Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: Should Wizards Fans be Excited for Next Season?

By Erik Threet II

Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and Wizards guard John Wall (2) shake hands with fans while leaving the floor after their game against the Chicago Bulls at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and Wizards guard John Wall (2) shake hands with fans while leaving the floor after their game against the Chicago Bulls at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) battles for a rebound with Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) and Wizards forward Jason Smith (14) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) battles for a rebound with Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) and Wizards forward Jason Smith (14) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Young Bigs

To build a stronger team, Washington’s front office must add young big man – a protégé for Marcin Gortat. Gortat has been invaluable for the Wizards this season, averaging his first double-double since joining the team.

He’s a physical big, who is a relentless rebounder. I believe his best asset is pick-and-roll efficiency. Gortat not only sets solid screens, but consistently creates passing lanes so John Wall can find him. The Wizards need to find somebody like the Polish Hammer. Fast.

He is 33 and the other two seven-footers on the roster, Ian Mahinmi and Jason Smith, are 30 and 31, respectively. They are out of their prime and aren’t pieces the Wizards can build around.

Mahinmi, who will average $16 million the next three seasons, only played in 31 regular season games due to a torn meniscus.

The Wizards are Smith’s fourth team in four years. He is a role player – at best – for most NBA teams and though he excelled in his role, Washington should look elsewhere to improve its team.

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