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Washington Wizards: Thoughts Post Otto Porter’s Press Conference

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 7: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards goes for a dunk during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 7: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards goes for a dunk during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter will have a lot of pressure on him next season, after becoming the team’s highest paid player this offseason. However, according to Porter, he doesn’t see it as pressure, and is excited to get back out there with the guys and improve on the most successful season of his career.

On Wesdensday, the Washington Wizards held a press conference regarding Otto Porter’s integral role with the team. And as Ted Leonsis’ put it, there was never any doubt in his mind that Porter would remain with the Wizards’ organization.

The Wizards owner also made clear, that Porter does not have to go “out and earn his contract,” to prove that he’s a max player. With that statement, Leonsis has put to rest the question of whether Porter is truly a max player, because unequivocally Porter’s contract is what the market dictates.

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I agree with Leonsis’ statement, because I don’t believe that a player’s contract always equates to the player’s value to the team. Take for example, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

For almost his entire career, although Curry was the best player on the team, he was the 5th-highest paid. Last season, he was the 4th-highest paid, but he recently signed a max contract for over $200 million, this offseason.

No one can doubt, that when Porter’s on fire at the 3-point line, that he’s unstoppable. Porter had a breakout season last year, and led the league, at one point, in 3-point shooting.

During the press conference, Porter addressed the need for consistency, that there will be “no nights off”, and that he plans on improving. That is a very encouraging sign, because if Porter consistently shoots lights out, then the Wizards are unstoppable.

Another takeaway from the presser, was Leonsis’ statement – that there was “no drama” surrounding the contract negotiations. Again, I take that as face value, because the front office knew that they wanted to retain Porter, and said from the onset, that they would match any and every offer.

Or as David Aldridge of TNT succinctly put it, after the Wizards matched, ‘Washington did what they said they were going to do.’

Although the Wizards couldn’t say publicly that they would match Porter’s offer sheet, due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, they let it be known throughout the land, that they planned on being “aggressive”.

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Some reports used the term “poison pill” incorrectly to describe some of the terms in his offer sheet. A poison pill is used by corporations to prevent a hostile takeover. The Nets were not trying to take over the Wizards. Brooklyn was only trying to gain a competitive edge, to retain Porter’s services.

Obviously, it wasn’t a deterrent, because the Wizards didn’t bat an eye. In addition, the 15% trade kicker is standard, and the way Porter’s contract is structured it may never kick in.

Bottom line, Leonsis wanted to tell us that there’s nothing to see here. They planned on retaining their core, and their real work is shoring up the second unit.

When Porter, similar to Curry not too long ago, is on the court next season, we’re looking at the player and not the paycheck. The paycheck can’t grab a rebound.

I believed last season, and I believe now, that the Wizards have what it takes to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. If Porter can be locked in and loaded, as he was when Cleveland came to town, there’s nothing preventing the Wizards from being the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference.

Porter is an integral and important part of the team. As I wrote recently, the band is back together, and had Porter left, the Wizards would have been off-key next season.

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During his entire career, he has been a consummate professional on and off the court. The unselfish nature that Porter displays on the court, can also be seen in his personal life. For example, Leonsis was surprised to learn when he visited Georgetown, that Porter has already given back to his alma mater.

To be honest, that really touched me, because that’s a caring heart, to give in private with no fanfare. If that’s not the definition of a superstar, I don’t know what is.

Porter is not only a good friend to the community, but also to his teammates. According to Chris Miller of CSN – MidAtlantic, Porter leaves Wednesday night to travel to Poland to participate in Marcin Gortat’s basketball camp. Miller reported, that’s the second time in three years, that Porter has taken time out of his summer to do so.

As Leonsis said, by retaining Porter the Wizards kept the core, which was only one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and the band will continue its march to a 50-win season.

Next: 4 Ways John Wall Can Be the Best Wizard Ever

Most importantly, Leonsis doesn’t want to hear any more talk about contracts. And if you looked close enough, you saw a twinkle in Ernie Grunfeld’s eyes.

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