THE 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft is rapidly approaching, with each team making their final preparations ahead of adding some young talent to the best competition in the world.

There is some seriously impressive young talent available, with the crop stretching all around the globe as more international players begin to gain recognition. Suddenly, the collegiate system is not the only method to joining the NBA, which has allowed a broader range of players to compete at the top level.

With the NBA wrapping up the 2023/24 season as we speak, the teams already eliminated have spent the past few weeks considering which players they will select to prepare for the future, and the recent Draft Lottery saw the official order determined.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each team and how their draft will potentially pan out on June 26-27. With all 30 sides in their own unique situation, there is plenty to unpack ahead of the next injection of exciting players.

Next on the list are the Washington Wizards, who will continue their rebuild with the second overall pick after another underwhelming campaign.

Washington Wizards

Draft Selections

2, 26, 52

Contracted Players

Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Marvin Bagley III, Richaun Holmes (player option), Landry Shamet, Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija, Johnny Davis (team option), Corey Kispert (player option), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (player option)

After making some moves that pointed towards building around youth last season, the Wizards have found themselves in a rebuild, and now have the opportunity to add even more young pieces to accelerate this process.

Washington’s first order of business is the second overall selection, where its method of approach could go one of two ways; select the best available player or go for the safest option at the position that is required. Alexandre Sarr would tick both boxes, but he seems likely to be selected by the Atlanta Hawks at pick one.

If the Wizards choose to select the best option on the board, the addition of Zaccharie Risacher would certainly make the list more talented. He played against Washington’s highest pick last year in Coulibaly, and would be an exciting prospect given his ability to play the two or the three at six-foot-nine. Bringing defensive versatility and impressive shotmaking, the Wizards could turn him into an exciting player if they can improve his ball-handling and creation.

If the Wizards look to go for positional need – which is a big man – then Donovan Clingan could be the man for the job. An excellent defender, the big man stands a whopping seven-foot-two, making him an effective option for Washington’s guards passing into the post. The Wizards have been lacking rim protection for years, and Clingan would certainly address that area.

With their next pick, another NBL Next Star could be on the cards, with Bobi Klintman an excellent pick for selection number 26. The forward has plenty of potential as a two-way contributor, and showed that with moments of games where he would completely take over, and the Wizards would be a destination that could benefit his game.

With its final selection, the Wizards would likely take the best available player at 52, and one option that could be available is Jalen Bridges. After shooting 41 per cent for Baylor this past season, the wing has shifted his name into the second-round conversation as a 3-and-D prospect.