Wiz of Awes
Fansided

What the Smith-Dekker Trade Means for the Wizards

By Andrew E. Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: Jason Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards poses during media day at Entertainment and Sports Arena on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: Jason Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards poses during media day at Entertainment and Sports Arena on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s not quite the blockbuster trade Washington Wizards fans have been bracing for over the past month, but the team made some changes to the roster on Friday night.

In a three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks, as reported by NBC Sports Washington, the Wizards sent big man Jason Smith and cash considerations to the Bucks, as well as removed protections on a 2020 second-round pick that was included in the Jodie Meeks trade to Milwaukee earlier this year; the Cavs received the Wizards’ 2022 second-round pick as part of the deal too. The Wizards got forward Sam Dekker from Cleveland in return.

This is Dekker’s fourth team in as many season since coming out of the University of Wisconsin in 2015. After playing for the Houston Rockets in his first two seasons, he had a one-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers last season before being traded to Cleveland in August. He has played in 9 games so far this season, averaging 6.3 points per game, but has been inactive due to injury for over a month.

Smith leaves Washington in his third season with the team. While he didn’t get much playing time, he became a bit of a fan favorite due to his constant enthusiasm, support for his teammates, and positive attitude from the sidelines. In a league moving away from traditional big men, Smith’s role on the team was severely minimized behind the other centers on the roster, such as Dwight Howard, Thomas Bryant, and Ian Mahinmi; the Wizards have also been playing forward Markieff Morris at the five spot this season, leaving little room for Smith.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that the trade comes with some financial benefits for the Wizards as well. Not only does the deal save the team $2.7 million in salary, which can be used as a trade exception, but it also cut its luxury-tax bill by about $5 million (from about $14.5 million to $9.7 million). Through other deals, the team can continue to chip away at the luxury tax as it explore others moves throughout the season and potentially avoid the repeater tax.

Point being, this trade was hardly about improving the on-court product. Smith wasn’t getting much playing time and Dekker may very well follow suit in a crowded rotation of forwards and wingmen. Best-case scenario: Dekker finds a way to contribute this season and, as a restricted free agent, the Wizards have a chance to match any offer other teams make to him. Dekker showed flashes with the Rockets in his second season but hasn’t found that same spark since, so Wizards fans should definitely manage their expectations.

It is also worth noting that, after this trade, this Wizards own none of their second-round picks until 2023.

Wizards head to Cleveland seeking 4th straight win. light. Read

As part of the deal, the Bucks also obtained point guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round pick from the Cavaliers. The Cavs welcomed back erstwhile NBA Finals irritant Matthew Dellavedova as well as brought in center John Henson to go along with a future first-round draft pick and a 2021 second-round draft pick from the Bucks.

Home/Wizards News