The Washington Wizards have the No. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. With Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre gone, youth will be a necessity for them this offseason.
All signs (and odds) pointed to the Washington Wizards earning a top five pick, but the Basketball Gods weren’t working in their favor on lottery night. The Wizards hopes at a top pick were dashed instantly when it was announced during the NBA Draft Lottery show on Tuesday night that they would have the ninth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
All isn’t lost for Washington, though. After all, they still need to hire a general manager after firing Ernie Grunfeld. Grunfeld held the position for 16 seasons and his contract was even re-upped this past offseason before team officials decided to fire him on April 2. Since then, the search for a new GM has been a quiet one. Hiring one is probably first priority now with the No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft.
The Wizards stumbled into the end of the 2018-19 season with John Wall missing a majority of the season with a torn left Achilles’ and free agent signing Dwight Howard missing all but nine games due to a lower back injury.
By season’s end, the traded away Austin River, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Otto Porter Jr. away to the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls, respectively, for Bobby Portis, Trevor Ariza and Jabari Parker. The Wizards finished 30-52 with the playoffs nowhere in sight.
Things couldn’t have gone worse for them last season but the future is bright given they have the No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft. Here’s a look at three possible selections that could catapult them in the right direction.