The last week has been quite interesting in that an influx of trade rumors and draft scenarios have flooded the Washington Wizards internet community. Michael Lee of The Washington Post has reported rumors of trades involving the Wizards’ 5th pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers (gag), and the New York Knicks. While nothing really seems to be of substance, as www.bulletsforever.com has acknowledged, they are impossible to ignore. Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Javale McGee are some of the notables that many teams, as many as 14, have expressed interest in. As we approach the draft, the fans’ opinions seem to be forming an almost consensus for Davidson guard Stephen Curry. The Washington Post conducted a poll that resulted in nearly half the votes garnered by Southern Conference product. DraftExpress.com now has the Wizards slotted for Jordan Hill with the 5th selection while both SI.com and ESPN.com are predicting James Harden. What do the Wizards need? And should they draft for need or get the best player? Both possibilities, in my opinion, may indeed overlap.
I believe the most glaring need for the Washington Wizards is at the guard position. The Wizards have addressed the frontcourt pretty aggressively in recent years with the draft of McGee, Pecherov, and grooming of Andray Blatche. What appears to have happened is a negligence of the need for a guard, evident in the acceptance of Roger Mason, Jr.’s departure. Right now as the roster stands the Wizards possess a superstar in Gilbert Arenas but no significant contributor behind him. Stevenson could very well be done as the only thing he can do these days is talk trash. Even at his best he would be most effective coming off the bench. His occasional 3-point hot streak and solid defensive play would be a nice commodity in a reserved role. Nick Young is on the verge of being a solid 2 guard but an upgrade is certainly possible given the team’s draft situation. He might be at the point in his career when a little competition wouldn’t hurt. Mike Jones might not be a Wizard for long but I believe he could give quality minutes in a reserved role. He is not good enough to be the back-up point guard any more. I could see his best-case-scenario being reduced to the role of an Anthony Johnson, not the primary back-up but a solid third option for sporadic minutes. I like Jarvaris Crittenton a lot, he is around 6’5” with good speed and a nice work ethic. With the overstock of combo guards in this draft the Wizards may be able to pick a player that would still allow Crit room to develop as a role player. You have to like his prospects with his size and athleticism, he is just a classic case of a player who entered the pro’s too early, only he has a chance to actually make it in the Association.
