The Wizards may be in position to gamble in this year’s draft, general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a Q&A session on the team’s Twitter account (hat tip to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington). Last year, Washington used its first pick on Rui Hachimura, who was ready to contribute right away, but Sheppard believes the team can now consider long-term prospects.
“I think when you look at our roster and you see eight players 23 or younger, we can probably take a swing at somebody and they’re not going to have to help us immediately next year. If that player is there, certainly we do that,” Sheppard said.
The Wizards will start their draft process Monday by interviewing college seniors and international prospects. Everything will be different this year because of coronavirus restrictions, which means chatting remotely with potential picks and no in-person workouts. However, Sheppard doesn’t put great value on those individual sessions as the team didn’t work out Hachimura before last year’s draft.
“Workouts are important, but these players have played all season,” Sheppard said. “If we’re going to decide whether to take a player based on one workout, we’re in a lot of trouble. We’ve done our homework.”
There’s more from Washington:
- Appearing on The Lowe Post podcast with ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Bradley Beal said he considered a lot of positives and negatives before agreeing to a two-year extension last fall. “Ultimately, I felt staying, the positives outweighed leaving,” Beal explained. “The reason being is because I had more control here. I have an organization who basically gave me the keys. We’re gonna build around you, we’re gonna get guys around. If I go anywhere else, granted, it may be a good team, but I would be a piece. Who knows if my role would be the same? My role here, I love what it is.”
- Beal admits he was among those who laughed on draft night when ESPN’s Chauncey Billups compared Hachimura to Kawhi Leonard, but Beal has become a huge supporter of his rookie teammate. “He’s not Kawhi, but he plays like him,” Beal said. “He has a high ceiling. He’s not really a four. We can really make him into a three. We can make him into a playmaker. He can post up smaller guys. He can guard bigger guys. He’s very versatile in a lot of ways. I love him. He’s a workhorse. I don’t know who he’s really comparable to, because his ceiling’s that high.”
- Fred Katz of The Athletic examines how expected changes to the salary cap will affect Washington’s chances of re-signing Davis Bertans. The Wizards will have to keep Bertans’ $13.3MM cap hold on their books to retain his Bird rights, so they are expected to operate as an over-the-cap team when the offseason arrives.
Gotta admire Beal for the courage of his convictions, he is a real stud! Were is the point of goin’ to a winning team just been a number, when you can be “the man” in Washington & be a legend in the franchise, I would too rather stay than go chasing rings (saddest thing to do in the NBA) Hope Beal stays all his career in DC, like Lillard in POR!
Washington absolutely suck at drafting.
Last year they took Rui who everyone knew before the draft was going to be a contributor but was considered a safe pick.
The year before that they took Troy Brown Jr, who is a dud. Before that it was Jerani Grant who’s now in the G league, before that it was Otto Porter.
Other than the fact they only have had 4 selections in the past 8 years, they don’t exactly ever pick up good players much either.
It’s makes me think they won’t take a PG cause they like John Wall and they won’t take a SG cause they have Beal. My guess is they reach for Precious Achiwura with the 9th pick
Jerani grant was traded for Kelly Oubre draft night to be exact. Wiz repicked up Grant this season for the G league team.
That is a fine drafting record. Rui had many doubters due to a lack of positionally-usable skill; there was a question of where to put him. Brown is steadily improving. Both have PERs of 14, almost average, not bad for 20 & 21yo. Jerian Grant got Oubre, now worth a $14MM per contract mostly due to energy. Clarkson is in the same boat. Porter got a max or some such at 23. And before that was Beal, then a dud, and in 2010 John Wall.
Calling that “absolutely suck” is going in the wrong diection! I think it’s no wonder that Sheppard is a bit overconfident. Of course he is regardless, probably why the Wiz roster got so jammed up financially.
Nah still think they suck.
Rui is alright and still developing.
Brown so far has been below average
Oubre was average with the Wizards, he didn’t start becoming good until he got traded away. Porter is the definition of average and got throw a max. Wizards were stupid enough to match and then trade him, now his near 30 mil deal looks ridiculous…
Also why have they only had 4 selections in 8 years, it’s not like they have made any amazing trades using those first round picks.
“I’d rather be The Man on a team that sucks as opposed to being a piece – albeit a solid one – on a good team that wins.”
Wow.
There is more to life than winning, you might feel very happy within a team, your family might be very happy living in a particular city, schools, feeling important in a team, maybe you paid more as been just a piece might call for your earnings to be reduced… so many reasons for which winning is nice but not everything, happiness, specially outside the court trumps winning everyday of the week & twice on Sundays!
A lot of the biggest legends to ever play the game, never won a ring but believe me they live very happy lives!
I said winning… didn’t mention a ring. Those select guys we talk about not getting a ring were still winners.
He still gets his money (max contract), so that rebuttal is not applicable. Uprooting your family, changing schools, etc… is a common part of the profession he chose to pursue – that rebuttal, imo, isn’t a good one there, either. Hell, people do that to go to making 80k per year from 60.
It is what it is… he’d rather be what I implied above.
You’re suggesting that uprooting your family, etc, etc, has to be a part of the profession. Clearly, this proves it doesn’t. If you’re happy where you are, and have the option to stay, do so. Everyone has different motivations.
You’re also overlooking the fact that Beal is young enough to eventually win again with this franchise. He’s not 35, set to play out his last year or 2 on a rebuilding club.
Personally, I get what he’s saying. Obviously I’ve never played a pro sport. I’d rather be somewhere I’m happy, and have an element of control, versus a place where I’m a cog in the machine, expected to just do as I’m told.
Plenty of former players out there are walking around, former champs, and more than a few don’t seem all that happy. Everyone is different, with different wants. I don’t think less of any player, unless they’re just kind of a jerk.
Great post Appalachian_Outlaw!