Five NBA Draft options for the Wizards

There wasn't much movement beyond the top few picks when the 2023 NBA Draft order was decided on Tuesday night, and the Washington Wizards, who held the eighth-best odds, will be staying put right there.

Despite missing out on this year's prize in generational prospect Victor Wembanyama, Washington will have good options at No. 8. Here are five.

Anthony Black (PG, Arkansas)

Black seems like the ideal pick for the Wizards if he's available at No. 8. At Arkansas last season under former NBA head coach Eric Musselman, he outshined more highly-regarded fellow freshman Nick Smith, Jr., and emerged as potentially one of the best point guards in this draft class.

Washington is in dire need of a point guard whom they can develop as its floor general. Black, who is praised for his ball-handling and facilitating ability, would be a great fit.

Cam Whitmore (SF, Villanova)

Whitmore wasn't healthy last season but didn't see his draft stock slip too much. He's a projected top-10 pick with all the tools of a modern NBA wing.

Washington  has Kyle Kuzma, a pending free agent, in a similar role. If the team intends to let him walk or sign and trade him elsewhere, Whitmore could step in nicely. 

Jordan Hawkins (SG, Connecticut)

Arguably no player's draft stock skyrocketed more during the 2023 NCAA Tournament than Hawkins, who helped lead Connecticut to a national title. He's an elite three-level scorer who can play both guard positions.

Washington could use a player like Hawkins to either pair with Bradley Beal in the backcourt or to become the go-to guy in a post-Beal world. His versatility certainly works in his favor there.

Cason Wallace (PG, Kentucky)

If the Wizards want a defensive-minded point guard, Wallace is the guy. He's considered one of the best defenders in the draft, and though his scoring efficiency is a weakness, that can improve.

Wallace would be a great fit next to Bradley Beal, as he'd take pressure off of him defensively and allow him to play off-ball more. If he develops into a reliable scoring threat, that would be an added bonus.

Trade up for Scoot Henderson (PG, G League Ignite)

This is the wild-card option, and it's something the Wizards should strongly consider. Lost in the hype for Wembanyama is that Henderson, in most years, would be a surefire No. 1 pick. He's considered a potentially franchise-changing player who could become one of the best point guards in the NBA.

Henderson's game is reminiscent of former Wizards star John Wall, who was on track to have a Hall of Fame-level career before injuries derailed it. The G League prospect has incredible court vision and athleticism, and despite being the clear No. 2 prospect, it's uncertain where he'll land.

The Charlotte Hornets hold that second pick, but they already have LaMelo Ball as their franchise point guard, so they may trade down or pass on Henderson. The Portland Trail Blazers, who pick third, have openly expressed a desire to trade their selection. Washington should be aggressively pursuing this opportunity.

The Wizards would likely have to give up either Beal or Kristaps Porzingis in this hypothetical, but if Henderson is anything resembling the prospect he's made out to be, it would be worth it.