The Washington Wizards are in the midst of a miserable start to the season. Their defense is in shambles and they rank dead last in point differential through five games. One of the main reasons for their defensive struggles is their lack of adequate center depth. The only traditional centers they have on the roster are Daniel Gafford and Mike Muscala. Gafford has been dealing with injuries, and Muscala has been in and out of the rotation, leaving the Wizards with an extremely small and physically underwhelming team.
If they are trying to be a competitive, respectable team this season, the Wizards need to solve their frontcourt depth problem. They have to add more size, physicality, and defensive chops.
Fortunately for them, backup center is perhaps the easiest need to fill in the NBA. Due to many teams resorting to small-ball, there are plenty of centers who are undervalued or underutilized around the league. It would behoove the Wizards to take advantage of this and trade for one of these easily acquirable big men. Let’s take a look at some of their options.
Omer Yurtseven
The 25-year-old center from Turkey signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz this offseason, but he has failed to become a major part of the rotation. After spending two seasons with the Miami Heat, Yurtseven had made a name for himself as an excellent rebounder and finisher around the basket, but he hasn’t been able to fully establish his career just yet. This may be difficult in the crowded frontcourt rotation of the Utah Jazz that includes Walker Kessler, Kelly Olynyk, Lauri Markkanen, and John Collins.
That is why a fresh start with the Washington Wizards could prove useful for Yurtseven. He would have a regular rotation role and consistent minutes. His 6’11 frame with a strong build, combined with his soft touch can be effective against bench units. He is not the most impactful defender as a center due to his athletic and physical limitations. However, his ability to provide size, intensity, and rebounding for a very affordable price would be extremely helpful for a Wizards team struggling to get defensive stops.
Plus, Yurtseven is no stranger to D.C. as he spent his collegiate career at Georgetown University. A return to Washington could help revive his career.
Isaiah Jackson
The Indiana Pacers big man is another option for the Washington Wizards to upgrade their backup center slot. Considering the Wizards’ desperate need for size, athleticism, and interior presence, they can do much worse than Isaiah Jackson.
The Kentucky product was drafted 22nd overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Despite being highly effective in his first two seasons, he still hasn’t cracked the Pacers rotation. He has also been forgotten in the deep frontcourt rotation in Indiana that consists of Myles Turner, Jalen Smith, and Obi Toppin. Moreover, they selected Jarace Walker in this year’s draft, adding another big man that they are trying to develop.
This is a major obstacle in terms of playing time for Jackson. The 21-year-old was one of the best rim protectors off the bench last season. His average of 3.2 blocks per 36 minutes ranked 4th in the entire league last season. He is athletic, can rebound, and excels in blocking shots. His offensive game is limited to offensive rebounding and finishing inside the paint, but that is fine.
The Wizards only need him to roll to the rim, crash the boards, and provide physical presence and intensity; basically what they ask Daniel Gafford to do. If the Wizards can get 48 minutes of solid center play, that should do wonders for them defensively. Targeting undervalued and underutilized players like Isaiah Jackson is a great way to find some value on the margins. He should be easily acquirable.
Day’Ron Sharpe
Another first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Day’Ron Sharpe is similarly underutilized in a backup center role for the Brooklyn Nets. Playing around 12 minutes per game for his career and also this season, Sharpe has consistently been effective in his limited playing time. A 6’11 center with a 265-pound frame, the University of North Carolina product doesn’t get pushed around in the paint, a quality the Washington Wizards could certainly use.
Sharpe is still a work in progress in terms of his defense. His subpar athleticism, slow lateral mobility, and lack of rim protection are the reasons why he isn’t playing more minutes. Because offensively, he is more than ready.
The 22-year-old is an excellent rebounder on both ends of the floor. But his offensive rebounding might be his most impressive skill. His average of 21.5% offensive-rebounding rate is amongst the NBA’s elite. This would add another dimension to Wizards offense. Someone who can keep possessions alive and finish around the rim could prove useful for the Wizards bench.
Considering that Daniel Gafford is regularly dealing with nagging injuries, having a center with size who can slide into the starting lineup may help the Wizards maintain a similar level of play. Sharpe doesn’t have the athleticism Gafford provides, but he can more than make up for it with his two-way interior presence.
James Wiseman
Despite the Detroit Pistons trading away five second-round picks for him last season, James Wiseman still can’t see the floor. He is behind Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, and Marvin Bagley in the rotation and has only played in one game this year. That seems unlikely to change anytime soon, especially once they are at full strength with the return of Bojan Bogdanovic. This could be an opportunity for the Washington Wizards.
Wiseman is still 22 years old. His raw physical tools are still impressive. He is a legit 7-footer with an elite wingspan. When fully actualized, he has the ability to be a two-way center with his soft touch, scoring ability, and rim protection potential. He just has to play regularly and build confidence.
Even though this is Wiseman’s fourth season in the NBA, he has only played in 85 games. That is basically one full season of professional basketball. Considering how little he played in college, Wiseman just needs to be in a situation where he can play without the pressure of getting pulled if he makes mistakes. He needs the developmental time without worrying about winning. The Wizards can provide him with that opportunity.
Wiseman can walk into a 20-minute-a-night role with Washington, as he is better than the current backups on the Wizards roster, despite his flaws. He would automatically be the tallest, biggest player on the roster, and that is something the Wizards can rely on if all else fails.
If there is one thing this Wizards front office possesses, it’s patience, and that’s the main thing Wiseman needs. This could be an ideal match for both sides.
Paul Reed
This is perhaps the least acquirable player on this list. Reed will likely never play more than 15 minutes a night as Joel Embiid’s backup. Yet, his role in the rotation is so set in stone that the Philadelphia 76ers wouldn’t move on from him unless things weren’t working out. However, there is a chance things in Philadelphia may go poorly and the Sixers need to change things up. In that case, Reed can be acquirable in exchange for one of Washington’s backcourt or wing players.
Reed is the perfect backup big as he can play different schemes depending on the rest of the personnel on the court. He can switch out on the perimeter and guard smaller players or he can play drop coverage and protect the rim. He is an active and impactful help defender thanks to his length, mobility, and athleticism. In fact, if Washington were to acquire him, he could even start ahead of Daniel Gafford.
Regardless of what his role in Washington would be, Reed is the type of player the Wizards will need to target. Only 24 years old and in the first year of a 3-year, $23 million deal, Reed has the upside to significantly outplay his contract. The Wizards have the ability to offer a bigger role and more playing time to players of Reed’s stature. They can use this to their advantage to lure young players with potential. That can start with Reed.
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