The Washington Wizards are in position to have a major roster upgrade this coming offseason in more ways than one.
Not only does the team have multiple positions of need heading into the NBA Draft, but they also have plenty of decisions to make in regards to current players on the roster, who's future in Washington may be shortlived.
Of the names that have uncertainty around their future in D.C. is veterans Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart and Richaun Holmes. And if the Wizards hope to be able to cash in on their offseason in the best possible way, they'll need to find a way to offload these players ahead of draft night.
If Washington can find a way to come to a resolution on these player's future, they could be able to put themselves in a spot where they can trade them to playoff teams, or any team with a need that these players can fill. And you may be wondering, why the rush? Draft capital.
The Wizards already have plenty of draft picks (5 to be exact), and the more picks they have, the better they can set themselves up for not only this offseason, but their future rebuild.
That said, here's a look at the positions of need that the Wizards have heading into the offseason:
1) Best Player Available (Cooper Flagg)
The Wizards and every team in the NBA entered this season hoping that they could somehow find a way to land Duke star Cooper Flagg, and yes that includes contending teams who share the same dream to find a way to acquire the star.
Flagg's decision to declare for the NBA Draft or stay in college still remains up in the air, but if he does declare, the Wizards need to do everything they can to secure him as their future building block (if they can convince him to play for them).
Not only is Flagg versatile enough to play multiple positions of need for the Wizards, but he would immediately make them an attractive destination for other stars and/or young players looking to make a move in the near future.
2) PF (Depending where the Wizards see Sarr's best fit)
Alex Sarr is currently listed as the team's starting center, but at times this season, he's shown more flashes playing alongside another big while being able to float around the perimeter. Dependig where the Wizards envision their young player thriving the most, they could look to add another front court option alongside him that could relieve the stress for him in the lineup.
3) SF
The Wizards have multiple wing options in regards to Bilal Coulibaly due to his size, Kyshawn George who has potential, and Corey Kispert who is more of a sixth man. However, Washington doens't exactly have a forward that they can truly rely on yet and in today's game, this position continues to be even more important.
Looking at team's like the Boston Celtics who have two star wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to the Minnesota Timberwolves who have an underrated forward themselves in Jaden McDaniels, having a reliable wing can do so much for a team.
Washington needs to find one.