Washington Wizards: 4 trade deadline wishlist targets

Kristaps Porzingis: Dallas Mavericks

The Washington Wizards have not been linked to many big names this trade season, but they were once said to be “monitoring” Kristaps Porzingis in Dallas after a few trade rumors surfaced. Since then, Mark Cuban shot down the notion of Dallas trading Porzingis. The Mavericks look more like buyers than sellers at the deadline, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

If the Wizards’ monitoring leads them to believe Porzingis is actually available, he would be the perfect frontcourt addition for a team that desperately needs something new. Porzingis is a modern stretch five that is a legit threat from the outside — where he hasn’t shot below 35 percent since 2016 — and inside and can get 20 points per game with ease.

Plus, he offers reliable rim protection, something the Wizards are missing desperately and fits the Wizards’ NBA-leading pace much better than any big man currently on the roster.

Myles Turner: Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner has long been flirting with the trading block, but through it all, he’s stayed with the Indiana Pacers and has become a pretty valuable anchor to their defense, which ranks 14th in the NBA.

This season, the Pacers’ defense is five points better per 100 possessions with Turner on the floor. That’s not all too surprising considering how often Turner turns away opponents’ shots. Through March 23, Turner has a block percentage of 9.5, the best mark in the NBA. Turner also led the NBA in block percentage during the 2018-19 season (8.4).

Swatting shots is just what Turner does. He averages 3.4 rejections per season, nearly three times more than Wizards leader Alex Len (1.2). But he’s also a decent three-point shooter and has hit 35 percent of his shots from deep throughout his career.