NBA Draft 2015: April Mock Draft -- Washington Wizards select Christian Wood

With the 19th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft . . . the Washington Wizards select Christian Wood from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Yes, this is totally a reach, but the Wizards (currently on their way to the second round of the NBA Playoffs) have few needs. And at this stage of the first round need is sometimes more important than best player available. Maybe this is my drafting bias showing up, and yes, Wood is a bubble guy right now, but I think the Wizards could easily pick him here. The 19 year old Soph is a very long, energetic, athlete. He gets up there, runs the floor well, and plays defense. He's like a mix of two previous Wizards draft picks: JaVale McGee and Trevor Booker. The Wizards are fine at point guard, shooting guard, and could use little more talent at small forward; but I think they could stand to get the biggest upgrade to their frontcourt. Nene Hilario and Marcin Gortat are great, but I don't think you want to rest on that and be okay with Kris Humphries and Otto Porter playing big minutes. With the clear free agency departures of Kevin Seraphin and Drew Gooden I think this reach isn't that bad. Especially not for the type of player Wood is and the type of role he would inherit in Washington.