NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Washington Wizards

3. Bol Bol, C, Oregon

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 5

Bol could go anywhere in this draft, as his skill set might lend to him being worthy of a top-ten pick, but questions about his body type, instincts, and health might push him out of the first round. And while hitching their star to a player with foot and ankle issues might give Wizards fans cold sweats given the issues Wall and Beal have had, Bol’s fit on offense next to those two could be really exciting.

Bol can potentially play on the wing on offense despite being 7-foot-3, as he has an outlier shooting and handling presence for his size and can probably shoot from distance at a reasonable clip, which would allow him to capitalize on the gravity of Wall and Beal as creators. This could also let Bol play next to Mahinmi, Howard, or Thomas Bryant early on, giving the Wizards multiple weapons as roll men on the floor and adding a floor spacer around Bryant on the short roll.

Defensively, Bol is probably going to struggle early on, as he tries to add strength and bulk to his frame and learns to overcome his instincts. He’s probably going to be a useful shot blocker regardless because his margin for error is so high, and Bol’s offensive skills could allow him to be played more as a 4 on defense, where he can be tasked more with defending the weak side away from pick-and-rolls and pair with another big man. That might be the most functional fit for Washington’s roster and Bol together.

Bol is probably going to be the only player on the board with legitimate star upside at pick nine, so the Wizards should consider him, even if his fit is clunky and he doesn’t look the part. His length, touch, and shooting combination could make him a very unique offensive weapon, and if he can prove healthy, he could be an interesting wild card for the team at this spot.