If a franchise is fortunate, a year of futility can be a good thing.

The Washington Wizards, who held a 10.3% chance of landing the top pick in June’s draft, won the NBA Draft Lottery tonight.  This will mark the second time that Washington has landed the pick. 

And we all know what happened the first time.  That’s right – we were introduced to the abysmal Kwame Brown…courtesy of the greatest player in the history of the NBA.  How ironic.

But this year’s projected #1 selection appears to be a little more of a sure thing.  Kentucky guard John Wall – a multiskilled athlete with great floor presence - will join the recent influx of talented playmakers in the NBA.

John Wall would make scoring a little easier for Andray Blatche.

The 2009-10 season proved to be a real test for the team from the nation’s capital.  The Wizards entered the campaign amid lots of excitement as this year figured to be the first in some time that Washington would field a fully healthy team out on the court.  But the team didn’t play up to level that was anticipated, and injuries began to slowly take pieces away from the puzzle.

The biggest headline came late in 2009, when Washington’s star player, Glibert Arenas, got into an altercation with guard Jarvis Crittenton involving guns.  Gilbert was suspended for the remainder of the year, served some time, and the Wizards went into free-fall mode.

Their disastrous season has them poised the pick the most talented player in the draft.  They still have the dangerous (in more ways than one) Arenas on their roster.  Josh Howard, who saw little action due to an injury immediately after the Wiz acquired him, has great length, athleticism and versatility.  With some impressive scoring and board work late in the season, Andray Blatche proved that he will not be the next Kwame Brown.

So, there’s a lot for D.C. to look forward to – starting with a can’t miss selection that even Washington won’t screw up.

Well…maybe…