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washington wizards: state of the franchise

State of the Franchise

Current Cap Space (before luxury tax): $8.7 million

Background: Star PG John Wall was selected first overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 draft, which also featured UK teammate, superstar C DeMarcus Cousins. Then in 2012, the Wizards selected SG Bradley Beal out of Florida, in a draft which also featured another Kentucky product, superstar PF/C Anthony Davis. Wall and Beal form a dynamic duo and are the future in Washington, but that doesn't mean that the Wizards aren't competitive right now. Despite losing SF Trevor Ariza in free agency last year to the Houston Rockets, he was replaced by veteran SF Paul Pierce in an offseason where Polish player C Marcin Gortat was re-signed. Though Gortat, Pierce, and other key players' ages don't really align with those of Wall and Beal, the Wizards can still be competitive right now, and also in the future when their duo improves. Speaking of the future, the Wizards are expected to go all-in for superstar SF/PF Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason in an effort to bring him back to his hometown in the nation's capital. The rest of the league can only shiver with fear at the mere thought of Wall, Beal, and Durant playing together on the same team.

Current Financial State: This is where things aren't so hot for the Wizards. Though Washington does have a few outright steals, such as Pierce's 2 year/$11 million deal, Wall's 5 year/$80 million extension, and Beal still on the always-cheap rookie contract, the Wizards have some pretty ugly contracts in their frontcourt. For starters (no pun intended), PF Nene Hilario is nothing more than a role player, though he is due for a 2 year/$26 million contract, but that deal expiries in time for 2016. Gortat's most recent contract probably represents the biggest issue on this team, as he was signed for a 5 year/$60 million deal. $12 million annually is by no means an overpayment for the "Polish Hammer", but 5 years is much too long for someone who is turning 31 momentarily. He may be worth $12 million this year and next, but what about the year after that? And the year after that? And the year after that? In addition, the contract has increasing cap hits, starting at $10.4 million this year and ending at $13.6 million in 2019, so by the time 2016 rolls around, having Gortat’s deal on the books could be a major turn-off when trying to lure "KD" back home. However, Washington could have up to $50 million in available cap space that offseason, as Wall and Gortat are the only contracts through that season. Next season, however, they will likely have less than $10 million to spend, as they have $68 million already committed. Despite some pretty bad contracts, Washington does have some good ones to balance them, and they will also have enough cap space to build a title contender in the stacked 2016 free agency.  

Targets: The Wizards, currently at well above .500 and fourth in the weak Eastern Conference, could still use another piece to push them over the top, as more success now equates to a better pitch to Durant come 2016. With Pierce aging fast and Nene being probably the weakest player in the starting 5,  Washington will likely look to target a player on the right side of 30 who can shift between either of the forward spots, while having a contract that expires before 2016. Check, check and check for SF/PF Wilson Chandler, who the Denver Nuggets have been reportedly shopping in exchange for prospects and draft picks to rebuild around. The Wizards can certainly offer this, as second-year SF Otto Porter Jr has been waiting in the wings for quite some time, first playing behind Ariza and now Pierce as well as SF/SG Martell Webster, never really getting a chance to shine. That would not be the case in Denver, where the Nuggets are shopping their veterans in an effort to hand over the reins of the franchise to the younger guys. To make the finances of the deal work, Washington must also add the cheap expiring contract of role player PF Drew Gooden, as well as probably a second-round pick to get Denver to pull the trigger. Turning towards this upcoming free agency, the Wizards have just about no key players coming off the books. The only even remotely impact player who is a free agent this year for the Wizards is backup PG Andre Miller, who's a serviceable backup point guard, especially when John Wall is your starter. However, if the Wizards want to take the next step, they will need to sign a better backup for Wall. Veteran PG Jameer Nelson, oddly also on the Nuggets right now, certainly fits the bill. Trying to add him into the Wilson Chandler trade, however, would not make sense, as the Wizards can simply sign him in free agency this year instead of actually giving something up for him, among other reasons. The Nuggets will likely have little to no interest in bringing back the 33 year old, because as mentioned above, they are rebuilding around their younger players. Because of the likely lack of desire to keep him around, Nelson will probably decline his $3.25 million player option next season with the Nuggets. Though his best years are behind him, Nelson has to be considered one of the best backup floor generals in the whole league. Washington will only sign him for one year in order to maximize cap space for 2016, and he is due for a contract in the $4 million range. By adding Chandler and Nelson, the Wizards could really push themselves over the top.

The Fit: PG Jameer Nelson would be an instant upgrade over PG Andre Miller backing up Wall, though it may be tough for the Wizards to hand Nelson the minutes he deserves. After all, Nelson is averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 assists, 1.5 threes, and one steal in 23 minutes per game, hardly numbers that scream backup, especially to a star like John Wall. However, Nelson could provide value along with Paul Pierce as just a veteran leader who’s also a proven winner, and could even become a sort of coach for Wall and Beal. Either way, Nelson is always there to run the second unit and can step up as a starting point guard any time should Wall go down with an injury. SF/PF Wilson Chandler, on the other hand, would instantly have a starting spot carved out for him. At just 27 years old and in the prime of his career, Chandler is easily capable of handling a large amount of minutes, which is more than either Pierce or Nene can say. In terms of the starting lineup, Chandler would probably start at power forward, something he is capable of doing at 6’8”, which would send Nene to the bench. However, Nene would probably come in as a sixth man, while Chandler can shift nicely back to his more natural position at small forward, kicking Pierce off the court. Along with Wall and Beal, Chandler would become one of the main scoring options along with Wall and Beal, averaging 14 ppg this year, which would be good for third-highest on the team. Chandler is also chipping in 6 rebounds and 2 threes a game, quality numbers for a guy getting paid $7 million annually over the next two years, especially with a nice team option on year two. Chandler addresses a need for Washington, and could come in and make an immediate impact for a relatively low asking price, given the Nuggets' seemingly strong desire to rid themselves of veteran pieces. Chandler could be the piece to really push the Wizards to one of the East's elite teams, and could bring the exact kind of success they need to lure Durant back home in 2016.
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