Washington Wizards: 3 options with the No. 9 pick in the NBA draft

1. Onyeka Okongwu: Center USC

The NBA media throws around player comparisons a bit too liberally, but comparing Onyeka Okongwu to Bam Adebayo is spot on. The trick will be if Okongwu can develop at the same rate that Adebayo did in the NBA. So while Onyeka Okongwu looks a lot like Bam Adebayo out of college, how he develops in the NBA will go a long way in determining if he becomes a two-way force. Even if Okongwu is years away from his ceiling he’ll offer plenty for the Wizards in year-one.

Okongwu is the prototypical modern NBA center. His size, 6’9″ with a 7’1″ wingspan, allows him to protect the paint and his quickness gives him the ability to switch on the perimeter. As the game moves further and further from the rim a center’s ability to defend the perimeter has become almost as important as their ability to defend the paint and Okongwu looks like he could excel in both areas. The Wizards lacked both attributes from their frontcourt last season and Okongwu could slot in as a day one starter.

Okongwu’s offensive game is limited to 16 feet and in but that’s not uncommon for young bigs. His ability to dribble, pass, screen, and finish at the rim portend an instant impact as a complementary player on offense. On a team with John Wall and Bradley Beal Okongwu should feast in the pick and roll as a rim runner while the rest of his offensive game develops. The appeal of Okongwu is two-fold for the Wizards.

First, he immediately improves a serious area of weakness as he can instantly anchor their defense. Second, his offensive game projects to include impact passing to go along with efficient finishing. Finding a defensive anchor that can create and finish is rare and Okongwu offers that upside, while also providing an immediate defensive impact. If Okongwu is available the Wizards should make him their franchise center.

But what if the top of the draft doesn’t go according to plan?