For the first time in years, the Washington Wizards are projected to have a terrific offseason. For the first time since 2010, they have the number one pick in this year's draft and have several great options at the top of the draft board.
BYU star AJ Dybantsa seems like the most obvious choice to be selected first. However, there have been calls from several prominent former Wizards players, including John Wall and Bradley Beal, for them to select Kansas star Darryn Peterson.
Washington has given no hints of who they may draft, though the consensus seems to be Dybantsa. Nevertheless, this is where things get interesting.
The Utah Jazz have the second overall pick and have ties to Dybantsa, and he just spent a year playing college in Utah. That has led to speculation that the Jazz may be willing to trade up.
All eyes are on the Washington Wizards ahead of NBA Draft night
The idea of the Wizards trading back from the first to the second pick makes some sense. If they do indeed value Peterson over Dybantsa, then pretending as though they are interested in Dybantsa may force the Jazz to trade up.
In that scenario, the Wizards could extract another first-round pick from the Jazz to trade back to number two. If that ultimately happens, Washington could be stacked next season.
Having Trae Young, Peterson, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and Anthony Davis as a starting five in the Eastern Conference could make waves.
The Wizards have their best chance to build a contender
Having that lineup could be a perfect blend of youth and experience. Young and Davis are two stars who have been around the block, while Peterson has superstar potential.
Coulibaly and especially Sarr both are promising prospects. If the Wizards could make that happen, it could propel Washington back to the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Better still, they could have significant upside, possibly making them future contenders. All that rides on what they choose to do in the NBA Draft. If the Jazz are desperate enough to trade up, and the Wizards believe that Peterson is the better player, trading back is the smart move for them.
Getting a first-round pick and getting the player they want seems like the obvious choice for Washington.
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