After picking Dylan Harper second overall, the Wizards drafting another guard might seem like a bad idea. But with two first-round picks, they should draft the best player available, and that could be French guard Nolan Traore.
He is one of the best point guards in this year's draft class. Given the Wizards troubles scoring the ball this season, having yet another ball handler and playmaker who can create for others and himself is a luxury.
Jordan Poole and Harper will like to start together, and Traore will likely find playing time as the Wizards continue to rebuild next season. If he pans out, then he could be a solid guard who is one of the more creative passers in the draft.
Nolan Traore has been on an upswing the past two months, notching impressive wins against high-level opponents while showcasing his outstanding speed, shot creation, and passing at 18 years old. Will have a lot of NBA eyeballs on him in April/May. pic.twitter.com/DQJvSDwaY0
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 14, 2025
He is able to find teammates by throwing dimes at crafty angles while also boasting a nearly 2:1 assists-to-turnover ratio. Traore is also fast, with him being hard to stay in front of in the fast break, and he uses his speed to his advantage in the half-court.
He can stop and start on a dime, keeping defenders guessing and allowing him to get into the paint consistently. His 3-point shot is below 30%, and he's shooting only around 72% from the line, calling into question his ability to shoot, but his jumper actually looks solid. If it is in the NBA, then Traore could be a steal if taken in the 20s.
With the second of Denver's newly acquired picks in this hypothetical scenario, they could take Will Riley. Riley is having a solid season at Illinois, averaging 12.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game while showing the potential to fill a key NBA role.
Riley's size, at 6-8, and defensive versatility make him the ideal size for a small forward who can scale up and play and guard fours. Of course, for him to survive in the NBA, he will need to knock down threes, and while he is only shooting 32.1% from deep, that has actually improved since our last mock draft when he was shooting just 31.5% from three on around four attempts per game.
Phenomenal performance from Will Riley versus Xavier, showing all his offensive talent. 22 points making shots off the bounce, playing with pace in PNR, finishing skillfully, and demonstrating impressive scoring instincts and aggressiveness. Illinois takes on Kentucky tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/wuEnWpk4qu
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 22, 2025
His shot looks fine, and he's taking them at a high enough volume to suggest that he has confidence in his jumper. Better still, he's shooting 71.5% on a decent amount of free throw attempts—a good sign that he can develop into a shooter in the NBA.
His role in the NBA may not be strictly as a classic three-and-D wing, however, with him showing off more skill as a passer. If Denver were to acquire him, they would probably use him more in the role of a bigger Christian Braun and could thrive playing alongside Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets may not need Riley now, but if Wiley can quickly develop into a cheap rotation-caliber wing who can bury open threes and defend several positions, then he'd be a nice long-term piece that could help to offset Denver's bigger contracts.