The Washington Wizards have quietly positioned themselves for the chance to be extremely aggressive when the right opportunity presents itself.
Moving forward in their rebuild, Washington has the ammunition to make big moves on both the trade market and free agency as the team continues to reshape their roster with the future in mind.
With a talented young core in place, the Wizards' front office filled by President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins' have exited the reconstruction phase of the rebuild and have set their sights on surrounding the team's core with an adequate supporting cast.
Obviously, with the NBA trade deadline looming, all eyes are on any potential deals the Wizards could swing in the coming weeks.
However, the NBA Insider Tim McMahon may have just shed light on a potential addition that could come this offseason if the team players their cards right.
Wizards expected to be interested in Walker Kessler in RFA
In a recent interview on an episode of the Roundball Roundup, ESPN's Tim McMahon shed light on the impending free agency of big man Walker Kessler.
When discussing the potential market for Kessler, the insider revealed that one team in particular with heavy interest in the Jazz center would be the Wizards.
"I think there's going to be a pretty robust market for Walker [Kessler]," McMahon said. "I think the Washington Wizards lurk as a strong possibility, that's a team that has a ton of cap space."
Kessler's season was cut short after five games with the Jazz this season, but in those five games the Auburn product proved exactly why he's been one of the most coveted centers in the league over the last few years.
Averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 70.3% field goal shooting and 75% from three in those five games, the big man increased his career-averages to 9.5 PPG and 9.3 RPG.
At 7-foot-2, the potential fit alongside Wizards' emerging star Alex Sarr in the frontcourt would give Washington one of the most dangerous tandems in the league with an extremely impactful defensive pairing with high upside offensively.
The fit makes the Wizards interest obvious, but as a restricted free agent, it won't be as easy for Washington to land the big man as it sounds.
Washington could prove to be one of the bidders for Kessler, but they'll truly have to open up the checkbook to not just persuade him to join the Wizards, but to outbid other suitors like the Jazz for one.