NBA Draft: Grades for all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference NBA Draft Grades: Washington Wizards

Picks: Johnny Davis, Guard, Wisconsin (10); Yannick Nzosa, Center, Malaga (54)

The Washington Wizards were in the center of trade rumors all week long, reportedly seeking a veteran point guard in return for the No. 10 pick. While they could still make a move, with that pick or using other assets, but when they came on the clock they made the pick and took Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis.

Davis had an up-and-down college season as one of the nation’s top scorers, but he has a high floor because of his relentless defense. The Wizards could try to play Davis and Beal together, and the fit looks good on paper; Beal as the nominal point guard, Davis as the secondary shot creator and defender of the best opposing guard. The value was about right; he was 11th on my board and went 10th. At least they didn’t take another combo forward.

In the second round, they picked up Yannick Nzosa, a raw center prospect from the Congo who played the last two seasons at Malaga in the ACB (the top Spanish league). He’s big and athletic and relatively light on his feet, profiling as a great, if not elite defender. The problem is that he can’t shoot, score, pass or even catch the ball right now. He needs major work to even bring him into the “Festus Ezeli” realm of offensive impact.

They still may have moves to make, but in the end their draft was fine. Not a ton to work with, reasonable value with both picks.

Grade: B-