The Washington Wizards continue to be active this offseason as the team's roster construction unfolds.
Washington's general manager Will Dawkins has stayed to course on the route he feels best for the team's future and as he continues to make moves, his plans are becoming overwhelmingly clear.
To start the offseason, the Wizards went out and made a blockbuster trade to acquire CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and draft compensation.
After landing McCollum, the Wizards roster was filled with adequate veterans like Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton and Richaun Holmes.
Not to mention the additions of Cam Whitmore, Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, all whom Washington acquired through seperate moves over the last few weeks following the NBA Draft.
It seemed like the Wizards could be gearing up for a potential run at a play-in spot this coming season with the roster on the talent and the newfound depth at the hands of head coach Brian Keefe.
However, after a flurry of moves to get the team's growing roster back down to size, the team's future plans become even more clear after the buyouts of Marcus Smart and Blake Wesley saved the team $8 million.
Wizards plan to be a trade facilitator
Washington has shown early signs of following the foundation that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sam Presti laid down throughout the franchises quick turnaround over the years.
OKC became a willing team to help facilitate trades courtesy of their cap space and focus on acquiring draft compensation and young talent.
The Thunder also managed to find benefits of allowing veterans to play in limited stretches to show they had plenty left in the tank all before flipping them for additional assets; just look at Al Horford.
Washington is to the point of their rebuild where the young players are coming in waves and while they haven't exactly gotten the opportunity to capitalize on landing a veteran to flip yet, they still have the potential to do so with names like McCollum and Middleton.
Regardless, it's obvious that the Wizards are a team that contenders and potential playoff bound teams will turn to in hopes of facilitating a trade, especially after the new CBA guidelines added an extra level of difficulty to move players.
The Wizards rebuild is far from over, but the light at the end of the tunnel is slowly but surely inching closer.