Wizards draft Georgetown’s Porter. At least we got that right

WASHINGTON D.C. — In the most unpredictable of NBA Drafts, the Washington Wizards went with a player everyone assumed they were taking all along.

The long-rumored marriage between the John Wall-Bradley Beal fueled Wizards and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter Jr. became official when NBA commissioner David Stern announced the third overall pick. Seemingly every other move before and after on Thursday night elicited wows and whuh huhs, including Cleveland ruining mock drafts by tabbing UNLV’s Anthony Bennett with the first selection..

After Orlando took Indiana guard Victor Oladipo, the Wizards could finally exhale.

“I was worried,” coach Randy Wittman said. “I told the kid when he came here [to workout], ‘Don’t go visit anyplace else.’ You never know. You feel somebody’s going to grab him, and it could have happened. I don’t think anybody really had a great idea the order that it went, with Bennett and Oladipo going 1 and 2.”

Porter at 3 was another story. With the Wizards looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008 and find a 3-man for the long haul, selecting the unanimous Big East Player of the Year had a feel of formality for weeks.

“We had our board in order, and when it was our time to pick, he was the highest rated guy on our board,” Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said. “We’re pleased to have him.”

Porter, who played his college home games on the Wizards’ court, certainly sounds satisfied with the outcome.

“We’re going to do damage next year,” said the 6-foot-8 forward, who left Georgetown after his sophomore season. “I already know what they bring to the table. All I do is plug myself in there, and it’s going to be fun.”

Last season Porter led the Hoyas in scoring (16.2), rebounds (7.5), steals (1.8) and 3-point shooting (42.2). Where the “safe” prospect with strong basketball instincts should help immediately is stopping others from producing points.

“He has the total package,” Grunfeld said. “He has good work ethic. He’s a team player. He can do multiple things out on the floor. He can guard several positions, and he’s a young player who we think could be with us for many, many years to come. And he fits in well with what we’re trying to do as far as Bradley and John are concerned.”

Beal and Wall, Washington’s starting backcourt and the keys to the franchise’s rebuilding plan, helped fuel the team’s 25-25 record over the final 50 games after a 4-28 start.

“I think we have three important positions filled,” Grunfeld said. “Otto has great size for his position at small forward, but he can play some power forward if he has to. If you want to go small, he can guard 2 guards, so he provides a lot of versatility. Otto is 20 years old. Bradley’s going to be 20 (Friday) as a matter of fact, and John is 22. So we have three very solid players we can build with moving forward.”

Porter’s ability to shine without having plays called for him will enhance the guard’s development.

What his presence does to Washington’s frontcourt is more complicated.

Trevor Ariza opted into his contract for the upcoming year, meaning the defensive half of last season’s small forward combo returns. Martell Webster, who averaged a career-high 11.8 points last season, is a free agent. Though Grunfeld said the addition of Porter has no impact on Webster, the depth chart appears to say otherwise.

Per a source, Washington also acquired Glen Rice Jr. in the second round. The Wizards shipped picks 38 and 54 to the 76ers, who selected the former Georgia Tech and D-League swingman with the 35th overall pick. Trevor Booker, Chris Singleton and Jan Vesely also spent time at small forward last season.

The roster fallout, that’s a discussion for later. For now, it’s all about positives.

“From where we’re at and where we think we can be going into next year, it’s a great piece to add to this team,” Wittman said.

Speaking of positives, not having to pack classifies as such.

“Not moving anywhere, and I’m already used to a city, it definitely helps me transition to the NBA,” he said. “Just being comfortable with the city already, it’s just a true blessing.”