2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full lottery impact on the first round
9. player. 142. . PG. UNC. Coby White
Age: 19
Height, Weight: 6-foot-5, 195 pounds
Slash Line: .423/.352/.800
Season Averages: 16.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.3 3PM
Among the lesser publicized teams that fell down the NBA Draft Lottery, the Washington Wizards dropped three spots to No. 9. It puts them outside of a player like De’Andre Hunter or Jarrett Culver, but they will still find a position of need at this spot.
John Wall remains Washington’s franchise point guard, but after suffering devastating heel injuries on and off the court, he might miss the entire 2019-20 season.
Beyond that, the former No. 1 overall pick’s future is in doubt. Who knows how he will play upon return, as an Achilles rupture sometimes ruins a player’s career. So the new Wizards front office should look towards insurance in case Wall struggles to return.
Coby White is the best point guard available. While his ball handling needs work, the versatility to play on or off the ball should be attractive at the end of the top 10. He steps in as a capable scorer off Bradley Beal and someone to feed the star guard the ball.
White can also play off Tomas Satoransky, whose role spiked with Wall’s absence.
Finding a different face at point guard brings uncertainty to a position of stability in the nation’s capital, nut the Wizards must address it at some point this offseason, especially the draft, which can bring four years of team-controlled insurance aboard.