The Washington Wizards are in desperate need of a point guard. Except this summer doesn’t present much as options through free agency to fill the Wizards’ most glaring hole. Thus a trade or the draft seems like Washington’s best chance at acquiring a primary ball handler.
Washington currently holds the 10th overall pick in next week’s NBA draft. They could go in an array of directions with the pick. One of them appears to be packaging the draft pick with other assets to move up in the draft.
According to Wizards insider Quinton Mayo, Washington is “really high” on 6-foot-4 Purdue guard Jaden Ivy. Only issue, Ivey is projected to be selected fourth overall in the draft. The Wizards have spent a significant amount of time discussing trade packages to move up to the No. 4 pick from the Sacramento Kings.
Jaden Ivey averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season. He shot 46.0% from the field, including 35.8% from three.
If the Wizards want Ivey, they’ll have to pony up a serious package. They’ll have a great deal of competition vying for him. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks have their eyes on trading up to the No. 4 pick for Ivey in addition to the Wizards.
The Pistons currently select fifth; the Pacers sixth; and the Knicks have the 11th pick.
It’s apparent the Kings are willing to move out of the No. 4 pick. But with so many suitors, Washington will have to dig through their bag of assets to part with to secure the draft pick, if they’re truly interested in Ivey.
