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3 FIBA World Cup standouts the Washington Wizards should consider signing

By Cem Yolbulan

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 30: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of Jordan and Josh Hart of USA during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group C game between United States and Jordan at Mall of Asia Arena on August 30, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ariana Saigh/Getty Images)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 30: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of Jordan and Josh Hart of USA during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group C game between United States and Jordan at Mall of Asia Arena on August 30, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ariana Saigh/Getty Images) /
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The 2023 FIBA World Cup is over. The United States was underwhelming once again, coming in fourth after losing to Lithuania, Germany, and Canada. Germany shocked the world by winning it all, for the first time in their history. The World Cup may not be as prestigious as the Olympics for international basketball, but it’s still a high-level competition with some of the best players in the world. Not only were there plenty of takeaways for USA Basketball, but there were also plenty of players who shone brightly throughout the tournament.

For NBA teams, especially the rebuilding ones, finding value on the margins is key. This could be through targeting undervalued players in the NBA or signing international players and bringing them to the NBA. This is obviously the case for the Washington Wizards as well. The Wizards can do themselves a favor by targeting the World Cup standouts to sign for the minimum or their last two-way contract spot.

The Wizards currently have 16 guaranteed contracts and they have to bring that number down to 15 before the season opener. There are obvious trade candidates like Delon Wright, Danilo Gallinari, or Landry Shamet, as well as waive candidates like Anthony Gill or Xavier Cooks. If Washington were to create an additional roster spot by moving two of these players, they could sign one of the standouts.

Another option for the Wizards would be to sign a player to a two-way contract. The Wizards already have Eugene Omoruyi and Jared Butler signed to two-way contracts and they have one more spot available. These players will split their time between Capital City Go-Go and the Wizards as the team tracks their development.

The main needs for the Wizards are size, shooting, and defense. Any player who can provide one or more of these attributes should be welcome for the 2023-24 Washington Wizards. However, the main goal for the Wizards should be talent accumulation. The more talent and upside they bring in through the door, the better it will be for the franchise long-term. Here are some players who showed that they fit that description with their FIBA World Cup performance.

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