Which Way Do They Go?
At No. 18, Wizards Aren't Certain Who'll Be There or if They'll Trade

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Depending on how the first round of tomorrow night's NBA draft unfolds, the Washington Wizards might select a player with the 18th overall pick, trade the pick in a package involving players already on their roster, or get out of the first round completely by dealing the selection for a future draft pick.

When asked what his plans were for the evening, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld grinned.

"Good question," Grunfeld said yesterday during a news conference at Verizon Center. "We're trying to figure that out right now."

In a draft that is deep with talent, particularly at the center position, but short on experienced players, the Wizards have options. The team also holds the 47th overall pick.

"There's been a lot of conversations about moving up, about moving back and maybe getting out of the draft," Grunfeld said. "Some of that might be contingent on who's out there and what's available for us, so you never know what's going to happen. But there have been a lot of conversations. Probably more than in years past."

Grunfeld, his scouts and coaching staff have familiarized themselves with prospects via pre-draft camps and individual workouts, but no real consensus has emerged as to which players will be available if the Wizards keep the 18th pick.

Various mock drafts have the team taking forward Darrell Arthur of Kansas (ESPN.com), center Robin Lopez of Stanford (NBADraft.net), forward Donte Greene of Syracuse (RealGM.com), guard Mario Chalmers of Kansas (HoopsWorld.com) or forward JaVale McGee of Nevada (InsideHoops.com).

The Wizards could very well select one of those players -- Greene stopped by Verizon Center for a last-minute workout yesterday afternoon -- or the team could go in another direction should a player such as shooting guard Brandon Rush of Kansas or center Roy Hibbert of Georgetown slip to the 18th spot.

It's also possible that the Wizards will take a page from the 2006 draft, when they took 7-foot Ukrainian Oleksiy Pecherov, by selecting an international prospect and having him stay overseas for at least one more year.

Hibbert, who is the most experienced center in a draft deep at that position, declined an invitation to work out for the Wizards because his agent felt that he is a lock to go higher than 18th. Grunfeld said that would not prevent the Wizards from taking him.

"We know the kid," Grunfeld said. "He's been around here for four years and we've seen him play dozens of times so we know what kind of character he has. So for a player like that, I don't think it's as important to bring him in."

Greene, a Baltimore native who is extremely talented but was also inconsistent during his one season at Syracuse, is another intriguing candidate. The Wizards had been trying to get him in for a workout for weeks and he finally made it yesterday.

It was a busy day for Greene, who worked out for the Houston Rockets yesterday before hopping a flight to Washington. The Rockets hold the 25th pick.

"I would be very happy," Greene said of the prospect of being selected by Washington. "It would definitely be an honor to play for the Wizards."

Washington could also reach for a player who meets its needs and is projected to go late in the first round, such as power forward J.J. Hickson. He played only one season at North Carolina State but has been impressive in workouts and has the kind of rugged game that could help the Wizards.

As the night progresses, Grunfeld may also elect to trade either or both picks for selections in future drafts.

Amid the uncertainty, it is likely that the Wizards aren't going to land an instant-impact player at the 18th spot. Grunfeld has repeatedly stated his intentions of retaining free agents Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison and the roster is deep with veterans. Plus the team had three rookies last season in Pecherov, Nick Young and Dominic McGuire and has a 21-year-old in forward Andray Blatche, so the roster doesn't have much room for more developmental cases.

"There are a lot of younger players in this draft so most of the players you take you're going to have to wait on for a few years and develop," Grunfeld said. "There are a few players who might be able to step in and help right away but the majority are younger players. There are a lot of freshmen, a lot of sophomores coming out. It's a deep draft but it's also an uncertain draft."

Wizards Notes: Forwards Will Thomas (George Mason) and Will Daniels (Rhode Island) also participated in yesterday's workout. . . .

Grunfeld said that center Etan Thomas, who missed last season after undergoing open-heart surgery in October, is working out regularly and has been cleared for all basketball-related activity.