19) Washington Wizards—Thomas Sorber
Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber projects as a starting-caliber big man thanks to his play on both sides of the ball. The Washington Wizards could use more depth at power forward and center, with only Alexandre Sarr and potentially Ace Bailey as long-term pieces.
Sorber could potentially give the Wizards their frontcourt of the future. Sorber has a chance to be a productive center in the NBA, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game for Georgetown.
He is a terrific finisher in the paint, hitting nearly 60% of his 8.9 2-point attempts per game. Sorber has a soft touch around the rim and isn't reliant on dunks to finish effectively at the basket either. He also has good footwork in the post, especially when able to face up.
He could thrive in the NBA if paired with a skilled pick-and-roll playmaker, and Sorber has enough touch to be able to knock down mid-range jumpers. However, he only shot 16.2% from three this season.
His not projecting to become a 3-point shooter may limit him to playing center in the NBA. Still, if paired with Sarr, who projects to be a high-volume 3-point shooter, then Sorber might be a nice fit in Washington on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, he has good verticality, allowing him to make the most of his 7-4 arm span. He also displays good footwork when defending on the perimeter, with him often able to keep up with players on drives and contest at the rim.
Defensively, Sorber boasts impressive defensive metrics, including 3.5 stocks per game, which, paired with Sarr, could make for a strong pairing. If he's available at 19, the Wizards should jump at the chance to draft him.
20) Brooklyn Nets—Nolan Traore
The Brooklyn Nets have four first-round picks, and while they are likely to trade at least one of them, we'll have them make all four selections, starting with Nolan Traore. The French guard Traore is an intriguing prospect for a team in need of a point guard.
The 6-5 point guard has terrific passing vision, finding teammates by tossing passes at unorthodox angles. He is also fast for his size, allowing him to put pressure on defenses with his ability to push in transition or use quick bursts to get to the rim.
Taking a big and quick point guard who is just 18 and still growing into their own is a worthwhile gamble for the Nets. Given that they don't have a long-term point guard, taking Traore with one of their four firsts seems like a smart move as a result.
With Derik Queen and Traore, they could begin to put together the pieces of their roster. While neither is likely to be their next franchise player, they could both emerge as starters. Traore may take longer to develop, but the Nets essentially have four lottery tickets, and they should use one on a player such as him in the hopes he lives up to his potential.