Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: There’s movement in the top 5

By Brendon Kleen

CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers brings the ball up court during the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers brings the ball up court during the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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12. player. 142. . C. Texas. Jaxson Hayes

As long as this writer has been doing weekly mock drafts here at FanSided, we’ve been trying to get an athletic big man in Washington alongside Bradley Beal and John Wall. It was Wall himself who begged his front office to go out and get an athletic interior presence this summer, which resulted in a two-year deal for Dwight Howard. But that’s a Band-Aid answer to the issue. The Wizards need to invest in the frontcourt in the draft — forget about Yi Jianlian and Jan Vesely.

Of course, Hayes is much more of a sure thing than those international men of mystery. You can sell Wall and coach Scott Brooks on Hayes. He’s the real deal, averaging 18.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes. Somehow, Texas keeps churning these guys out and if you’ve watched the Nets at all this year, Hayes will remind you of fellow Longhorn Jarrett Allen.

It may seem unlikely that this draft pick’s fit with Wall matters much as the Wizards are rumored to be exploring trades for Wall. Certainly, Washington would love to move on from their point guard. The problem is he’s on perhaps the worst contract in the league. The Wizards are stuck with Wall unless they give up multiple assets to move him, which would be unwise at this point.

Instead, they should try to build a roster that makes more sense around Wall. That means more athletes like Hayes, one of the biggest draft risers since the 2018-19 college season started.