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NBA Draft Lottery: Where do Chicago Bulls rank in terms of needing Zion?

By Luke Askew

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during a press conference after being awarded the AP Player of the Year award prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during a press conference after being awarded the AP Player of the Year award prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

2. Washington Wizards

Lottery odds: 9.0% 

The Wizards are a slightly counterintuitive pick, but they need Zion for similar reasons that Charlotte does. The biggest difference between the Hornets and the Wizards? The Wizards are already overpaying their point guard.

John Wall is set to make $170 million over the next four seasons (if he opts into his player option for the 2022-23 season). That’s ridiculous. Keep in mind that this is a guy who’s struggled with injuries, relies on speed and athleticism and has a questionable jumper.

The Wizards are in a horrible situation. If they aren’t careful, they’ll end up wasting Bradley Beal’s prime. That’s why they need a transcendent player on a rookie contract.

Zion doesn’t fit perfectly with a guy like John Wall, but he fits pretty well with Bradley Beal, and a star-studded duo is sometimes all you need to find some success.

Will a Beal-Williamson duo ever lead to an NBA Championship? It’s impossible to say. It’ll all depend on if Zion takes his game to a Hall of Fame level at some point.

If the Wizards don’t catch a lucky break, they’ll find themselves paying a 32-year-old John Wall over $46 million in the 2022-2023 season while headlining a list of non-playoff teams.

Yikes.

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