Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: 3 players who may not make it to the season opener

By Cem Yolbulan

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Delon Wright #55 and Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards react during the fourth quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Delon Wright #55 and Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards react during the fourth quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Landry Shamet

Another backcourt player who might find himself squeezed out of the rotation for the Wizards is Landry Shamet. The 26-year-old shooting guard, who was acquired from the Phoenix Suns as part of the Bradley Beal trade, has to compete with plenty of other guards that the Wizards front office has invested in.

Shamet, who has been in the playoffs every single season in his 5-year career, might prefer to be on a playoff team once again. What complicates a potential deal for Shamet is his contract paying him $10.25 million for the 2023-24 season. For playoff teams, paying a player with significant defensive weaknesses that much in salary might not be palatable. It makes the salary-matching in a deal that much more complicated as well.

However, Shamet has a reputation around the league as a premium 3-point shooter. A career 38.8% shooter from beyond the arc, Shamet is a respected outside shooter that playoff teams might want to have around as another offensive weapon, especially after he played well for the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

There were rumors about the Miami Heat potentially being interested in Shamet’s services, but nothing came to fruition there. Even if there was a potential Shamet trade, it’s unlikely that the Wizards will receive a positive return. Considering that the next two years of Shamet’s contract is non-guaranteed, it’s also possible that the Wizards will keep him around for this season as a floor-spacer and make him a free agent in the 2024 offseason.

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