| This could be something big for the Washington Wizards and also in the upcoming years. Winning the first pick in the NBA 2010 Draft gives them the chance to take John Wall or Evan Turner, two of the highly acclaimed hopefuls in the draft. The Wizards, projected to end up 5th overall, could have a very big 2010-2011 season since marquee star Gilbert Arenas is also set to return. After trading Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison away in the middle of the 2009-2010 season, the Wizards could now head to rebuilding with their number 1 pick and Arenas (hopefully). The Philadelphia 76ers, projected to be 6th overall, got the 2nd overall pick while cellar dweller, the New Jersey Nets, got the third overall pick. The Nets were expected to land at the number 1 spot. Rounding up the draft picks are Minnesota (4th), Sacramento (5th), Golden State (6th), Detroit (7th), Los Angeles Clippers (8th), Utah (9th - from New York via Phoenix), Indiana (10th), New Orleans (11th), Memphis (12th), Toronto (13th), and Houston (14th). The Nets, finishing the season with a 12-70 record, had a 25% chance of winning the lottery but fell to third overall. The last time a team who finished with the worst record the previous season got the number 1 overall pick was back in 2004 by the Orlando Magic and they got Dwight Howard in the draft. Should the Wizards pick Wall, they could finally get a replacement for Arenas whom they could trade away. With a good salary cap space, the Wizards could ideally send Arenas away and get somebody in return and tab somebody like Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, or Joe Johnson from the free agency. It should be worth noting that the Wizards had one of the biggest draft busts in league history. The Wizards drafted Kwame Brown as the number 1 overall draft pick in 2001 and turned out to be a major disappointment. The Wizards better hope that this one would turn out for the best this time. |