The 2025 NBA draft is regarded as one of the most loaded in recent memory. Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, and Ace Bailey are just a few of the names in this year’s class. The Wizards will hold two first-round picks, pick number 18 and the one that will be decided on lottery night. However, they hold one more in the second round. The Wizards’ 40th pick in the NBA draft was acquired from the Suns. Some may not see this as pivotal, but taking a closer look may show the true value in the 40th selection.
Wizards’ 2nd Round Pick Holds Real Value
Recent 2nd Round Picks
The Wizards have outstanding eyes for second-round talent. While the 40th pick is not considered to be franchise-altering, the Wizards have had solid selections in the second round in recent drafts. With the team having five active players being drafted in the second round, could this year make number six?
Tomáš Satoransky (32) and Jordan Clarkson (46) both were taken in the second round of their respective drafts. While Satoransky wasn’t an amazing talent in the NBA, Clarkson has won Sixth Man of the Year (2020-21) and has been a great addition to every team he’s played for. Most recently, Trayce Jackson-Davis (42) and Tristan Vukcevic (57) are both solid contributors on their respective teams. Davis averaged a solid 15.6 minutes a game in the regular season for the title-hopeful Warriors, and Vukcevic showcased his talent down the stretch this season.
These picks ended up being solid additions to the league. Satoransky spent seven seasons in the NBA with a total of 388 games played. Clarkson hasn’t had a season averaging under 14 points since his rookie campaign and has shot a career average of 43.6% from the field. Vukcevic averaged 18.6 points on 54.2% from the field in the last five games of the season. Davis has had an up-and-down start to his career, but has contributed to a playoff contender.
These picks were all solid for both the Wizards and the teams that traded for them. However, what’s more interesting is when you combine the Wizards’ keen sense for second-round talent with some of the notable names that have been selected at 40.
Current Projection
With the 40th pick, most mock drafts vary in deep selections. NBA.com‘s most recent mock draft has the Wizards taking Milos Uzan from Houston. Uzan was a solid contributor to this year’s runner-up in March Madness.
Uzan played two seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to Houston last year. He averaged 22.4 points on 45.3% shooting from the field and an impressive 42.8% from three. He scored 22 points against four-seeded Purdue in Houston’s Sweet 16 game. If the Wizards retain the 40th pick and select Uzan, he’ll be an interesting fit.
The Wizards already have some depth at guard, with Jordan Poole, Bub Carrington, AJ Johnson, Colby Jones, Marcus Smart, and the return of injured Malcolm Brogdon.
Notable Players at 40th Pick
Some of these names may surprise you when you think back to when they were in the league.
The 2005 NBA draft had some extremely notable names. Andrew Bogut, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul were all selected in the top 5 of that class. However, the Warriors had the 40th pick, and a small-ball guard named Monta Ellis was selected. The 2006-07 Most Improved Player was certainly a name to watch in the late 2000s and throughout the 2010s. He played 12 seasons in the NBA and only had two seasons averaging less than 30 minutes on the floor. Ellis shot 45.1% from the field during his career, averaging 17.8 points a game. He was part of the “We Believe” Warriors and was one of the faces of Paul George‘s Pacers in the middle of the 2010s.
The 2010 NBA draft saw names like John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Paul George enter the league. The 40th pick that season was as one of the most entertaining NBA players ever in Lance Stephenson. Stephenson was another big name for the Pacers in the mid-2010s, and while he wasn’t the impact player that Ellis was, he made his presence known. He had a decade-long run in the league, shooting 44.5% from the field in 554 career games.
The 40th pick has seen some other notable names like Will Barton, Glenn Robinson III, Dwayne Bacon, and, most recently, Jared Butler. While these guys didn’t have the same impact as Ellis or Stephenson, they played or are playing good roles on their teams.
The Last Word
Uzan could be added to the decent list of 40th-picked players who made a real name for themselves. Regardless of the Wizards’ draft selection, they’ve proven they can select good talent out of the later-round pool. If they choose to hold on to the pick, history seems to favor the 40th selection in the draft. Whoever it may be, they will have their work cut out for them. However, playing for a rebuilding franchise with all this talent should be a dream come true.
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