Wiz of Awes
Fansided

2018 Washington Wizards Wish List

By C. Denton Day

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 27: Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Washington Wizards goes up for a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks on December 27, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 27: Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Washington Wizards goes up for a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks on December 27, 2017 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Make a move at the deadline

The Wizards need to shake some things up on this roster. A relatively quiet free agency in order to maintain chemistry was a reasonable thought. It has not exactly been great thus far.

To be more specific, they need a guy inside.

Marcin Gortat has had some great times in D.C. and is fantastic in the pick-and-roll with Wall. He’s also had more games with five or less rebounds (11), than double-digit rebounds (nine).

The emergence of the stretch-four and now the stretch-five puts Gortat in a bad spot defensively. He is much more of a traditional center that looks visibly uncomfortable guarding anyone on the perimeter.

Ian Mahinmi, who backs up Gortat, has scored 124 points, grabbed 122 rebounds and committed 101 fouls. That speaks for itself.

These two players equate for over $38 million of the Wizards salary. One of them has to go.

There are plenty of options for the Wizards to go after. Some of them won’t even require the Wizards to give up a first round pick for the third year in a row.

Whether it’s Laker forward Julius Randle, Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel or literally anyone else, the team needs to change something up.

This team has a ton of potential and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is still a very realistic goal. But the team needs to show up for every game, before we can even begin to think about a possible Cavaliers of Celtics postseason matchup.

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