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The NBA Draft is one day away. This time last year, we were sifting through smokescreens, figuring out what the Cavalies would do with the first pick and debating Otto Porter vs. Anthony Bennett like madmen. This year is a little different. Washington has just the No. 46 pick in a very deep draft, but we have no clue what they plan on doing with it.
We do know they've taken a close look at a bunch of players. The Wizards have put several prospects that project to be around when Washington's on the clock through workouts, and Ernie Grunfeld has been overseeing each one of them. CSN Washington has a complete list.
Here's a few that stand out to me.
Roy Devyn Marble, G, Iowa: He'd fit the prototype the Wizards want out of a combo-guard off the bench. He's not a shooter, but has an array of advanced dribbles that help him attack the seams of the defense. He averaged 17 points per game for Iowa last season and used that scoring prowess and ability to get in the lane to work his dribble-drive game. His future in the league is contingent on improving as a jump shooter, but in the second round, he's worth it.
Alec Brown, F, Wisconsin Green-Bay: He's one of those guys that will probably spend a few years overseas or at the very least in the D-League, but he too fills a need. He's a stretch-big out of Green Bay that shot 42 percent from three in his senior season. He has a very fluid motion on his jumper and he's fully capable of attacking hard closeouts. Problem is, he doesn't have the physical profile of an NBA big man, which will assuredly make him a minus on the defensive end.
LaQuinton Ross, SG, Ohio State: The Wizards have worked him out twice, but I'm not totally buying into his potential even if he put up big numbers for Ohio State last season. He was their only threat on offense and sported a very high usage rate, which led to inflated per-game stats. He's a solid outside shooter, but his mechanics are very shaky and he's not much of a threat to finish at the rim. I don't know if he can be an end-of-the-bench guy at this level.
Nick Johnson, SG, Arizona: I think he could challenge Garrett Temple for that combo-guard role off the bench. He won't blow you away with his offense and he was often used strictly as a spot-up shooter, but defensively he brings it every night. He's a world-class athlete that has the quickness to recover and a make a play on the ball if he gets beat off the dribble. Seriously, just look at this game-saving block against San Diego State or what he does here on Rondae Hollis Jefferson.
They've also talked to Spencer Dinwiddie, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. He's just five months removed from a devastating ACL injury, but he has legitimate first round talent and would be a steal if he ever makes it to the 46th pick (unlikely).
Mock Drafts round-up
This being the day before the draft, the experts are releasing a bunch of mock drafts. Normally, they hold some merit, smokescreens or not, as many are packed with insider information from sources around the league. But this is the second round we're focusing on here, so there isn't much to be made of these picks.
- Chad Ford has the Wizards selecting Syracuse combo forward C.J. Fair with the 46th pick.
- CBS Sports has three separate mocks out from their trio of writers. Gary Parrish has Washington selecting Florida's Patric Young, Matt Moore has them taking Oklahoma State's Markel Brown (more on him later), and Zach Harper is going with Nikola Jokic.
- Jonathon Givony of Draft Express has Nick Johnson falling to the Wizards in his updated mock draft.