Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: Should Otto Porter Jr be a buyout target?

By Jack Skolnik

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 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 - JANUARY 13: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 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
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Washington Wizards Bradley Beal Otto Porter. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards Bradley Beal Otto Porter. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards Must Consider Otto Porter’s Fit

The first and most important part of a Porter signing is his fit in the rotation. One of the biggest positives that Porter would bring is his familiarity with both Bradley Beal and coach Scott Brooks. Often times when bringing in a new player, they may need some time to get fully acclimated, and Porter may still need that considering how different this team looks from the last time he was here.

However, his familiarity with two of the most important parts of this team cannot be understated. Outside of John Wall, I don’t think anybody knows how to play next to Bradley Beal as well as Otto Porter does. The two spent almost three and half seasons in the same starting lineup, and all but one season doing it under Brooks.

Regardless of how you feel about Brooks and his coaching style, familiarity is important, especially when it comes to learning on the fly, which any new player would need to do in this ‘win now’ situation.

Porter would also be a nice fit playing next to Russell Westbrook as well. Otto could play a similar role to the one he did during the John Wall era as a viable catch-and-shoot threat. Westbrook would benefit from having a guy like Porter who can stretch the floor and allow Westbrook to operate downhill where he thrives the most.

Porter could pretty seamlessly slip into the Wizards rotation and be effective. As it is with most “3&D” players, he will come in, knock down shots and play defense. The Wizards have already fallen victim to Porter twice this season. In two games vs. the Wizards (both wins for Porter and the Bulls), he averaged 22 points while shooting 58 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three.

Porter would arrive in D.C. as the best wing option and would eat up minutes on the wing, tightening up a rotation that sometimes feels random and is rarely consistent.

Although the Wizards have some intriguing young pieces, they need a stopgap if they want to compete while their young wings continue to develop. Otto Porter is just that.

Home/Wizards Rumors