The Washington Wizards had a 10.3% chance to win the 2010 NBA lottery and they did just that, jumping ahead of the Nets, Timberwolves, Kings, and Warriors. Kentucky point guard John Wall is considered the consensus number one pick in the draft and I can’t disagree with that selection. Wall needs to improve his man-to-man defense and his outside shot, but his ability to create offensive opportunities for his teammates is unquestionable. He would be a huge asset to the Washington Wizards should they choose to keep the pick.
The Wizards decided to break up their team this season by dealing core pieces Antawn Jamison (to the Cavs) and Caron Butler (to the Mavericks). The only star player remaining on their roster is Gilbert Arenas, but he missed most of the season for bringing a gun into the locker room. Arenas has four years and almost $80 million left on his monster contract with the team and there’s little chance they’ll be able to move him. Even with Gil coming back, I have a feeling the Wizards will take Wall and slowly begin the process of making the Wizards Wall’s team.
Gilbert was never a point guard in high school or college and he has not been a true point in the NBA. When the Wizards signed him, they made him their top ball handler but he usually served the role of team scorer rather than facilitator. Arenas tried to change his game this season (prior to the gun suspension) and become more of a passer, but he always had a poor assist-to-turnover ratio. Simply put, Arenas is more of a scorer than actual point guard, so if the Wizards choose to keep both, Gilbert will probably slide over to the two spot. This can actually work out well for the Wizards as long as Gilbert accepts his new role. John Wall would be a major asset for the Wizards and they should seize the opportunity to select him and make him their leader. They needed a new face to their franchise and they now will have one.
