2020 NBA Draft: Wizards select Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert with the No. 15 pick

With a lottery filled with surprises, the Washington Wizards selected Gonzaga wing Corey Kispert with the 15th pick in the draft.

The surprises began early with the Toronto Raptors choosing Scottie Barnes over Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs. Suggs went fifth to a grateful Orlando Magic. After that, the floodgates opened — Australian point guard Josh Giddey went sixth to the Oklahoma City Thunder (a few picks earlier than anticipated), Davion Mitchell went to Sacramento (presumably as a third guard), and then...Ziaire Williams (who had a borderline grade in YODA) went 10th to the Pelicans, and the Spurs shockingly chose Josh Primo, who probably could have been taken in the second round.

When the Indiana Pacers chose Chris Duarte, and the Golden State Warriors picked Moses Moody, Gonzaga sharpshooter Corey Kispert was available to the Wizards.

In Kispert, the Wizards get a high-quality shooter who’s likely to take over the starting wing role next season. Kispert has issues on the defensive end (he fits the traditional Washington Wizards profile), but he’s a bona fide sniper who can shoot on the move and attack closeouts.

With Russell Westbrook dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and the 22nd pick in the draft (and barring other trades), the Wizards have added depth in key areas. Don’t be shocked to see Miles McBride or Jared Butler join the team at 22.

Interestingly, Kispert ended up being the selection in the SBNation blogger draft. Albert Lee, Diamond Holton and myself picked him after Turkish center Alperen Sengun went 14th.

In real life, Sengun — a remarkably productive big man in a good professional league — was available. With three centers already on the roster, the Wizards went with Kispert.

In Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (my stat-based draft analysis tool), Kispert was the seventh ranked prospect.