The Washington Wizards have made exceptional draft selections in recent years. Players like Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson were scouted and projected highly, while others like Kyshawn George and Will Riley could be considered hidden gems of their respective draft classes.
Now, in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Wizards took a player from each of these categories. Washington picked AJ Dybantsa to lead the franchise into the future with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and on day two, traded for an intriguing second-round prospect. According to NBA Insider Brett Siegel, the Wizards traded the 51st and 60th overall picks for Felix Okpara, a defensive-minded big man from the University of Tennessee.
The Washington Wizards Add Intriguing Defensive Big Man In Second Round Of The 2026 NBA Draft
Okpara will be joining Washington after a four-year college career with Tennessee and Ohio State. Over the course of his 143 games at the college level, the 22-year-old averaged 6.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
Okpara is coming off a career season with Tennessee, earning him a selection to the Southeastern Conference’s All-Defensive team. His defensive game vastly overshadows his skills on the other end of the floor, but he could provide Washington with great rim protection if ever called upon. He certainly needs to grow his game, but he could certainly become a great piece for the young Wizards.
Locking Down The Paint
The big man joins a talented defensive core headlined by Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis. It seems Washington is attempting to create an extremely flexible frontcourt. Sarr and Davis provide elite offensive, while backup Tristan Vukcevic provides supplemental scoring, with Okpara being a paint lockdown.
This is, of course, barring the Wizards put him down in the G-League on a two-way deal. Obviously, this is the more likely outcome. Washington is on the brink of contention, and every roster spot needs to be filled by a player who can contribute at high levels on both ends. However, the Wizards heavily relied upon their G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, this past season.
Potential Call-Up
When injuries arose last season, multiple G-Leaguers were called up to help fill out the roster. Players like Leaky Black and Skal Labisseire played several games for D.C, while Jamir Watkins earned a promotion to a standard contract by the end of the season.
With the Wizards having a serious injury problem last season, the callups kept Washington out of the free agent pool while allowing players to get a chance to prove they belong in the NBA. If injuries arise, Okpara could be a needed asset. Sarr will be recovering from surgery, while Davis has been plagued by injuries for the past several years.
The G-League will be a perfect opportunity for Okpara to grow as a player, letting him work on his offensive game while maximizing his defensive capabilities. In turn, he won’t have to sit on the bench, but still has an opportunity to earn a call-up either due to injuries or his play. It’s perfect for a player who’s not fully ready to contribute at an NBA level.
Why This Pick Matters…
The second round has become increasingly more important over the last few seasons. While these players are typically in need of development, the league has seen outstanding prospects in the last few seasons. NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, and several other contributors in recent seasons have been selected in the mid-to-late second round of their respective classes.
While it’s a little hard to predict, these players come in with a chip on their shoulder. Okpara may not turn out to be an All-NBA caliber player, but he could become a solid piece for the rising Wizards unit in the future.
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