Previewing The Wizards Draft Part 1

Going into the 2011 NBA Draft, The Wizards can use help at just about every position except point guard. With picks 6 & 18, the Wizards will look to add toughness to an inconsistent front court. Considered to be a weak draft class compared to recent years, the Wizards hope to land a piece to the building puzzle around John Wall.

The targets at pick #6 include:
C Enes Kanter - Great size for NBA center at 6'11" 260. Missed a whole year of basketball after committing to Kentucky because the NCAA deemed him ineligible to play for receiving benefits while playing pro ball in Turkey.

Strengths - NBA ready game, possesses great strength, back to the basket & face up skills, decent wingspan, solid mid range game.

Weaknesses- Very limited athletically, limited potential

Notes: Broke Dirk Nowitzki's Nike Hoop Summit scoring record with 34 points in 23 minutes of play. 14 reps on the bench press at the combine. 32 & a half inch vertical.

SF Kawhi Leonard - San Diego State forward averaged 15.5 ppg & 10.6 rpg, leading the surprising Aztecs to a Sweet 16 loss to the eventual Nationals Champs.

Strengths - High Energy, Terrific Leaper, Great rebounder, Huge Wingspan

Weaknesses - Poor Shooter, possesses no moves to allow him to score consistently, tweener

Notes: Has the largest wingspan ever for a player 6'6'' & under with a 7'4" wingspan.

SF Jan Vesely - International player that could've been a top 10 pick in last year's draft.  One of the most athletically gifted Euro player's I've ever seen.

Strengths - Great size, 6'11'' 230, Superior Athleticism, Runs the floor well, Improving 3 pt shot, Great energy

Weaknesses - Inconsistent shooter, needs to add strength, 46% FT Shooter, Poor rebounder for his size

Notes: Played major minutes in big time pro ball in Europe the last 2 years.

C Jonas Valanciunas - 19 Year Old Lithuanian prospect that has drawn comparisions to other Euro players such as Andris Biedrins & Nenad Krstic.

Strengths - Huge Hands, Long Wingspan, Good bball IQ, Decent face up game, soft touch around the basket, Solid shot blocker

Weaknesses - Lacks Strength, limited post moves

Notes: Led the Lithuanian under-18 team to Gold Medal in the Euro Championships. Had a 31 pt 18 rebound performance in the gold medal game.

PF Marcus Morris - Versatile Forward from Kansas University. Averaged 17 ppg & 7 rpg per game in his junior year.

Strengths - Efficient scorer, good low post skills, Good form on jumpshot, high motor, decent rebounder

Weaknesses - Lacks length, limited potential, lacks explosion

Notes: Twin Brother Markieff is a projected lottery pick as well.

What the Wizards do with the 6th pick

What the Wizards Want?

Enes Kanter. The Wizards likely would've picked Kanter if they won a top 3 pick in the lottery. Falling to number 6 seemed to hurt their chances. But with the top 2 picks almost assuredly being Kyrie Irving & Derrick Williams, & Utah looking to upgrade at the point guard position at pick 3, there's a possibility Kanter could fall to 6.

What's likely to happen?

Cleveland will pick Enes Kanter at 4 & the Wizards will draft Kawhi Leonard.

Sleeper pick

Marcus Morris from Kansas.

Part 2 detailing the 18th pick soon to come.