3 potential landing spots for 2022 NBA Draft prospect Johnny Davis: 3. Washington Wizards
In a recent ESPN mock draft, the Washington Wizards selected Johnny Davis with the ninth overall pick. While the Wizards’ pick may still fluctuate, the fit is almost certain to remain.
Despite making a bevy of moves in recent years, the future of Washington remains unclear. Bradley Beal is the obvious star, but he isn’t getting any younger as the front office continues to build around him. Big man Kristaps Porzingis is in the building now too, but Washington is still banking on the development of Rui Hachimura.
What Washington is in need of is a point guard of the future. The only point guard under contract for next season is Ish Smith, and his contract is not guaranteed. It’s time for Washington to invest in this position in a sensible way, not in a trade-for-Russell-Westbrook-and-hope-for-the-best type of way.
Davis should be a good fit in Washington, willing to fight hard for each possession, but knowing when to get teammates involved. The Badger became the alpha in Wisconsin because nobody else was ready for that role, but he can grow into that in Washington without needing to rush due to the other capable scorers in town.
One potential issue is development time. While Davis could have the ability to grow over the course of two or three years ago, the Wizards are constantly subject to rumors about blowing things up, particularly in regards to Beal. If the front office pulls the trigger, Davis might be forced to do too much too soon.
But Davis fits the mold well. He can create his own shots and he can go downhill and finish towards the rim. He could either contribute at point guard or serve as a strong backup shooting guard to Beal, depending on the rotation.
The ninth pick may arguably prove to be too early for a developmental project like Davis, but the Wizards could reap a good reward in the long run.