesn't have great vision. I think at minimum he could be what Rudy Gay is right now, with the potential to be a very good SF if his 3 point shot develops.
Cameron Johnson- shot nearly 46% from 3 this past season at UNC, quick release, and he's 6'9" so no one is going to bother his shot. He's a solid defender who I think can be adequate in the NBA. However, he's already 23 and about tapped out. Lots of shooting, but he won't ever be a lock down defender. I like him a lot better if we could get him at 29.
Matisse Thybulle- another guy I like at 29 but not 19, he's Danny Green 2.0 imo. Washington played a Syracuse style zone this last season, but he averaged 3.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. That kind of disruptiveness should translate very well. He's more of a 2 guard at 6'6" but has a 7' wingspan and like Danny, I think could guard bigger wings. He shot 35% from 3 and almost 80% from the free throw line, so a little work and I think those numbers would both improve. He's another older player that won't develop a whole lot more to his offensive game, but should contribute early and won't eat up touches.
Bigs:
Bol Bol- another guy that's project anywhere from the mid lottery to 20s, and would be a big time high risk/high reward type of pick. Manute's son is 7'2" with a 7'7" wingspan, has legit 3 point range, and some very surprising ball skills for a guy that big. Could be a real difference maker blocking shots and spacing the floor. Now, he is Manute's son so he's built just like him, so he'll get bullied by bigger posts. He had a foot injury and only played 9 college games (putting up crazy numbers in those games). He also has a reputation as not the hardest worker. Most likely he's gone before 19, but he'd be hard to pass up if he was still there.
Mfiondu Kabengele- nephew of Dikembe Mutombo, so more NBA blood lines. 6'10" with a 7'3" wingspan, and weighs 250 lbs of muscle, so he's already built for the NBA. Being that big, he's a really good athlete. Runs well, moves latterly, quick jumper. Also has a nice shooting touch, shot almost 37% from 3 and 76 from the line. He needs some work between the ears. No passing ability, needs help learning rotations, and has to cut down on turnovers. Would be a nice pick at 29.
