2021 NBA Draft: Wizards select Isaiah Todd No. 31 overall

With the 31st pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards selected Isaiah Todd, a PF who bypassed college to spend a developmental year with the G League Ignite.

The Wizards began the night with the 15th pick in the draft, which they used on Gonzaga SF Corey Kispert. They also had a busy night of deal-making, trading triple-double king Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and the 22nd pick in the draft.

They then sent the 22nd pick plus Anthony Gill and Caleb Homesley for PG Aaron Holiday and the 31st selection in the draft.

Holiday figures to be a reserve guard behind whoever Washington is able to acquire to take over the starting backcourt role from Westbrook. He rated at replacement level last season, and he’s never been even an average producer. As a backup, he should be okay, however.

In Todd, the Wizards are getting a project — a slender 19-year old with a good three-point shooting stroke who needs work on just about every part of his game. Still, he has good physical tools and might grow into a contributor over the next 2-3 seasons.

The Wizards bypassed a few players who graded out as better prospects in YODA — my stats-driven draft evaluation tool. Among these: Gonzaga combo guard Joel Ayayi, Baylor PG Jared Butler, and West Virginia PG Miles McBride.