8P9S NBA Mock Draft 1.0: With the 26th pick, the Indiana Pacers select…
By Ben Gibson
No. 27 — Brooklyn Nets (via Denver Nuggets): P.J. Washington, PF
School: Kentucky | Class: Sophomore | Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 230 | Age: 20
Brooklyn has a problem at the power forward slot. They’ve tried a slew of veterans such as Rondae Hollis Jefferson and Jared Dudley there, along with young guys like Rodions Kurucs.
They still lack a long-term option there, and though some would argue PJ Washington’s best slot is as a wing, he works well as an undersized four as well. Washington has been on fire in SEC play, dominating his competition. Washington flashes great touch in the post, with the ability to finish through and around defenders.
He is athletic, has good basketball IQ and looks increasingly comfortable shooting the ball from the outside (46.7% from three on 2.8 attempts in conference play). He’s not super quick laterally which may limit his ability on the wing. Washington’s motor runs hot and cold.
When it runs hot, he can be a devastating force on the defensive end, using his athleticism and IQ to blow up plays and disrupt the entire flow of an offense.
Hopefully, Brooklyn can help Washington’s motor stay hot at all — Ben Pfeifer