The Wizards' tanking efforts were rewarded Sunday with the first overall pick in June's NBA draft. The top of the draft class is loaded with potential franchise-altering talent, meaning there isn't a no-brainer No. 1 selection. Who will Washington pick?
You can find the full lottery order here and read our first mock draft here.
No. 1 overall pick odds
| Players | Odds |
|---|---|
| AJ Dybantsa | -400 |
| Darryn Peterson | +320 |
| Cameron Boozer | +2500 |
| Caleb Wilson | +2500 |
| Keaton Wagler | +10000 |
| Brayden Burries | +20000 |
The first pick is a two-horse race. Cameron Boozer was tabbed as a potential first overall pick before the collegiate season, and he had a tremendous campaign, becoming the fifth freshman to win National Player of the Year. The four other freshman winners all became No. 1 picks, but Boozer is considered the third-best player in this draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
Although the gap between the two isn't as large as the odds indicate, Dybantsa is considered the better and safer prospect. Peterson's stock fell when cramping issues and hamstring injuries led him to miss time and even ask to be removed from games. He rarely offered explanations during the season, leading to speculation that he lacked passion for basketball. Fair or not, a franchise looking at Peterson as its potential savior needs to evaluate his mental makeup as well as his physical condition.
Dybantsa established himself as the most dominant scorer in college basketball, leading the nation with 25.5 points per game in his lone season at BYU. At 6-foot-9, he can glide to the hoop and finish around the rim effectively. His handle is elite for his size, and he can create his own shot in various ways, including as a pull-up jump shooter. Dybantsa's footwork and finesse are undeniable, and he doesn't rely exclusively on his size to create separation. He's a made-in-a-lab NBA scorer.
Peterson is a brilliant scorer in his own right. He's a better pure shotmaker than Dybantsa and put together ridiculous scoring runs at Kansas using his jump shot and athleticism. Peterson's physical tools pose an impossible challenge for defenders. However, his rim attacks diminished at Kansas, likely because of injuries. His shooting can't carry his offensive game by itself. However, Peterson's high school highlight tape shows he has the athleticism to get downhill when he's healthy.
The Wizards acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis during the season, win-now moves signaling the end of their rebuild. The basketball gods rewarded that approach with the top pick. Either candidate to go No. 1 would seamlessly slide into Washington's infrastructure. The Wizards have a reliable frontcourt featuring Davis and Alex Sarr and a presentable mix of guards and forwards in Young, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington, and Will Riley. Adding either Dybantsa or Peterson as a wing scorer will accelerate the Wizards' journey to contention.
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