THE WASHINGTON Wizards added a trio of young players to continue their rebuild at the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago last month, making smart decisions with their two first round picks and one second round selection.

The Wizards are coming off another season that delivered a poor record, but there were promising signs with the team’s young talent, with the likes of former NBL Next Star Alexandre Sarr and Bub Carrington excelling in their first season as Washington heads towards a new core to contend with in the coming decade.

Now, the Wizards have added another three players to their roster, including a seriously talented guard who they took with their first selection at the 2025 intake, and should be a key piece in the coming years.

Washington Wizards

Drafted Players

Tre Johnson (pick six), Will Riley (pick 21), Jamir Watkins (pick 43)

It was a successful draft for the Wizards in terms of addressing some key needs on their team, getting a proven match-winner inside the top 10 and a pair of promising wings with their remaining two selections for 2025.

Their first pick and the sixth overall selection came down to who was taken by the teams selecting ahead of the Wizards, and when Johnson fell to them, they simply could not say no. The guard will join an exciting young core in Washington, and will get the opportunity to be a central figure on the offensive end early in his career.

During his time in the NCAA, Johnson announced himself as one of the clutchest players in the country with his ability to find the bottom of the net in crunch time, and will be given the ball down the stretch for the Wizards in years to come.

His offensive ability is immense, with his off-the-dribble scoring proving tough to stop at times and his three-level-scoring prowess a huge weapon for whatever team he plays for. Johnson turned heads at the recent NBA Summer League too, emerging as one of the most exciting rookies from this draft class with some excellent offensive performances.

With their next first round selection, the Wizards added Riley from the Illinois Fighting Illini, who should be a starting wing in the coming years. He has a tremendous amount of upside, and with the Wizards already boasting some forward options short-term, he will be given time to develop and truly tap into his potential.

His inside scoring and playmaking are already clear weapons for Riley, while he has shown to have excellent upside as a three-point shooter as well. If he can develop his game under veterans such as Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum, he could develop into a star in the coming years.

With their sole selection on night two, the Wizards rounded out their draft haul with Watkins, who brings versatility as a forward and can play several roles in the future. At 24 years of age, he is a mature age recruit, but his balanced skillset allow him to slot into any lineup and contribute in some way.

The Wizards can leave the 2025 NBA Draft happy with the trio of players they acquired, with Johnson in particular boasting the potential to be one of the best guards in the competition at some stage throughout his career.