If the front office wants to make a move for an extra first-round pick, PJ Washington is a perfect prospect to add into this turning-the-corner rebuild.
With just a week until the NBA Draft, I’ve evaluated a ton of prospects, and a name I keep coming back to is Kentucky’s PJ Washington. Although it’s currently another Kentucky Wildcat stuffing the headlines (Anthony Davis), Washington could make headlines of his own with his gritty play, high basketball IQ, and sneaky three-point ability. Whether it’s Chicago or another squad, he seems like a perfect draft pick for teams seeking an awesome, role-playing forward.
Throughout his sophomore season as a Wildcat, Washington averaged 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, shooting a respectable 52.2% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range. Further, Washington posted 119.5 offensive and 93.9 defensive ratings, presenting offensive versatility but showcasing his emphatic presence on the defensive end.
In terms of frame, Washington might not be the marquee NBA power forward. He’s 6-8, 228 lbs but has an impressive 7’2.5″ wingspan. When you have a guy who works hard for rebounds and plays tough defence, size matters a lot less.
PJ Washington is going to be an interesting case study on offense. As dictated by the modern NBA, a team’s ideal big man can get to the free throw line and make some threes, but should essentially not shoot midrange jump shots. Last season at Kentucky, Washington got to the free throw line with consistency at 5.1 attempts per contest, shooting 66.3%, which is average, but not spectacular. Additionally, while only 21.4% of his shots came from three last season, he shoots well from that range an NBA offense may give him opportunities Kentucky never could.
When analyzing any prospect, it’s important to think about what they did in the biggest games, spots where Washington thrived as a Wildcat. During his run in the NCAA Tournament with Kentucky, he sprained his foot in the first game of the contest, but returned for the Sweet 16, scoring 16 against Houston in a win. Then, we posted 28 points and 13 rebounds in the team’s overtime loss in the Elite 8 to Auburn.
In terms of a basketball fit in Chicago, Washington is almost a home run
Jim Boylen likes players who work hard and give it all for their team; every coach does, but Boylen more so than others seems to ask his players to buy into his hard work and hustle philosophy. While it’s unknown whether or not Washington has ever been vetted for a role on a leadership committee, the 20-year-old Texan is a hard-nosed guy who could give the Bulls a greater defensive identity.
Alongside Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., Washington would give the Bulls arguably the most versatile group of bigs in the NBA next season. If he fits in the Bulls offense the right way, having all three could be a perfect storm of bigmen.
Putting him on the floor with Markkanen at center gives Washington a chance to absorb a more athletic defender, where Markkanen can then burn a slow-footed center out the three-point line. Matching Washington with Carter gives the Bulls a fortress of interior defense. Putting the three on the court together makes the Bulls a match-up nightmare on both ends.
In any NBA fit, I love the idea of Washington being a glue guy for a team. Maybe he’ll never be a starter, but I strongly believe he’s valuable a first-or-second player off the bench, playing good defense and making the shots he’s supposed to make (a novel concept, I know). Having a young guy on this team to play more the “glue” role could prove valuable to a team seeking greater identity.
Maybe it’s the addition of the Houston Rockets‘ former defensive guru, Roy Rogers, to the coaching staff, but I like the idea of having an awesome bench defender. Over the past few seasons, Houston made PJ Tucker’s value skyrocket and I believe Washington could be an even better defender than the fellow PJ; plus he’s a better shot-maker.
Certainly, in order to acquire Washington, the Bulls need to make a move to find an extra first-round selection, something closer to the 15-25 range, in order to give themselves a shot at the forward. With a potential for a lot of turbulence around the league on draft night, there’s bound to be opportunities for the Bulls to move into this range.
Packaging the #38 pick and Kris Dunn might be a good way to “upgrade” your second round pick into a better player, but hey, Jerry Reisendorf doesn’t have me under contract. Washington is better than whatever’s going to be there at #38 and could very well be worth the gamble, maybe even a perfect fit in Chicago.