On draft night, the Washington Wizards found themselves in a delicate position with the 21st overall pick. When the Miami Heat selected Kasparas Jakucionis just one spot earlier, it initially seemed like things might not break in Washington’s favor. But instead of panicking, the Wizards stuck to their strategy—and it now appears they may have dodged a serious misstep.
Washington’s choice, Will Riley, still has a lot of developing to do, but the early signs are positive. At 19, Riley brings size, tools, and a strong mental approach—exactly the kind of foundation a rebuilding team hopes to build around. Just as significant, though, is who they didn’t pick.
While Kasparas Jakucionis still has time to prove himself, his Summer League debut raised some red flags. Even optimistic observers would acknowledge he struggled in Las Vegas. His feel for the game came and went, he made poor decisions under pressure, and he didn’t display the composure that led Miami to draft him in the top 20.
“Jakucionis was very much in the mix if he had fallen to No. 21,” league chatter revealed. That means if Miami had gone another direction, the Wizards may well have taken a flyer on a player who doesn’t seem NBA-ready just yet. That alternate reality could’ve left them with more uncertainty than upside.
Instead, they landed Riley, who showed poise and assertiveness in his Summer League debut. His raw athleticism stood out, and while the adjustment to NBA pace will take time, he’s already flashing the promise that made him such an intriguing prospect.
Nobody is crowning Washington’s draft a total win just yet. But they clearly sidestepped a situation that could have slowed their rebuild. In a league where a single draft mistake can derail long-term progress, Washington’s decision to stay disciplined may prove to be a quietly brilliant move.
