WIZARDS OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLACE
WIZARDS OF CHAMPIONSHIP PLACE
By Muntradamus
BEAST DOME NATION.
My last Basketball article before BEAST DOME goes heavy into Fantasy Football mode, with a touch of summer time Baseball to keep us entertained. The NBA Draft is coming up and the Washington Wizards have a decision to make with the #1 Pick.
AJ DYBANSTA
First name that comes to my head when I watch Dybansta play, Tracy McGrady. Dybansta can be an ‘iso’ nightmare at 6’9/215 when he decides he wants to score. He can catch the ball from behind the three point line, methodically drive to the paint, create his own shot almost whenever he wants. Single coverage in the NBA will probably not be able to stop him, unless it is a premiere defender such as Dillon Brooks, as Dybansta strength is okay, but still a bit raw for the NBA. Dybansta also has amazing vision and passing ability, if teams double he is not afraid to make the right pass. The problem with Dybansta is his three point shot, while he could improve, right now it is a weakness. Playing SF in the NBA, you need a three point shot, especially if you are the #1 pick.
CAMERON BOOZER
First name that comes to my head when I watch Boozer play, Zion Williamson. This is the better shape version of Zion with more body control. Boozer can really do it all, drives to the paint, post up, getting that big dunk. Everything everyone wanted from Zion, but in an amazing body at 6’9/250 of pure muscle, that is Cameron Boozer. Boozer also has great vision and passing ability, even hits the three point shot more consistently than Dybansta. With the NBA turning the PF spot into the stretch four, Boozer fits the bill perfectly. His body and skills are NBA ready right away.
DARRYN PETERSON
First name that comes to my head when I watch Peterson play, Michael Jordan. Peterson’s speed with the ball when he makes his moves is on another level. Barely anybody in the NBA even has a chance to stick with his speed, and if they go with too small of a guard against him, he will be too powerful and tall at 6’5/195. On top of the speed, his shot is money and he does not need a lot of space to put it in the bucket. There will be plenty of 30+ point performances for Peterson in his career, even his rookie season. There is no weakness in his game, he is maybe the most special pure scoring talent that we have seen in a long time. Allen Iverson speed, Michael Jordan body. Peterson also plays great defense and always finds himself creating fast break opportunities for his team.
WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WAS THE WIZARDS
The Wizards made two interesting acquisitions last season trading for Trae Young & Anthony Davis. Interesting because the Wizards had no business acquiring two aging superstars on a team that has not won 20 games since 2022-2023. Trae Young who is turning 28 next year may have only a few years left of being a top tier PG, especially at his size if his speed declines a bit. Anthony Davis who just turned 33 years old really only has two years left, or one more injury before the NBA stops viewing him as a top tier big man. Both of these players window to win a NBA Championship is right NOW!
The rest of the Wizards outside of Alex Sarr who is really turning into a consistent high scoring big man who can space the floor, are filled with role players. George & Coulibay are two solid 3 & D wing players, Tre Johnson is a good player to develop, pure scorer but very inconsistent. Carrington/Whitmore/Champaigne/Riley are all guys who can be productive for what they do when they get the minutes.
WITH THE #1 PICK I SELECT..
Trade it to the Houston Rockets. Get Amen Thompson & Kevin Durant.
The Rockets would love to get rid of Kevin Durant after the way last season shaped out. Amen Thompson does not have enough offensive skills in a half court offense to play along Sengun who clogs the paint. The Rockets would also love to give more minutes to Reed Sheppard who is the most overrated player in the NBA as he lacks any defensive ability and his shot is not good enough or consistent enough to make up for it. Rockets can free up all their cap space by getting rid of 37 year old Kevin Durant, and build with a young superstar who fits with Sengun and Reed as the Rockets build their future. The Rockets are not winning the West with this Kevin Durant roster.
The Wizards starting 5 would be.
PG: Trae Young. Green Light to run the half court offense however he wants since Amen has no ego.
SG: Amen Thompson. Elite Defender so the Wizards can hide Trae Young on D, as well as ELITE fast break option who can dominate in the open court.
SF: Kevin Durant. Can score whenever he wants.
PF: Anthony Davis. Can score whenever he wants.
C: Alex Sarr. Can score whenever he wants.
The Wizards would instantly be a team that can score buckets at an amazing rate as well as play amazing defense with so many big bodies in the paint. George & Coulibay playing a heavy majority of the minutes off the bench in the playoffs would be ELITE. In the end you have a Championship quality team, and an Eastern Conference Playoff Series between the Knicks & Wizards where Trae Young can return to his famous villain role.
IF THE WIZARDS DO NOT TRADE #1 PICK I SELECT..
DARRYN PETERSON
Boozer is out of the picture since the Wizards do not need a big forward, and their window to win a Championship is NOW! Dybansta is not Dyanswer because while his raw offensive talent is there, it is still a bit raw, and Peterson is already ready to be among the league leaders in scoring in the NBA. Dybansta is a potential star, but more of a secondary scoring options who can fit in an NBA system and be a good contributing factor. There is a risk Dybansta’s offensive game falls off with the Wizards especially since he will not be a first or second scoring option on a team with Trae Young & Anthony Davis. With not a great three point shot for Dybansta, you could see guys like George & Coulibay feel like they should shoot just as much as him when they all share the court. Peterson is so good he will be a primary scoring option no matter the situation.
Wizards could make the playoffs with Darryn Peterson this upcoming season, probably again the following season if Anthony Davis accepts player option to return, but they could win a Championship with Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson joining the roster NOW!