Washington Wizards: 5 Possible Trades Before NBA Deadline
Washington Wizards: 5 Possible Deals Before the NBA Trade Deadline
After starting the season two games above .500, the Washington Wizards suffered an up-and-down period which led to their 23-28 record at the All-Star break.
Even with the slow start, Washington is still in the playoff race. They’re currently the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, and six games back from the Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast division. The team has struggled in the new pace-and-space offense and the players have struggled with the adjustment as well.
Both Kris Humphries and Jared Dudley have started at the power forward spot this season. The team has struggled defensively and they’ve failed to rebound at a high rate — both key parts from their former identity.
The Washington Wizards are looking for players that will fill the void at the four spot and players that can provide energy off the bench. Here are some trades Washington could possibly complete before the deadline later this month.
Both the Pelicans and the Wizards are living down the expectations many people had for them before the season started.
New Orleans went from being a playoff team last season to a 20-33 record in a injury-filled season. Ryan Anderson is one of the bright spots on the team, averaging career highs in each category.
Anderson is a perfect fit for the Washington Wizards’ new offensive scheme and getting Pondexter, who is unlikely to play this season with a knee injury, will make the trade work due to his contract.
Sending Nene to New Orleans with a protected first round pick would be a win for both teams, considering Anderson will walk from New Orleans in the summer and the Wizards are still looking to make the playoffs. The pick would be protected, so if the playoff push doesn’t result into anything substantial, the Wizards would get to keep it.
The Phoenix Suns are a complete mess.
After having two good seasons with Jeff Hornacek, the Suns fell off the face of the earth with a 14-40 record which led to Hornacek’s firing. Phoenix will have a fire sale before the deadline and P.J. Tucker‘s name will be involved in talks.
Tucker is having a a below average year, averaging seven points and five rebounds in 54 games this season. Even with the slow start, Tucker is a great high usage player the Wizards can get for cheap.
Trading away Gooden and Temple wouldn’t hurt the Wizards and Tucker will get a fresh start with a new team. Otto Porter has struggled to defend elite small-forwards this season and Tucker would give them a much-needed lift on the defensive end of the floor. Think “Trevor Ariza light”.
During the offseason, Utah head coach Quin Snyder expressed interest in Temple, but was quickly turned down by the Washington Wizards. Seven months later, Washington is interested in reuniting with Trevor Booker plus adding a replacement for Temple.
Booker was a solid backup for the Wizards until he was let go after his fourth season with the team. Burke has shown some flashes in Utah, but he isn’t the team’s answer at point guard.
This trade will make sense for both teams. Utah will get defensive minded-guard and a veteran big man in Humphries. Washington will bring back Booker and have a young scorer on the bench with Burke. The Jazz are inching towards the playoffs, and at this point, having Temple over Burke would be an upgrade.
A change of scenery would be good for Burke, who hasn’t lived up to expectations out of Michigan.
Even with posting the third best record in the East, Boston is still looking for more pieces to add to their success. I wrote about the Washington Wizards trading for Olynyk in one of my earlier articles. Olynyk has shown he can be a starting stretch four in the NBA, but is in a crowded big man situation.
As for David Lee, well, he would just be a filler. Lee would walk in the summer, just like Nene. Although Nene is the better player, he simply isn’t reliable enough.
The Celtics always look to potentially add picks and would consider swapping one of their young bigs in exchange for another selection in June. The Washington Wizards need young bodies in the front court and Olynyk could serve as a stretch four of the future.
The Houston Rockets went from a Conference Finals appearance last season to a 27-28 record and currently out of the playoff picture. Houston is currently shopping their players to other teams including Dwight Howard.
Motiejunas and Jones are two good young big men that suffered injuries in their young careers, but they both can give depth to a below average unit. The Rockets don’t seem too high on neither player, and as I’ve mentioned previously, the Washington Wizards need young bigs.
If the Wizards can’t land a top free agent in the summer, they could re-sign someone like Jones, who would fit in well with the current core. Montiejunas is also capable of spacing the floor. Washington would instantly upgrade their front court, which is arguably their biggest weakness.
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Do any of these trades intrigue you? Let us know in the comments section.