The Washington Wizards received their most likely result in Thursday night's draft lottery by landing the No. 9 pick, the same place they were last year when they selected Rui Hachimura.
Having the ninth pick leaves a wide range of possibilities for Washington. Here are five players to watch with analysis from Chase Hughes and Tyler Byrum...
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Killian Hayes, G, France
Age: 18 (turns 19 in July)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215
Wingspan: 6-8
2019/20 stats: 10 G, 26.8 mpg, 12.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 0.2 bpg, 45.5 FG% (4.6/10.1), 39.0 3PT% (1.6/4.1), 90.9 FT%
Hughes: This draft class is loaded with point guards and combo guards, all of which technically produce some redundancy with the Wizards' roster. Hayes, though, should be considered one of the exceptions because it seems like he would be able to play with both John Wall and Bradley Beal and maybe even at the same time in three-guard lineups. Also, given the Wizards' current state, they really can't afford to pass on a potentially great player just because he isn't a perfect positional fit. They need to take the best player available, even if there could be a playing time conundrum down the road.
Isaac Okoro, G/F, Auburn
Age: 19
Height: 6-6
Weight: 225
Wingspan: 6-8.5
2019/20 stats: 28 G, 31.5 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 51.4 FG% (4.5/8.7), 29.0 3PT% (0.7/2.5), 67.2 FT%
Byrum: A wing without much of a 3-point game might not be exactly what the Wizards are looking for in this year's draft. Washington has plenty of players who have a natural driving ability in Wall, Beal and Rui Hachimura. What Okoro would bring though is a defensive intensity that is lacking from their guard play and a leader off the bench. The 19-year-old would immediately become Washington's best and most versatile defender.
Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida State
Age: 19 (turns 20 in Aug.)
Height: 6-7
Weight: 194
Wingspan: 6-10
2019/20 stats: 30 G, 28.8 mpg, 12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.0 bpg, 49.0 FG% (4.8/9.8), 41.5 3PT% (1.5/3.5), 73.8 FT%
Hughes: In some respects, Vassell would fit quite perfectly with the Wizards. He plays a position of need at the three and he excels on defense. He is also a knockdown shooter, which would pair well in a lineup with Wall at the helm and Beal spreading the floor. With Beal and Vassell drawing the defense out, Wall and Hachimura would have more space to work with driving to the rim. A lineup with Beal, Vassell and Davis Bertans, if he re-signs, could be lethal.
Onyeka Okongwu, PF, USC
Age: 19
Height: 6-9
Weight: 245
Wingspan: 7-1
2019/20 stats: 27 G, 30.6 mpg, 16.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 2.7 bpg, 61.6 FG% (6.3/10.1), 25.0 3PT% (0.0/0.1), 72.0 FT%
Byrum: There is no denying that the Wizards are devoid of a post presence of shot-blocking and rebounding. It's been a noted need since the departure of Marcin Gortat. Okongwu's defensive prowess and rebounding skill will be why the Wizards draft him, but he can more than hold his own offensively. Okongwu has all the bells and whistles in terms of post moves to be able to create his own shot, which means he could be inserted into a lineup immediately.
Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis
Age: 20 (turns 21 in Sept.)
Height: 6-9
Weight: 225
Wingspan: 7-2
2019/20 stats: 31 G, 30.4 mpg, 15.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.9 bpg, 49.3 FG% (5.9/11.9), 32.5 3PT% (0.4/1.3), 59.9 FT%
Hughes: Achiuwa would fit well with the Wizards as he would help with two of their biggest weaknesses: rebounding and defense. He would arguably be their best rebounder the day he joins the organization and has the skillset to be their best rim protector, even though he's not of traditional center size. The Wizards could use a player like Achiuwa, who is tough and plays with energy. They have energetic bigs, but not one that could be the type of physical force Achiuwa projects to be. That would be a nice element to have off their bench next season.
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5 prospects to watch for the Wizards at the No. 9 pick including Isaac Okoro and Onyeka Okongwu originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
