Melo Trimble performed decently well during the Washington Wizards' first pre-draft workout session on Tuesday morning. The Wizards currently hold the No. 52 overall draft pick in a theoretically deep and talented 2017 NBA Draft. Last year, Scott Brooks did not have any draft picks and his staff was not able to appropriately gauge the talent of prospects the way he is able to this time around, which should bring optimism to fans about Washington’s chances of finding a diamond in the rough.
Trimble passed on his Senior year at the University of Maryland to fully declare for the NBA Draft early and although the workout invite was partially a favor to the local area school, the Wizards did enjoy some of what he has to bring to the table.
“Competitiveness, winning, came from a winning program, and just another player that can help the team, Trimble described about his potential contribution. “Obviously, John Wall is a great point guard so I’ll be able to learn from him.”
Wall and Trimble both share a love for the Dallas Cowboys, but are also both strong in pick and roll and getting to the rim relative to their shooting. The biggest question for Trimble is if his non-NBA physique can allow his driving ability from college to translate to the NBA with bigger and stronger defenders.
“You could tell he has been working hard on his game. … He’s definitely one of the best drivers,” Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. said about his former Big Ten rival Melo Trimble.
Trimble emphasized how the Wizards workout was more physically demanding relative to his previous workouts, which is an underrated positive sign for how the organization is being run. Unlike in college where the players were allowed to frequently hydrate, Trimble explained how there was only one water break during the one-hour workout session with the Wizards. Things were also quite physical.
“They made it tough on us,” Trimble described. “It’s basketball. I expect physical play. It was like that in college but I know the NBA level is a different game, grown men.”
“This is the toughest one,” Trimble compared the Wizards workout session to his earlier two with the Nets and Bulls. “A lot of conditioning.”
Trimble currently plans to work out for the 76ers and Rockets on June 4th and 5th, respectively, but other teams could reach out in the future as well.
One of Trimble’s biggest flaws is his inconsistent and poor shooting from beyond the arc. Beyond the shortened, relative to the NBA, college three-point line, Trimble shot an abysmal 31.7 percent. He has told me in the past off the record, he wishes he declared for the NBA draft following his freshman year when he shot an eye-grabbing 41.2 percent.
Trimble hopes that the work he has put in over the past two months since losing in the NCAA tournament to Xavier will help quiet the concerns of NBA front offices. The 6-3 (he is actually closer to 6-1) point guard worked out with the likes of Jawun Evans, Tyler Dorsey, L.J. Peak, and Rodney Purvis during the month of April in Las Vegas.
“Everything, especially my shooting,” Trimble responded to when asked what he has worked on most. “From the NBA three-point range, it’s a lot deeper. Out in Vegas, I get up a lot of shots and just going up against guys that are taller than me. And just trying to get myself in good shape and work on my body.”
The Upper Marlboro native has been around the DMV all his life from playing at Bishop O’Connell High School in Virginia to spending the last three years in College Park. As a result, he has been keeping tabs on the Wizards since child hood and would enjoy an opportunity to play at home unlike a certain Montrose Christian alum (*ducks*).
“I used to come to the games a lot,” Trimble recollected. “I’ve paid attention to them ever since I was young. Even when I was watching Maryland, I was watching the Wizards. I’ve always been a Wizards fan and always watched them and supported them. … I would love to play for the local team to represent where I am from.”
Trimble met with both general manager Ernie Grunfeld and head coach Scott Brooks shortly after he wrapped up the workout session that was mostly run by assistant coach David Atkins.
He then had a longer follow up meeting with Grunfeld after speaking with the media. The interest can best be described as lukewarm at the moment, but the biggest reason why Trimble could end up in DC is his filling a position of need with the backup point guard position.