PJ Washington thrived in his sophomore year after improving his jump shot. His sophomore stats improved all around: 15.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG, and 2 TOPG on shooting splits of 52/42/66
Name: PJ Washington
Height/Weight: 6’8/230
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’2/ 8’10 ½
Hand size: 9.75
Position: F
College/ country: Kentucky
Tools: Frame, athleticism
Pros:
- Excellent frame and strength
- Solid defender; versatile defender that can guard the perimeter and really affect closeouts
- Good passer
- High IQ- good defensive fundamentals
- Good finisher at the rim- very tough player that can finish well with contact
- Able to put the ball on the floor and attack
- Very good athlete
- Improved jump shot as a sophomore
- Improved passer against quick pressure
Cons:
- Tweener; Jump shot will tell if he can play in small ball lineups
- Inconsistent jump shot
- Needs to rely less on strength
- Jumps on defense too often
Overall: In his freshman season, PJ Washington’s shooting touch was questionable and held him back from being a surefire first round pick in 2018. As a sophomore, he made a noticeable improvement as a shooter, shown by his improved efficiency in all shooting departments. His biggest question marks going forward are: shooting off the dribble, defensive discipline, and what his NBA role is. If Washington’s passing, shooting, and below-the-rim defense translate to the NBA, he can carve out a successful career that will make him desirable in the top 10. Washington has a unique outlook as a prospect with a high floor with a high ceiling.
NBA Comparison: Floor: Trey Lyles; Median: Otto Porter; Ceiling: Rasheed Wallace
Projected draft range: 8-15
Best fit:
Dallas is unlikely to be able to make a trade to acquire Washington in the draft, so they are eliminated from this section. Although maybe the Dallas native could play for the Mavs in the future, the best draft fits for Washington are all in his projected draft range. I currently mock Washington being selected by The Wizards due to frontcourt need, overall talent need, and a safe swing for the fences for a team desperate to hit a home run. Depending on what roster decisions the Wizards make this summer, the Wizards could start right away. This, of course, depends on what move they make with Bobby Portis, and if they think Portis and Washington could coexist on the court together. PJ Washington may not be as much of a lockdown defender as Otto Porter, but the Wizards could use him similarly as an interchangeable forward as a two-way threat. The positive for both PJ Washington and the Washington Wizards is that PJ Washington is more skilled in putting the ball on the floor than Porter was in 2013 as a draft prospect. Additionally, Washington is a better athlete than Porter. Washington is similar in most of the areas as Porter, but is successful in the areas that Porter struggled with as a prospect.
