There’s a chance that the Wizards could emerge as an under-the-radar buyer at this season’s trade deadline, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said today on The Lowe Post podcast with Zach Lowe.
Although the Wizards’ record is just 17-31, they’re only 3.5 games removed from the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The 21-27 Nets and 21-28 Magic aren’t exactly running away with the final two playoff spots, and only one team (the 19-33 Bulls) currently sits between Washington and those seventh and eighth seeds.
Besides the fact that the Wizards can still talk themselves into a playoff chase, they also may be tempted to make a move for Bradley Beal‘s sake. As Windhorst notes, Beal has expressed some frustration lately, first with the Wizards’ “culture” and then with an All-Star snub that could be attributed in large part to Washington’s losing record.
Although Beal signed an extension with the Wizards last offseason, that wasn’t a long-term deal. He can still reach free agency in 2022, and could make things difficult for the franchise before then if he expresses discontent with his situation. It’s safe to assume Beal would rather push for the postseason than see the front office sell off productive veterans like Davis Bertans and bottom out.
Even if the Wizards do look for an upgrade at the deadline, they seem unlikely to do anything drastic, such as giving up a first-round pick. Windhorst points to Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson, who is reportedly on the trade block, as one possible target for the team. If Cleveland is willing to let Thompson go for Ian Mahinmi‘s expiring contract and a second-round pick, perhaps the Wizards would be motivated to make a move, but the Cavs will probably be aiming higher for their longest-tenured player.
Thompson isn’t much better than Thomas Bryant, if at all, and Bryant is way cheaper and needs minutes to improve. That makes no sense.
Mahnimi and Bertans for Barnes and a seconder
Wizards get a second kinda star to help Bradley Beal plus a pick for two expiring contracts.
Kings get a nice player in Bertans who is worth keeping as he can defend and is a good shooter. Mahnimi is a good expiring contract to take and getting rid of Barnes regretful deal is a win also
Barnes isn’t a “kinda star”. He is borderline awful. Who would want him with all those years left on his contract?
How is he board line awful?
He’s an NBA Champ, his career averages are 14/5 and he shoots 45/37/80 and defends at a good level plus he can play SF or PF
Based on advanced stats he has been a slightly below average contributor on both ends for his career. He is a extremely overpaid for what he brings to the table. Barnes enjoyed the luxury of being the go to guy on bad teams which inflate his box score. He is not a “kinda star”, he is kinda league average and being paid borderline max dollars. The Kings will be hard pressed to move that albatross
Barnes is overpaid but so is Mahinmi. The overpay part cancels out in a matching trade.
However, the Wiz have needed expirings like Mahinmi more than another Porter.
Considering the max is about 40 mil and he gets 24 he’s paid better than average and I think he’s a better than average player.
Can’t say advanced stats show without actually providing stats I kinda defeats the purpose of whatever you were going to say..
I mean for a SF that has played most of his career as a third option he always gives you atleast 14+ and 5 rebounds. He plays solid defence from 2-4 and as a shooter his career averages are both above average so …
Wizards don’t need a super star nor could they afford one, they don’t need an old washed up guy with a bad deal cause they already have bad deals. What they need is some solid reliable two way players which is exactly what Barnes is. If he needs to step up and take 15 shots he can do that and be affective, if he needs to guard the opposing teams best player then he does it. He doesn’t complain or bring issues to the locker room, he has solid playoff experience and he might keep Bradley Beal happy (being from the same draft class), similar age and playing style
Bertans is better than Barnes, why would they make that trade?
Bertans isn’t better ….. easy as that
Go bigger: Mahinmi (expiring) and Bryant (young and reasonable contract) and a pick (seconds?) for Love. The Wiz’s blueprint is set with Wall for the next four. Wall + Beal + Love is an Eastern Conference playoff lock.
Wiz needs a strong cool 3rd figure so they don’t have to rely on the Wall-Beal pairing getting inflamed. Either TT or Love would work.
Bryant would be better if TT was a spur, and he would be happier if he could shoot 3s more often– TT could also play the 4, though he duplicates Rui there.
Definitely don’t go bigger!!
Bryant is a solid young starting centre.
I do think Wall Beal Love is a playoff lock but Love isn’t going to last well, neither is Love and Beal would want out cause he’s still young and up and coming.
This move would lock the Wizards up with 2 awful deals for guys that won’t age well.
Harrison Barnes is from the same draft class as Bradley Beal hes 27 so when his deal expires he’s only 30 not like Love who will be 35.
Plus Barnes is better defensively.
Instead of Wall Beal and Love with Hachimura (the no defence team) You’d have Wall Beal Barnes Hachimura Bryant
Wizards have no interest in Barnes and his awful contract unless Wall is included lol
Barnes makes way more sense than Love or TT.
Kings would love to move him as well. Should be an easy deal to get done.
But very hard to afford, and hard to match without Bertans.
Not hard to afford. They already have Mahnimis expiring deal as a starting point and just work from there. Not like Kings will want boat loads like the Cavs will be wanting