Washington Wizards need to increase their bench’s production and could target Lakers guard Lou Williams or Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
At the beginning of the season, no one could’ve imagined seeing the Washington Wizards climb to home court advantage position before the NBA All-Star break.
Somehow, without making any roster changes, the Wizards – who were sitting at the bottom of the standings next to the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers – gained enough momentum to propel themselves to third in the Eastern Conference.
John Wall, averaging 23 points and 11 assists per game, is on his way to being named to an All-NBA team for the first time in his career. Bradley Beal has blossomed into one of the league’s elite scorers and Otto Porter is leading the league in 3-point percentage.
Both Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris are experiencing career-seasons, too, with Gortat putting up a double-double and Morris developing a consistent shot from behind the arc.
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But the team’s bench has been a concern, as they’ve been last in scoring, challenged only by the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.
The off-season signings, particularly Andrew Nicholson and Ian Mahinmi, haven’t contributed on a consistent basis.
Nicholson has been out of Scott Brooks‘ rotation for months after struggling to find a rhythm. Mahinmi has dealt with knee injuries all season long, forcing Brooks to rely on Jason Smith.
The guards haven’t consistently produced, either.
Trey Burke and Tomas Satoransky have traded spots in the rotation a couple of times, but now share the backcourt off the bench.
Satoransky, a pass-first guard, is averaging under 7 points per-36 minutes. Burke, who’s had impressive stretches, has been largely inconsistent.
For the Wizards to maintain their place in the standings and make a push once the NBA Playoffs begin, the second unit is going to need a lift.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards could end up moving their first round draft pick for help.
“Washington feels like it’s a top heavy team,” said Wojnarowski during an NBA Trade Deadline preview. “They rely a lot on their starters. They’ve got to improve their bench. They feel like if there’s a wing player they can get out in the trade market – Lou Williams they have interest in and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Both Williams and Bogdanovic possess the skill-set to immediately become the Washington Wizards’ sixth man.
Williams is averaging close to 19 points per game this season. Bogdanovic is averaging just over 14 points.
Williams, a combo-guard, is an isolation scorer, which is something the Wizards desperately need. Bogdanovic can also score in those situations, but would be capable of sharing the court with the starters as another catch-and-shoot target.
Next: Predicting a Wizards Trade Deadline Deal
As Oz Baig noted yesterday, the Washington Wizards’ time to make a legitimate run in the postseason is now.. The team seems to know that, given their interest in both players.