Washington Wizards: 5 reasons Troy Brown Jr. was a good pick

3. He has the tools to be a good defender

While there may be concerns about his shooting, there is little doubt that Brown can develop into a very good NBA defender.

In today’s game, teams must have multiple players that can switch on pick-and-rolls without fear of getting cooked off the dribble. Brown qualifies as one of these players. NBADraft.net praised Brown’s versatility on defense, stating that he “can stay with quicker guards with his lateral quickness and guard big men in the post area with his size.”

With a 6’6″ frame and a 6’10” wingspan, he could aid a Washington defense that ranked 15th in points allowed per 100 possessions and opponents field goal percentage. His 2.9 defensive box plus/minus would’ve easily been the best mark on the team, as would his 1.6 steals per game. His size, athletic ability, and basketball I.Q. would make him a tough matchup for guards and forwards alike.

In a conference where the likes of LeBron James (for now), Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Giannis Antetokounmpo ply their crafts, the Wizards need a player with Brown’s size and athleticism to at least try and slow those guys down. His potential value on the less glamorous end of the floor alone would be a boon to the Wizards.