Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.Can a team win without defense? The "success" of teams like the Suns, Nuggets and Warriors the last several years says no, as does this year's success (no sarcastic quotation marks needed this time) of the Celtics. The Wizards have been slow to get the memo, though, instead hoping their failures have been the result of untimely injuries.
Picks: #18, #47
Needs: What the Wizards really need is to re-sign Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. As for the draft, it'll be tough for a rookie to crack the rotation regardless of position. Since the draft is so deep with big man, I'm guessing that's what they'll end up.
Best case scenario: How about Roy Hibbert? After playing four years at Georgetown, he wouldn't even have to leave the District. Plus, he's a bit more polished than some of the other big man and stands the best chance of contributing meaningful minutes as a rookie. Alternatively, if a point guard like Mario Chalmers falls in their lap, he'd be hard to pass up.
More likely scenario: Hibbert is definitely a realistic option, but so is Darrell Arthur, who worked out for the team Wednesday and whose game has been compared to Jamison's.
Please don't take: Robin Lopez. The Wizards already have a pair of scoring-deficient centers in Etan Thomas (who's returning from heart surgery) and Brendan Haywood. The only big men this team should be going after are ones with offensive know-how in the paint.
Trade possibilities: Don't be surprised if the Wizards trade out of the draft. This team needs to win today, and they can't find a rookie ready to contribute immediately, they may shop the pick to a team that can afford to be more patient.
