Washington Wizards: DeMarcus Cousins or the Dirty Dozen?

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Mar 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Must Make Sacrifices

Isaiah Thomas, who’s due for an extension this season from Boston, recently said, that he’s “willing” to forgo his big payday, if that means adding an All-Star caliber player to help his team win.

Thomas only made $6.59 million during the 2016-2017 season, and with one year remaining on his current contract, he’s due $6.26 million next season. In the summer of 2018, Thomas will become an unrestricted free agent.

In 2016, while attending a Celtics Summer League game, with regards to his free agency in 2018, Thomas remarked, “They better bring out the Brinks truck. They’re paying everybody else. I gotta get something.” And that was before the Celtics even made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Yet, if Thomas were to sign an extension this offseason, which some would label a max contract, it could be worth $145 million and run through 2021-2022.

However, if he waited until free agency, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, he could sign with the Celtics or elsewhere, for $179 million over 5 years, with $40 million coming in his last year.

That’s why the second John Wall made an All-NBA team, I advised that he should “hold”, while seemingly everyone thinks he should sign the extension.

What some fail to realize, whether Wall signs or not, he’s already under contract with the Wizards. He should take his time and get the most money possible.

The point of the matter is, the Celtics already made it to the ECF this season and they’re building a team to make it to the Finals next season. Meanwhile their star player is “willing” to make a sacrifice in order to help them get there.

Let’s just say for the sake of argument, that Thomas decides to hold, and wait till free agency kicks in. Before the Big 3 came to Boston – Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen – Boston was not a destination for superstar caliber players despite its storied history. After this season, Boston won’t have much trouble trying to lure such talent as Gordon Hayward, DeMarcus Cousins and dare I say, Paul George.

The way to the Eastern Conference Finals, like it or not, is through Boston for the Wizards. So while the Washington is trying to shore up its bench, Boston is trying to turn its frontcourt into the best frontcourt in the East.

Make no doubt about it, the Celtics are making a run for the Finals next season, and they’re willing to make sacrifices to achieve that goal. Whether it’s trading their number 1 pick, Thomas forgoing his extension, or even trading one of their marquee players, the Celtics are very serious and are all in.

Washington must do likewise, although we don’t have a high pick (52nd), we are now a destination spot for free agents.

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John Wall is correct, he doesn’t have to go hat in hand to land a star player to come to Washington, because what the team achieved this season speaks for itself.

The Wizards were one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals, despite the play of its bench.

Thus, Washington is going to have to make some tough choices and sacrifices this offseason. This includes benching Marcin Gortat, and alternating starter minutes between Otto Porter and a newly acquired small forward.

Because the problem, for the most part, was not with the Wizards’ starting unit, it was that the starting unit was not afforded rest due to its unreliable second unit.

Washington’s bench was outscored, outclassed and outplayed in every way imaginable.

The bench is a critical and integral part of the team. As goes the bench, so goes the team. It was also problematic that the Wizards didn’t play with a sense of urgency, but now its upon the front office to do so.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of building a bench, that would resemble a starting lineup on another team, in the same fashion as the Celtics have crafted theirs.

Washington is only as strong as its bench. Therefore, the bench should not be the first priority this offseason, it should be the Only priority.

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