Are the Washington Wizards Done Adding Players?
By Osman Baig
Washington Wizards management has been relatively quiet recently. They’ve seemingly filled all the expected roster spots. Is the team really done making moves?
It’s been a while but I’m back and chomping at the bit as we are only two and a half months away from the start of the next NBA season! For the Washington Wizards the summer has been eventful and meaningful for the outlook of this franchise as they matched the Brooklyn Nets’ max offer sheet to Otto Porter and followed that up by getting John Wall’s signature on a supermax contract extension.
The significance there is that this extension keeps John Wall contractually obligated to the Washington Wizards for AT LEAST another five seasons. Breathe a sigh of relief Wizards fans; there will be no Paul George situation in D.C. next summer.
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Prior to that, the summer was underwhelming to say the least. In fact, I’d probably call it below underwhelming if there was such a phrase to describe that (if there is please let me know). After completing 49-win season which saw the Washington Wizards one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, their offseason additions were limited to Jodie Meeks and Mike Scott, and the trade for Tim Frazier on the eve of the draft.
In addition to the aforementioned players, the Wizards also signed Michael Young out of Pitt and Devin Robinson from the University of Florida as their two-way contract players.
I’m not here to say these additions won’t have an impact, but let’s not call this the equivalent of the Boston Celtics adding Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum. The Wizards roster currently stands at 17 players including the two-way contract players with 15 regular season roster spots available. That shouldn’t mean that the roster as-is should be set in stone however.
Sheldon Mac and Daniel Ochefu have contracts that are only partially guaranteed prior to their respective guarantee dates so if Washington chooses to do so, they can move on from either for a nominal cap hit. Chris McCullough has a guaranteed salary of approximately $1.47MM next year, but the 3rd year pro played so poorly in summer league, it’s difficult to imagine the Wizards picking up his fourth year option or him contributing this upcoming season.
Given the uncertainty surrounding McCullough’s ability to contribute and the flexibility in Mac’s and Ochefu’s contracts, Washington should not limit themselves in terms of continuing to add to the roster. Teams are allowed to carry up to 20 players on their rosters during the offseason, so Washington can exceed their current roster prior to camp and allow competition to sort out who the bottom of the roster is comprised of.
To that end, I’ve listed a few players who I think could help Washington on the back-end of their roster.