The Washington Wizards are scheduled to have the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at the Wizards best NBA Draft picks in franchise history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. This includes their time as the Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Washington Bullets, and Washington Wizards. Some honorable mentions include Rick Mahorn, Andray Blatche, Terry Dischinger, Mitch Kupchak, and Kevin Porter.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Washington Wizards History
10. Greg Ballard (4th overall, 1977)
As a rookie, Greg Ballard won a title with Baltimore, and the team again reached the NBA Finals the following year. From 1979-80 until 1984-85, the 6-foot-7 forward had averages of 15.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. Ballard is fifth in team history with 4,094 rebounds.
9. Juwan Howard (5th overall, 1994)
Part of Michigan’s ‘Fab Five’, Juwan Howard played 6+ seasons with Washington. The 6-foot-9 forward was named an All-Star and All-NBA Third Team member in the 1995-96 season. He posted averages of 18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists with the team.
8. Earl Monroe (2nd overall, 1967)
Known as ‘The Pearl’, Earl Monroe finds his way on here despite being traded early into his fifth season. One of the most dynamic backcourt players, he twice was named an All-Star with Baltimore. Monroe made the All-NBA First Team in 1968-69 and averaged over 20 points every full season for the Bullets.
7. Jack Marin (5th overall, 1966)
In the 1971 NBA Playoffs, Jack Marin averaged 20.6 points in 18 playoff games as Baltimore reached the NBA Finals. He was named an All-Star in 1971-72 and averaged 22.3 points in 1970-71. Marin’s 89.4% free-throw accuracy led the league in 1971-72.
6. Jeff Malone (10th overall, 1983)
A great scorer, Jeff Malone spent seven seasons with Washington. In each of his last five seasons with them, he averaged more than 20 points. Twice, Malone was named an All-Star, and his 11,083 points are the third-most in team history.
5. Walt Bellamy (1st overall, 1961)
While he was traded early in his fifth season with the franchise, Walt Bellamy put up some absurd numbers. Named Rookie of the Year in 1961-62, his averages with Chicago/Baltimore are 27.6 points and 16.6 rebounds. He was an All-Star each of his four full seasons with the squad.
4. Gus Johnson (11th overall, 1963)
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, Gus Johnson played nine seasons with Baltimore. His excellent averages while with the team include 17.5 points and 12.9 rebounds. Johnson was named to the All-NBA Second Team four times and All-Defensive First Team twice.
3. Bradley Beal (3rd overall, 2012)
In his 11 seasons with Washington, Bradley Beal proved to be one of the great scorers in team history. His 15,391 points donning a Wizards jersey fell just 160 points behind the franchise leader Elvin Hayes. In back-to-back seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21), Beal averaged more than 30 points per contest.
2. John Wall (1st overall, 2010)
Playing nine seasons with the Wizards, John Wall was named an All-Star for five straight years spanning from 2014 until 2018. For 2014-15 until 2016-17, he averaged double-digit assists on the season. Wall is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (5,282) and steals (976).
1. Wes Unseld (2nd overall, 1968)
Playing all 13 of his NBA seasons with the franchise, Wes Unseld is one of just two players along with Wilt Chamberlain to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. One of the game’s great rebounders, he averaged 14 rebounds per game for his career and had a double-digit average in 12 of 13 seasons. Unseld was named NBA Finals MVP for the franchise’s only championship in 1978.
Photo credit: © Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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