NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Washington Wizards

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dunks the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 13: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers is guarded by Jose Alvarado #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Thompson-Boling Arena on November 13, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 66-53. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

2. Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 11

De’Andre Hunter would be an ideal choice for the Wizards, but he’s highly unlikely to last until the ninth pick. He’s a versatile 3/4 hybrid that plays intelligently and looks like a perfect off-ball compliment on offense and weapon across multiple positions on defense. If Hunter’s gone, Williams would be a nice approximation and might be an even better fit especially next to Beal.

Williams’s natural touch and ability to move the ball projects to make him a very useful off-ball compliment on offense. He is one of the draft’s smartest decision-makers, and would be an interesting complement to Beal, helping to keep the ball moving to Beal once he relocates off-ball, and providing some value as a screener to help Beal force switches. Defensively, his size is a concern, but he’s a talented defender across multiple positions, strong enough to defend 4s and smart enough to make effective rotations around the perimeter off-ball. He would be a nice way to account for Jabari Parker’s lack of defensive aptitude if he’s around next year.

Williams probably isn’t more than a Jae Crowder type in the league, but winning teams need that type of player to maintain lineup flexibility and ensure that they can put multiple good decision-makers around their stars. For the Wizards, Williams would instantly be one of the team’s best defensive players and could help the team put Beal in optimal situations to succeed. It’s hard not to be interested in that type of value from this spot considering who we have discussed so far.

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