With the date for the 2020 NBA Draft set, we begin our look at each team in the lottery relative to LaMelo Ball. What’s the outlook of the team, how does Ball fit into their roster and plans and what’s the likelihood of him landing with the franchise? We continue our profiles with the Washington Wizards.
Boston Celtics profile
New Orleans profile
Sacramento Kings profile
San Antonio Spurs profile
Phoenix Suns profile
The Team
The Washington Wizards have a rare combination of an uber-talented player in Bradley Beal and one of the worst records in the league, landing the No. 9 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The Wizards’ downfall has been largely their own doing through mismanagement from the top down. Despite that mismanagement, though, the team finds itself with some intriguing pieces as it balances between a rebuild and being competitive.
Thomas Bryant has looked like an increasingly impressive acquisition by the Wizards while Davis Bertans was the team’s breakout player this season. Rui Hachimura had a strong rookie campaign that earned him a spot on the All-Rookie team.
LaMelo Ball, though, could represent a face of the team’s next generation, which may or may not include Beal. As one of the names most likely to be discussed in trade rumors, Beal’s future in Washington is up in the air.
Realistically, he could be part of the package that nets them a pick high enough in the draft to take Ball. The Golden State Warriors’ desire for a big name could see them chase Beal, though it’s hard to imagine they have enough assets to do so. Still, they will chase him and moving up to the No. 2 pick puts them directly in range for Ball.
The one player that hasn’t been mentioned is John Wall, who has become an entirely unknown quantity at this point in his career. After multiple leg and foot injuries that will ultimately keep him off the NBA court for over two years, what level he will return at is a complete mystery.
The Fit
With or without Wall, Ball will slot in nicely for the Wizards. Last season, the team started Isaac Bonga, Gary Payton II, Shabazz Napier, Ish Smith and Isaiah Thomas at point guard last season, none of which impressed much.
At worst, Ball can come in from day one and be the best backup point guard on the roster and the point guard of the future. In his best-case scenario, Ball comes in as the starter from day one and offers Beal an offensive complement he didn’t have last season. Ball’s ability to playmaker and ballhandler is something the team did not have last season.
Outside of the on-court value, Ball would be the face of the rebuild in Washington. In honesty, he may be the most popular player on the team from day one. He would bring back a level of notoriety to the Wizards that they’ve lacked for multiple years.
Ball and Beal would certainly be a talented and dynamic backcourt. Paired with Hachimura and Bryant, it’d be an intriguing young core as well.
The Likelihood
The biggest issue in finding a way for Ball to land in Washington is how the team moves up in the draft for him. Because of that, the probability of it all happening is low.
Chances of Ball landing in Washington: 5%