Final Mock Draft Before Draft Lottery (5-28-12)

 It’s extremely difficult to predict what will happen to Jared Sullinger this early.  The draft is about a month away now and it’s so hard to predict what will happen with him.  If he came out last year then he would have easily been the 4th pick in the draft.  However, he chose to stay in school and for a wide variety of reasons, his draft stock has fallen.  Partially because he plays below the rim and also because this year’s draft class is extremely deep.  

Jared Sullinger already has a well-developed post game, an improved perimter jump shot, and can rebound the ball.  I think by the end of the Draft Combine he will have jumped back up into the lottery, but as of right now, I just see too much potential in other prospects, thus him slipping to the #15 pick. 

 I honestly don’t see any reason for the Wizards not to take a chance on Andre Drummond.  Sure, he was inconsistant at Connecticut, but this guy has some of the best potential in this year’s draft.  He has already shown the ability to finish around the rim, his ability to block shots and affect them, and defend and rebound very well.  He is also an athletic freak who runs the floor well, and was one of the fastest guys on his Conecticut team at 6’11", 270.  

Those kind of freakish attributes are rare among big men, and I think Washington could really use a player like Drummond.  If they were to take him, they could put him at the 5, and move Nene to the 4.  I think this would help jump-start Nene’s production in Washington and would create two very nice floor-runners for John Wall in the transition game.  Wall likes to get out and run, and having 2 big men who will go out and run with him will only help John Wall’s development as an upincoming star point guard.  

With Nene at the 4 and Drummond at the 5, this allows Washington to move Jan Vesely to the 4 where he is the most comfortable and he could come off of the bench in relief for both Nene and at the 3 spot for Chris Singleton will will take over the starting role.  

John Wall – Jordan Crawford – Chris Singleton – Nene – Andre Drummond

Shelvin Mack – William Buford – Rashard Lewis – Jan Vesely – Andray Blatche

 Yeah, I was trying to think of Seraphin but his name would not pop into my head for whatever reason.  You’re correct about him, he actually had a pretty good season for Washington.  The Wizards need to move Blatche anyway.  His basketball I.Q. is herendous, and I believe he and JaVale McGee may have combined to be the stupidest frontcourt in the history of the NBA.  Who knows, JaVale really benefitted by playing under such a respected coach in George Karl, maybe Blatche could benefit by the same process.  He doesn’t fit in Washington anymore, so he may have no other option.