After making a pair of trades last night, the Wizards figure to be quiet today, according to Ben Standig of NBC Sports.
Bradley Beal, the subject of trade rumors for much of the year, will remain on the roster, along with upcoming free agents Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green, who are both in the team’s plans beyond this season, a source tells Standig.
Washington dipped below the luxury tax line Wednesday by sending Otto Porter to the Bulls in exchange for Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker and shipping Markieff Morris and a 2023 second-round pick to the Pelicans for Wesley Johnson. Porter’s contract, which pays him $55MM over the next two seasons, left the Wizards with little financial flexibility.
Ariza, who was acquired from the Suns in December, is “enthusiastic” about re-signing with Washington, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). He’s averaging career highs in points (15.2) and assists (4.2) since coming back to the Wizards. Green, who is playing for the veterans minimum, is averaging 12.5 PPG while shooting 36.5% from 3-point range.
Washington now has just four players with contracts that extend beyond this season — Beal, John Wall, Ian Mahinmi and rookie Troy Brown. Portis, Tomas Satoransky, Thomas Bryant and Sam Dekker will all be restricted free agents.
Watching ariza and green, it’s clear why they’ve both had long careers in the NBA. I’d like to keep both of them.
Green was like a survivor in Cleveland’s embattled year. I think he learned some things there, getting to the finals. All his efficiencies are up in his 30s.
Setting up an old timers game in the near future? What are they going to give Ariza and Green 3 or 4 yr deals??
I love having jeff and ariza, cool to see they may keep them