Capitals, Wizards hold same draft pick for first time in 21 years
Caps, Wizards hold same draft pick for first time in 21 years originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Summertime is draft season for the NBA and the NHL.
This year, both the Washington Capitals and Wizards have a top-10 selection, which should make for some exciting prospects making their way to D.C.
But 2023 is a different summer for both squads for one reason: both teams hold the No. 8 pick in their respective drafts. That’s the first time both Washington squads have held the same pick since 2002, when they both drafted 17th overall among other selections.
The Capitals actually held three first-round picks back in 2002, when they were still draped in blue and bronze threads. They snagged Steve Eminger at 12, Alex Semin (who went on to score almost 200 goals in Washington) with the very next pick, and finally took forward Boyd Gordon at 17.
Gordon was a serviceable piece in the Caps’ organization for several years, starting with his Calder Cup championship with the Hershey Bears in 2006. All told, he spent the first seven years of his 15-year hockey career in D.C., putting up 85 total points in multiple playoff pushes.
Four days after the Capitals read Gordon’s name at the podium, it was the Wizards' turn to try to inject some youth into an aging squad led by Michael Jordan during his final season. They held the 11th overall pick and used it on Jared Jeffries, who enjoyed four positive years in Washington before retiring to a life of competitive fishing and an appearance on The Price is Right.
Just minutes after taking Jeffries, the Wizards decided to bolster their guard depth and take local prospect Juan Dixon out of Baltimore and the University of Maryland at 17th overall – the same pick the Capitals used on Gordon. Dixon played four of his 10 NBA years with the Wizards, helping them to multiple playoff appearances while averaging 7.5 points per game.
There is a plethora of talent in both the NBA and NHL draft classes this year. The Wizards and Capitals both have an opportunity to add talent when they’re on the clock at No. 8. The NBA Draft is on June 22 this year, followed six days later by the NHL Entry Draft.
