SNIDER: Wizards take opening night of 2024 NBA Draft

It’s not often the Washington Wizards make the NBA notice them. But, the first round of the draft saw the Wiz selecting three needed players, restocking draft capital and swapping a young guard for an old one.

It won’t be the draft that wins Washington a championship, but it’s the first step back to respectability.

Taking Alex Sarr with the second overall selection in a year when crosstown Commanders and Nationals also drafted second was a no-brainer. A near 7-foot center who actually plays defense, lives around the rim and could be an impact player is something they’ve needed since Marcin Gortat left in 2018.

Immediately, the Wiz traded Deni Avdija to Portland for a king’s ransom. Really, Washington fleeced Portland, giving up a decent player with a low contract for the 14th overall pick, a 2029 first-rounder, second-rounders in 2028 and 2030 plus veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon. A former Virginia Cavalier, Brogdon has one year left on his deal and the 31-year-old still produces.

Washington used Portland’s pick for Carlton “Bub” Carrington, a standout Pitt guard who scored more than 1,000 points as a freshman. Carrington is a good passer and decent penetrator. Maybe not destined for the hall of fame, but still a plus.

Finally, Washington traded again, spending a second-rounder to move up two spots to swap with the New York Knicks. Washington sent the No. 26 pick to New York for the No. 24 selection and grabbed Kyshawn George . The Wiz gained another outside shooter with whispers over his defensive intensity and suspect ballhandling. So, he’s a work in progress.

Bottom line – Washington got much better in the first round. It was hard not to, but the Avdija trade put them over the top. Washington has really stunk for two years so even a .500 team would be a major improvement. (Sounds like the Commanders and Nats, too.) The Wiz gained three contributors and more draft capital in coming years, too.

Win, win, win.

Will it translate on the court? The NBA is a veterans league. Few rookies seem to have an impact anymore. None of Washington’s rookies will be an impact player. But, they can make a difference. That may be enough to entice a free agent to join then.

Meanwhile, Washington has a respected general manager and a coach that did well enough last season as the interim boss to stay. Overall, Washington has a makeover that could finally break from the perennial malaise over 40 years long.

And, that’s long enough.