NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for the Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have a chance to add depth with the No. 15 pick in the NBA Draft. Who should they be targeting?

The Wizards appear to have hit their ceiling with their current core but the burdensome contracts it’s taken to assemble said core makes it hard to adjust. That means the chance to grab an impact player with the No. 15 pick in the NBA draft is hugely important for Washington. Which players should they be looking at?

5. Dzanan Musa, Wing, Cedevita

Did you know that the Wizards, despite having a few success stories on the wing, haven’t actually drafted a player since 2015, when they took Jerian Grant and flipped him to Atlanta for Oubre? That’s two entire drafts’ worth of players — 120 of them — who came and went without so much as a sniff from Washington. It’s bonkers to think that a veteran team has shirked that draft so aggressively over the years, but their inaction also makes it difficult to get a grip on their draft tendencies, especially with a new coach installed since their last pick.

But if they have taken this year’s deep draft more seriously, perhaps they might be willing to reach ahead of public consensus to take a player they like. Musa could fit that bill, offering the Wizards even more spacing and offensive upside, as well as the flexibility to play smaller.

The Bosnian wing has been a powerhouse all year, becoming more consistent as a scorer along the way (in his age-18 season). He scored 21 points and dished three assists on June 3 in 29 minutes. Coming off the bench for most of the year, Musa’s microwave scoring has prepared him for his eventual NBA role (there is a possibility that he does not come to the NBA right away). He is a dynamic perimeter scorer who can make deep 3s, attack closeouts, and use a functional two- or three-dribble handle to get to his spots in the midrange.

At 6-foot-8, Musa will need to prove that his handling and passing are legit or face tough defensive assignments as a 3 or even 4 in the modern NBA. If he can reach that potential, Washington’s offense will find a piece it has really never had during Wall’s career.

Again, their interest in Musa will come down to their seriousness in retaining this pick and keeping the player they select, as well as their comfort in investing in an overseas project whom they may not have much intel on.

Washington should take advantage of their opportunity to restructure the roster over the next two summers, and Musa would represent a very interesting pivot.