Washington Wizards, holding the No. 6 pick in the June 2025 NBA Draft, eye Tre Johnson for scoring or a falling Ace Bailey. Will they follow an OKC model?
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
Thursday, June 5th, brought a fresh wave of NBA Draft speculation for Washington Wizards fans, and the chatter is heating up! Holding the crucial No. 6 overall pick, the Wizards are in a prime position to add significant talent, and several intriguing names are swirling. Could Texas guard Tre Johnson be the offensive spark the team desperately needs after a tough 2024-25 season?
After finishing last in offensive rating in 2024-25, adding a 'clutch shot-maker' who averaged 19.9 PPG like Tre Johnson could be a game-changer for Washington.
The Wizards' offensive struggles last season were well-documented, culminating in the league's lowest offensive rating. Enter Tre Johnson. The Texas guard, known for his scoring prowess and ability to hit big shots, is reportedly high on Washington's draft board. Averaging nearly 20 points per game, Johnson could provide an immediate boost and much-needed stability at the point guard position, or at least a dynamic scoring presence in the backcourt. His ability to create his own shot and perform in the clutch are attributes the Wizards have been sorely missing.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the draft discourse, Abdullah & Leif's 'Which Next Wizards Star Could FALL in the NBA Draft?' podcast, which dropped at 12:02 AM CDT, explored a tantalizing possibility: could Ace Bailey, a prospect once considered a potential top-3 pick, slide down to the Wizards at No. 6? While it might seem like a long shot, draft night is notoriously unpredictable. If a talent like Bailey becomes available, it would present a fascinating dilemma and a potentially huge upside for the Wizards' front office.
Speaking of the front office, there's a growing belief that Will Dawkins, a key figure in Washington's decision-making process, might look to his Oklahoma City Thunder roots for inspiration. Analysts are drawing parallels to OKC's selection of Josh Giddey at No. 6 in 2021. The thinking is the Wizards could target a similar archetype in BYU's Egor Demin. Demin, known for his playmaking and size, could be the connective tissue for Washington's burgeoning young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George, much like Giddey was for the Thunder.
With the draft rapidly approaching, the speculation will only intensify. Will the Wizards go for a proven scorer, a high-upside playmaker, or will a top talent unexpectedly fall into their laps? One thing's for sure: pick No. 6 holds immense potential to shape the future of this franchise. Stay tuned, Wizards fans, it's going to be an exciting few weeks!
