Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Why Wizards Should Pursue Deron Williams From Waivers
Washington Wizards didn’t acquire a point guard before the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline, but Deron Williams became available from waivers.
The NBA Trade Deadline came and went, and so did a few members of the Washington Wizards.
Currently seated third in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards looked to bolster their bench, which is 29th in scoring.
Washington traded Andrew Nicholson, Marcus Thornton and a lottery-protected 2017 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough.
That trade was a good start, but that’s all it is at this juncture – a start.
The Wizards need to add a solid backup to John Wall at the point guard position. Other teams such as the Cavaliers have their starters sitting out entire games. Wall barely gets time to sit in a game, because the starters aren’t able to rely on the bench.
Before the trade deadline, the Wizards did not go after the double R’s that were available – Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves, nor Rajon Rondo of the Chicago Bulls. Either of these two players would create veteran backcourt leadership.
Yesterday, the Mavericks waived Deron Williams after failing to trade the former All-Star.
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Once players are waived, they have 48 hours to clear waivers. But before that happens, teams are allowed to bid on players and the player must sign with the highest bidder.
Washington has more than the veteran’s minimum to offer.
It was reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in Williams, but they’ve crossed the luxury tax line, making it harder for them to outbid Washington.
Williams would be a solid backup point guard to Wall – perhaps the best he’s ever had.
This season, Williams is averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 assists, while shooting 34.8% behind the 3-point arc.
If he clears waivers and becomes a free agent on Saturday, Williams is free to choose his destination and Cleveland is his most likely landing spot. Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld need to be aggressive and enter a bidding war for Williams against the Cavaliers.
The stars are now aligned for the Washington Wizards to make their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. This is their time to not only go to the conference finals, but a chance to make it to the Finals. The only team standing in their way are the Cavaliers.
LeBron James announced that the Cavaliers “need a “*%^* playmaker.” Why let the Cavaliers get a hold of Williams, so James is able to get rest each game and be fresh for the Finals?
Before Cleveland played the Knicks on Thursday, Cleveland Coach Ty Lue had this to say about Williams.
"“I always liked D-Will. He’s a good player. Anytime you have a guy who is an All-Star, he’s a great talent. So he can make the plays, he’s a great pick-and-roll player, he can shoot the basketball. He has size, so you can switch 1 through 4 with him defensively. He can post smaller guards. So I’ve always been a big fan of D-Will.”"
Cleveland already acquired a knockdown shooter from Atlanta with Kyle Korver, and now they’re about to get a solid backup for James. The Cavaliers are amassing an arsenal to compete against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.
The Wizards need to do the same, and the front office should go toe-to-toe with Cleveland’s front office and outbid them for Williams.
Wall cannot have another wasted season, because the Wizards have come too far from their auspicious start this season to let it slip away.
Next: Reacting to Washington's Trade Deadline
Washington’s players have done their job on the court, now the front office has to do their job off the court. It’s time for Ernie Grunfeld to continue improving the roster.