Wiz of Awes
Fansided

3 trades that set the Washington Wizards up for the offseason

By Caleb Sarvis

SAITAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 02: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards defends during the Washington Wizards v Golden State Warriors - NBA Japan Games at Saitama Super Arena on October 02, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. 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 Jun Sato/WireImage)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 02: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards defends during the Washington Wizards v Golden State Warriors - NBA Japan Games at Saitama Super Arena on October 02, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. 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 Jun Sato/WireImage) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: James Wiseman #33 high-fives Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in front of Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on January 25, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: James Wiseman #33 high-fives Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in front of Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on January 25, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Trade 2: Move on from Porzingis

Wizards Receive: Draymond Green, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Johnny Davis

Why the Wizards say yes: This is all about financial flexibility and rebuilding the Wizards young talent pool for the future. While this writer loves watching the Unicorn hoop in a Wizards uniform, Porzingis is set to make $36 million next year, a huge cap hit considering Kuzma is looking for a big raise and Gafford’s salary jumps from $2 million to about $12 million. Unless he agrees to restructure his contract with the team, it makes it even more difficult for the Wizards to build a contender around this idea of a “Big Three.” It will hurt to lose a talent like Porzingis, but in return, you take a flyer on a backup for Gafford (and former second overall pick) and you add a raw, exciting talent in Jonathan Kuminga. And like Evan Fournier, Draymond Green becomes a moveable contract in the offseason if the fit proves to be a problem.

Why the Warriors say yes: We don’t need to revisit the punch heard around the league, or even analyze Draymond Green’s comments regarding the “writing is on the wall” but it looks like Green’s time with Golden State is coming to an end. His offensive shortcomings and tough guy barking don’t really have a roll on that team anymore and with the team investing in Jordan Poole, it makes sense to move him before another incident occurs. Neither Wiseman nor Kuminga fit Steph Curry’s timeline and quest to win another championship, and one can only wonder how lethal a pick-and-roll offense built around Curry and Porzingis could be. Plus, Golden State’s tax situation is only about to get worse. Would they rather pay big bucks for roll players and slow-growing prospects, or an established veteran like Kristaps Porzingis?

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