John Wall‘s likely decision to undergo season-ending ankle surgery has created a sense of urgency in Washington to shake up the roster, tweets Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports.
The Wizards have backed off the trade market in recent weeks as they inched closer to playoff contention, sitting four and a half games out of the eighth spot with a 13-23 record. However, the prospect of finishing the season without Wall seems to sink any hope for the postseason.
“They can’t move Wall now. Way too hard,” a rival executive tells Smith. “(Ian) Mahinmi? Why pay to move him either? (Bradley) Beal and (Otto) Porter? Sure, in the right deal. (Markieff) Morris, (Jeff) Green, maybe even flip (Trevor) Ariza again? Those guys are all easily moved. It’s open season on that roster now.”
Another unidentified front office member described Washington’s dire situation by saying, “They’ve got to move on from Beal or Porter now, just to clear up the cap some. Vultures are starting to circle.” (Twitter link)
Without at least one move to clear salary, the Wizards will add luxury tax payments to an extremely disappointing season. Washington projects to be about $5MM above the $123.733MM tax line and is in danger of being in the same spot next year.
Wall is currently third on the team in salary at about $19.17MM, but that number will balloon next season when his four-year, $170MM extension kicks in. His injury, on top of that contract, makes him virtually untradable.
Porter will earn $26MM this year, $27.25MM in 2019/20 and has a nearly $28.5MM player option for the following season that he seems certain to exercise. Porter’s production hasn’t matched his potential since being given a rookie scale extension, and the Wizards might have to attach another asset to get a team to accept his contract.
Beal, who is coming off an All-Star season and posting a career-high 23.8 PPG scoring average, would probably fetch the best return. But the Wizards have to decide whether they want to part with a core piece who is under contract for about $55.8MM over the next two years.
Another possibility is to trade away Ariza, who was acquired from the Suns earlier this month to boost Washington’s playoff chances. Ariza has an expiring $15MM contract, but he cannot be aggregated, meaning traded along with teammates in the same deal, which could limit the Wizards’ options.
Washington is eligible to apply for a Disabled Player Exception if Wall is lost for the year, Smith adds (Twitter link). If approved, the franchise would have $8.641MM to work with that could be used to sign, trade for or claim a player off waivers. The Wizards would have to apply by January 15 and use it by March 10, and any roster addition will count against the tax.
Wall is untradeable, but a theoretical trade with the Suns or Bulls wouldn’t surprise me any less lol.
Otto Porter to Sacramento.
Why does everyone just assume Washington will give up? The same people that are saying Wall is not really that great are now saying that Washington’s season is over since he is out. It’s not going to be easy by any means, but they could still pick up a veteran PG to try and sneak into the playoffs. There are still possibilities out there.
Youre right actually. Didnt the Wiz play better last year when Wall was shelfed?
Satoransky is just the guy they need. And he’s already there! No need to trade.
Watch other players’ stats & play improve with Tomas S.
How about Trey Burke to the Wizards for a 2nd rounder?
Perhaps swapping Markieff Morris to Minnesota for Jerryd Bayless. Bayless is not a star, but he could possibly give 20-25 quality minutes a night at PG.
Bayless is always hurt and awful when he’s not.
That’s fair. He was just the first to come to mind. But my point is that they don’t have to go out and get a superstar in order to compete.
McConnell would be a nice fit on the team
Bayless is now the second string PG with Teague and rose out. Also, they have towns, Gibson , saric and dieng. The twolves would have no r3qson to do the deal
Their season was over before John Wall got hurt
Sixers a logical partner. Beal and/or Ariza if numbers work.
Numbers dont work for the and part. Also the trade for Beal has to involve Chandler, so is Muscala going to play 30+ at the 4? Then you also have Amir on the court too much… Eh. Youd have to do something like Beal + Green who can play the 4 and on a min deal.
What would the sixers trade of value. They have 3 great guys and no other value to deal. They would want cheap upside guys back for Beal along with an expiring contract to match salaries
There is value in their expiring contracts. And they have all of their future picks plus the Miami pick and a bunch of 2s. Wizard may want to pursue different FAs too, Fultz is your upside gamble. The thing is, you’re only going to get guys with potential and a large expiring contract from any other team. Beal is good but almost every team has a player of his caliber. Are the contenders just going to flip their version of Beal for Beal? Its picks and salary filler mostly.
The Lakers have several guys like Hart, Kuzma, and Ingram that they could include in a deal for Beal. I’m not a Laker fan but just using an example of what the Wiz would want. I disagree about Beal being a player every team has too. He’s a really good shooting guard, and a stud.
And I can’t imagine Fultz offers much value at all. He’s just such a mess.
Smith in Dallas is more of a bettet move. Carmelo is a smart move to get a Vet in there as well. Now is not the time to Panic
Beal to pistons for Kennard, Reggie Bullock, 1st round pick
In the “L”east they can still be a six-eight seed without Wall. Beal can shine even brighter if you give him a veteran pass first Pg.
Better move*
i feel like they were great w/o wall last year. they should see how it plays out before blowing it up
They’ll probably play harder and be more team oriented for sure. Wall is such a drag and negative attitude. So entitled.
Wall was probably untradeable before the injury, now there’s zero chance even the Suns would take that awful contract on. Plus he’s got a trade kicker and makes even more if traded. Worst contract in the league.
Is it too late to tank for Zion?
They have the 6th worst record in the league, they’re well on their way
Then that’s what they need to strive for as well as dumping payroll
Kings need to get Porter, he is a perfect fit for them and can take on that massive contract too
Since Grunfeld went there, Washington has never tanked or rebuilt in any classic way even when the cards seemed to indicate that was the play. The opposite, they’ve doubled down. It would not surprise me if they went after a veteran PG, vs parting with another of their big 3 long term contracts.
Yeah but the owner seems fed up. A lot more panic when the owner gets more involved