Washington Wizards Free Agency: To Stay or Go?

Washington Wizards: Players That Can Stay, Go

The Washington Wizards will only have John Wall, Otto Porter, Marcin Gortat, Kelly Oubre and Markieff Morris under contract while entering the free agency period. Virtually everyone else is going to become a free agent in some capacity, including Bradley Beal.

Given how bad the team was this season, you can kind of assume that the roster is going to look completely different next year.

The starting five will likely return – Beal is a restricted free agent and the team can (and likely will) match any offer – but the team is going to have holes that will be filled by free agents.

The team was riddled with injuries, so we got to see some of the bench players on the court a lot more than we originally anticipated. Players like Ramon Sessions and Jared Dudley, for instance, got to raise their stock before becoming free agents.

Washington will have the opportunity to reach out to their own free agents, but should they?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the players that can stay or go.

(Again – this is not about whether players *will* stay, it’s about whether the players *should* return for another season)

Nene

This one is tougher than expected.

Nene is still capable of being a backup big man on a winning team…I think. When he’s healthy, Nene can score inside, defend pick-and-rolls and move the ball effectively from the mid-post area. Therein lies the problem, though. Nene is never healthy and he’s only going to get older.

It’s been real, Nene.

Without his presence on the team, Washington wouldn’t have experienced a shift in culture. He was a no-nonsense player and helped mentor some of the Wizards’ younger talent. But, it’s time to move on.

Verdict: Go

Jared Dudley

Dudley was among the league leaders in 3-point percentage this season. Plus, he was our first podcast guest. The tension between JD and coach Randy Wittman became evident.

He eventually lost his starting job to Markieff Morris and never recovered.

Alan Anderson

John Wall wants the Washington Wizards to re-sign Anderson. I recently wrote about why they absolutely shouldn’t waste a roster spot on him, even though he seems like a terrific dude.

He’s old and prone to injury. Washington can’t afford – literally – to have another wasted season from Anderson.

Verdict: Go, but not without giving everyone dap

Drew Gooden

Gooden was signed to a 10-day contract a few years ago after Nene went out with injury. He was magical. He became a unicorn from mid-range and even extended his shot out to the three point arc. He suddenly became one of Washington’s most indispensable players. He earned a raise this past summer, too.

But things change and father time isn’t kind. Gooden is no longer a productive NBA player. He cannot defend and his offense is inconsistent. It’s been real, Drew.

He was one of the dope guys in the locker room and everyone enjoyed having him around.

Verdict: Go

Ramon Sessions

From an offensive standpoint, Sessions was one of the better backup point guards in the NBA this season. When Wall missed the last few games of the season due to injury, Sessions morphed into a mini Hildred. During the last five games of the season, Sessions averaged roughly 18 points and 10 assists.

We’ll disregard his defensive lapses. Sessions was so good that Wittman refused to call him out during film…sessions.

Sessions is probably going to get paid this summer and I’m not certain Washington should overpay to keep him. Tomas Satoransky is still sort of a possibility. He’s 30-years-old and will want stability.

Sessions was the best backup the Washington Wizards had since Antonio Daniels. Now, the Wizards will be forced to find another backup.

I will genuinely miss watching Sessions throw himself in the air and somehow convince the officials to blow their whistles. He was a quiet assassin. But, Washington should look for a more versatile guard – perhaps someone that can play both spots.

Verdict: Go, but with complete sadness

Garrett Temple

I’m torn on this one.

Every coach has “their guy” and Temple was Wittman’s. He found his way into the rotation even when he should have been chillin’ on the bench.

J.J. Hickson

Hickson is the exact opposite of Gooden, Kris Humphries, Nene and DeJuan Blair. He’s full of energy and he’s only 27-years-old. He’s the type of player that the fans can get behind and support. The dude looked like prime Amar’e Stoudemire in Washington. It seemed like he scored the ball every time he touched it.

Hickson runs, catches lobs and rebounds well. He’s a very solid backup big man.

He showed flashes of what the Washington Wizards should want in their backup big next season.

Verdict: Stay

Jarell Eddie

Okay, I have to admit: I’m the biggest Eddie fan.

Eddie isn’t great, but he deserved more playing time than he received under Wittman. He made four 3-point shots in his debut for Washington and looked like Reggie Miller in his prime. Unfortunately, it was all down hill from there. He rarely got meaningful minutes, and when he did play, he didn’t hit very many shots.

I’m convinced Eddie can still become a solid role player at this level. He was regarded as the best 3-point shooter not in the NBA prior to getting signed. He can stroke it. Washington needs youth and he’s only 24. Plus, he’s super energetic on the bench. If the NBA had a towel waving award, Eddie would be a top candidate.

Bring him back, just because he’s awesome.

Verdict: Stay, but if he goes, I’ll understand with sadness

Marcus Thornton

Remember how annoying Jordan Crawford was? His annoying demeanor was tolerable because he carried himself with steez. Thornton doesn’t have much steez, but he has just as much – if not more – of an annoying aura as Crawford. It’s not a good mix.

He shoots the ball a lot. Per 36 minutes, Thornton averaged the most shots per game in Washington. I did not look that up, but I’m certain it’s true.

Verdict: Go, and hope his time in Washington is quickly forgotten

Next: Wizards: Ranking the Teams With Coaching Vacancies

The players that were on the roster this season just weren’t good enough to make the playoffs. Injuries aside, the Washington Wizards simply weren’t as deep as we thought. They made trades and signed free agents throughout the season, but it wasn’t enough. Some of them, however, should get another shot in Washington.

Home/Wizards News

Washington Wizards: Which Players Should Stay or Go

By Ben Mehic | Apr 18, 2016