2018 NBA Mock Draft: What if Memphis wins the lottery?

This pick is a placeholder, a piece that could become a part of a bigger deal if the Wizards decide to be aggressive suitors for DeMarcus Cousins, who was John Wall’s teammate in college. Williams would have some value in Washington, but the team knows it needs to win right now. A trade seems highly possible.

In order to acquire Cousins, Washington would ideally make forward Otto Porter the focus of a sign-and-trade. Porter makes about as much money as Cousins will, and could potentially fetch another asset in return if the Wizards could make a sign-and-trade work with New Orleans, who can go over the salary cap to retain Cousins. Porter makes sense in New Orleans as the wing piece that would make lineups featuring Anthony Davis at center really soar. Cousins ups the ante for Washington considerably.

At a certain point, I think good teams get fed up with never reaching their ceiling and just go all-in on talent. Washington is nearing that point, with Wall’s extension on the horizon but no real evidence his teams can win at the highest level. Bradley Beal was excellent in Wall’s stead after the All-Star break, and they are in cap hell following a disastrous summer of 2016.

Take Williams, send him to New Orleans as part of a deal, and use this year to really go for it before Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris become free agents.