Cameron Christie and Matas Buzelis have worked out in Washington, according to reports. Also, there were pictures of someone looking a lot like Alex Sarr at Dulles Airport in Loudoun County last week.
The 2024 NBA Draft isn’t until June 26. Teams are holding draft workouts. Over the past 10 years that I have been a contributor, editor and eventually site manager here, the Washington Wizards have generally been open about which players were coming in for workouts, a day before they arrived. These came in the form of regular press releases.
I haven’t seen these kinds of announcements over the last couple seasons since Will Dawkins became the new General Manager. That doesn’t meant that he and head coach Brian Keefe are just watching TikTok dances all day long, relaxing at the MedStar Health Performance Center and then walking across the hall to catch Mystics games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Again, the Wizards are holding draft prospect workouts. It’s just that the Wizards never publicized these kinds of things in the Dawkins (and Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger) Era.
Our own Greg Finberg posted on X yesterday many of the prospects who worked out with the Wizards. He even added another couple later.
Updated list of Wizards pre-draft workouts:
No. 2:
• Alex Sarr (NBL)
• Donovan Clingan (UConn)
• Cody Williams (Colorado)No. 26:
• Tyler Smith (Ignite)
• Trentyn Flowers (NBL)No. 51:
• Tristen Newton (UConn)
• Antonio Reeves (Kentucky)UDFA:
• Kenan Blackshear…— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 15, 2024
So, the biggest fish on this list is none other than former Perth Wildcats center Alex Sarr. It makes sense that the Wizards would hold a workout with him since they have the No. 2 pick, and it looks increasingly likely that he’s their man. But sometimes, Wizards fans who are also picking up friends or loved ones at Dulles Airport in Loudoun County can get a celebrity sighting along the way. This happened last Tuesday, when I was wrapping up end-of-school year things at my day job.
Future Wizards legend Alex Sarr just touched down in Dulles @WashWizards pic.twitter.com/FhZCMHBeBB
— Nick_k.88⚡️ (@KondeNickodemus) June 11, 2024
Alex Sarr recently wrapped up a visit with the Wizards in D.C., which included a private workout.
Sarr’s floor is viewed as the No. 2 overall pick with Washington. pic.twitter.com/yp89REukmD
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 13, 2024
In addition to Sarr and Greg’s summary X post, there are two more prospects whom the Wizards worked out.
Yesterday, forward Matas Buzelis, a former five-star prospect from Chicago worked out with the Wizards at Capital One Arena per his Instagram stories. Our own Greg Finberg has the image below.
The Washington Wizards completed a pre-draft workout with F Matas Buzelis, per his IG.
The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 14.1 points and 6.6 rebounds for G League Ignite this season and is expected to go inside the top-10 of the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/qWJHTcQw4N
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 16, 2024
Buzelis is projected to be a Top 5 pick in the draft. If the Wizards took him at No. 2, it could be perceived to be a reach, but you never know if the Wizards decide to trade down with another team looking to get a higher pick.
Greg also posted on X that former Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Cameron Christie practiced with the Wizards.
The Washington Wizards completed a pre-draft workout with Minnesota guard Cameron Christie, per source.
The 6’6” shooting guard shot 39.1% 3pt and offers two-way potential as a solid perimeter defender.
He’s projected to go late-first, early-second round. Wiz hold pick No. 26. pic.twitter.com/Grn8T3lgj3
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 15, 2024
Since the Wizards have a late first round pick at No. 26, it’s possible that Christie could be selected here, though mock drafts also have him drafted early in the second round.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.