WASHINGTON -– The Washington Wizards traded the rights to Jordan Clarkson, taken 46th overall in the NBA draft Thursay night, to the Los Angeles Lakers for cash considerations.
This was the first draft where the Wizards did not make a selection since the modern system began in 1989.
“We focused in on two,- three players who we thought would be there, but they were gone by the time it was our turn to pick,” said Ernie Grunfeld, president of the Wizards. “We didn’t want to waste it [the pick] and just bring someone in that we didn’t think would fit into what we are trying to do.”
Clarkson, drafted by the Wizards on behalf of the Lakers, is a point guard who y played for the University of Missouri Tigers. He earned Second Team All-Southeastern Conference honors last season.
Grunfeld stressed the organization’s desire to build around a nucleus of players already on the roster. He said the roster spot Clarkson would have occupied remains available for either a free agent acquisition, or an undrafted player who impresses in the NBA summer league.
Grunfeld said the open roster spot would probably go to a veteran free agent.
The Wizards have six players eligible to become unrestricted free agents as well as two restricted free agents. “Our first priority is to get the players that we already have on this team and sign them back up.”
One priority is Andre Miller, a point guard who was traded to the Wizards in February, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. Nowthat the draft is over, Grunfeld said the team can shift its focus to retaining talent.
Ahead of the draft, the Wizards worked out over 50 prospective picks. Nine were selected by other teams, raising the possibility that some of the 40 plus undrafted free agents the Wizards have seen may join the summer league roster for another chance at making the team.