Washington Wizards comprehensive off-season plan

This is the 1st in a series of 30 (yes 30) off-season previews that will break down every team in the NBA. Looking at free agency, the draft, the team's direction, and possible trades.

Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard has stated that the Wizards are looking to compete since he took the job in July 2019. They have been adding players to improve the roster currently as opposed to only the future since he took over as GM last July. John Wall is returning fully healthy, and last season Bradley Beal showed true superstar ability. This couples with the high-floor, play-right-away selection of Rui Hachimura in last year’s draft. The whole team considered, they can certainly make a push for the playoffs in a suddenly-ruthless Eastern Conference.

The team is on record as saying the biggest priorities this offseason will be adding rim protection and 3&D types. Luckily enough, this is a great free agency and draft to add those things. Both are plentiful. I will add that a veteran or two has to be a need. The Wizards only have two players (Wall and Ish Smith) that are older than 27. Even if they have a Jared Dudley/Udonis Haslem role at 0 minutes per game, this team needs leadership.

Oh, and because I have to address this: No trade of Bradley Beal is in the team’s sights. It will not happen. He will be the Wizards shooting guard on opening night. If I’m wrong, jump for joy because they must be robbing the other team blind to let Beal go.

Current Roster

The Wizards have about $5 million in practical cap space. Their players under contract are as follows:

• John Wall - $41,254,920 (signed through 2023)

• Bradley Beal - $28,751,774 (2022)

• Thomas Bryant - $8,333,333 (2022)

• Ish Smith - $6,000,000 (2021)

• Rui Hachimura - $4,692,840 (2023)

• Jerome Robinson - $3,737,520 (2022)

• Troy Brown - $3,372,840 (2022)

• Moritz Wagner - $2,161,920 (2022)

• Admiral Schofield - $1,517,981 (2022)

• Anzejs Pasecniks - $250,000 (2021)

• Isaac Bonga - $1,663,861 (2021)

Pasecniks deal is partially guaranteed, meaning they’re only obligated to that $250k and he may not be back next season. For this exercise, we will assume they don’t bring him back. They still can sign him again later if they need an extra guy. They are currently at 10 players rostered.

Davis Bertans (15.4 pts 4.5 reb 42.4% 3pt last season) is a free agent, but he has spoken openly about wanting to return to DC. The Wizards re-signing him will around $12-14 million annually, maaaybe a couple million higher than that. He would get the roster up to 11 players.

And with that, the team is out of cap space. It has a mid-level exception, a work-around that lets the team sign a player for $9.26 million even if they’re out of cap space, and a bi-annual exception worth $3.62 million. These exceptions can be used to offer players a deal up to four seasons in length. Other than these, which teams don’t use every year, the Wizards won’t be able to add any free agents.

Still, $9+ and $3+ million is nothing to sneeze at. This is a weak free agency class, and only four teams have notable cap space. Basically all of these guys help their need for veterans to some extent.

Free Agents

Nerlens Noel, Center (Oklahoma City Thunder) 26 years old

One of the best defenders out there as a big because he can protect the rim and defend well in space. He made just $2 million last year, and at age 26 is likely looking for some financial security. He has bounced around teams since being the 6th pick in the 2014 draft. He would complement Thomas Bryant wonderfully. A pretty known commodity, the Wizards could give him 2 or 3 years given his age.

Jakob Poeltl, Center (San Antonio Spurs) 24 years old

The most underrated piece of the Kawhi Leonard-DeMar DeRozan trade. Poeltl is a legit rim protector and improving every season. He’s a restricted free agent, meaning the Spurs can match any offer he signs with another team. Given the age of LaMarcus Aldridge and the fact his contract is about to expire, I’m not sure the Spurs would let Poeltl walk for 4 years, $39.8 million, which is the max the Wizards could give him. But we don’t know for sure, and he fits the Wizards timeline perfectly, so who knows?

Derrick Favors, Power Forward/Center (New Orleans Pelicans) 29 years old

One of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Entering free agency last year, he had been the second-best defender at the rim in the NBA (for the 2018-19 season). Signed a one-year deal for $18 million with New Orleans last year because of his fit next to Zion Williamson. This ended up not really working out because of Zion’s injury and Alvin Gentry’s ineptness. There is no telling what his price range is like right now, but the down market helps Washington. If a team like the Wiz gave him more years, he could certainly take the mid-level exception.

John Henson, Power Forward/Center (Detroit Pistons) 29 years old

Could possibly be signed for the minimum and ideally for the smaller bi-annual exception. One-trick pony big who just protects the rim and is large. Adequate rebounder. Short-term fix, but much more attainable than the other options for a team with limited resources like the Wizards.

Harry Giles, Power Forward (Sacramento Kings) 22 years old

Rangy athlete, and large at 6'11", his game is similar to Nerlens Noel. More gifted on the offensive end and less discipline on defense. His problem is an inability to stay healthy, hence why's a free agent just two seasons after being the 20th pick. He's averaged 25 games missed per season in his career. He would sign with probably any team that gave him multiple years of security, and if you took him slow he could grow from small minutes to a legitimate key rotation player.

Rodney Hood, Shooting Guard (Portland Trailblazers) 27 years old

Coming off of a torn achilles, he may opt in to his $5.6 million player option. If he doesn’t, he has potential to be a premier shooter at the wing for the Wizards for low commitment.

Kent Bazemore, Shooting Guard (Sacramento Kings) 31 years old

3 and D prototype. About league-average at this point in his career, but knowing exactly what he brings will add value. Professional veteran would do well for a super-young team.

Justin Holiday, Shooting Guard (Indiana Pacers) 31 years old

More gas in the tank version of Bazemore. Will have a stronger market. Career average shooter suddenly went 40.5% from deep last season. Great defender and energy.

NBA Draft

The Wizards have the 9th and 37th selections in November 18th’s draft. The draft comes before free agency. Some players they could want:

Onyeka Okongwu - Center, 6’9" 235 lb. from USC, 19.9 years

- 16.2 pts. 8.6 reb 1.1 ast 1.1 stl 2.7 blk

- 61.6% fg 25.0% 3pt 72.0% ft

Best case comp: Bam Adebayo

Worst case: Dwight Powell

A modern defending big with an endless motor. Projects to defend the rim at a top level and possesses the physical tools to be a switching nightmare for offenses on the perimeter. Fine rebounder. The comparisons courtesy of BTC’s Chuck Campbell say it all. He would complement Thomas Bryant well and his physical movement ability means it would be possible to play them at the same time in ultra-sized lineups. Far from a certainty that he falls to 9, but this draft is weak overall, so moving up is guaranteed to be doable if he’s their guy.

Devin Vassell - Small Forward, 6’7" 200 lb. from Florida State, 20.2 years

- 12.7 points 5.1 reb 1.6 ast 1.4 stl 1.0 blk

- 49.0% fg 41.5% 3pt 73.8% ft

Best case comp: Robert Covington

Worst case: Danny Green

Probably the best 3&D guy in the draft. One of the best shooters in the draft. Has a knack for getting open and moves really well off-ball. Comfortable with uncomfortable looks. Can create havoc as a team defender with his size and length. Pretty safe pick, as his two best skills translate clearly to the NBA level.

Aaron Nesmith - SG/SF, 6’6” 213 lb. from Vanderbilt, 21.0 years

- 23.0 pts 4.9 reb 0.9 ast 1.4 stl 0.9 blk

- 51.2% fg 52.2% 3pt 82.5% ft

Best case comp: Ray Allen

Worst case: Duncan Robinson

Best shooter in the draft. Yes, he really shot 52.2% from three. More 3 than D at this point. He’s big enough to learn, and if the focus is on coaching up that end instead of diversifying his offense, he could become exactly what the Wizards need.

Paul Reed - Power Forward, 6’9" 210 lb. from DePaul, 21.4 years

- 15.1 pts 10.7 reb 1.6 ast 1.9 stl 2.6 blk

- 45.6% fg 30.8% 3pt 73.8% ft

Best case comp: Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Worst case: Thaddeus Young

Play style is super-similar to an inverse Rui Hachimura. Plays like him on the floor, but is a great defender with offensive questions instead of the other way around. A natural match, right? Can block shots, move in space, and defends well outside of the paint.

Precious Achiuwa - PF/C, 6’9" 225 lb. from Memphis, 21.2 years

- 15.8 pts 10.8 reb 1.0 ast 1.1 stl 1.9 blk

- 49.3% fg 32.5% 3pt 59.9% ft

Best case comp: Montrezl Harrell

Worst case: Daniel Theis

Versatile on defense similar to Okongwu, with less there on offense. Smoother fit next to Thomas Bryant - their motors together would turn the Wizards frontcourt into a Metallica concert - but he is not near the player Okongwu is. Still, if he’s your guy he’s a fine selection at 9.

Tyrese Haliburton - Point Guard, 6’5” 175 lb. from Iowa State, 20.7 years

- 15.2 pts 5.9 reb 6.5 ast 2.5 stl 0.7 blk

- 50.4% fg 41.9% 3pt 82.2% ft

Best case comp: Chris Paul

Worst case: Ricky Rubio

Chuck called him the safest pick in the draft. He has him higher than LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes. A pest defender and really good shooter, he has ridiculous basketball IQ as well. This could let him play off-ball and learn alongside the Wizards’ ball-dominant star duo. There is no young point guard on the roster; the two oldest Wizards by 3 and 5 years are their two point guards. Ish and Wall would be dream mentors. More and more three-guard lineups are common. Fits beautifully with Troy Brown, Jr. for a terrifying bench backcourt into the future.

Summary Plan

My dream outcome for the Wizards offseason? Put Admiral Schofield on the G-League affiliate Capital City Go-Go (worst pro name in sports?) to open up an extra roster spot. This puts the Wizards on 10 active roster players. Sign Nerlens Noel with the mid-level exception to a 3 year deal, and draft Tyrese Haliburton or Devin Vassell.

If the draft breaks you Okongwu instead, sign Justin Holiday for two years. Try and use pick 37 + to move up around 20 for one of a couple names: Saddiq Bey (Villanova, comparison: Joe Ingles), Desmond Bane (TCU, Gary Trent, Jr.), Jordan Nwora (Louisville, Kyle Kuzma), Malachi Flynn (San Diego State, Fred VanVleet).

Rotation heading into 2020-21:

PG: John Wall/Ish Smith/Troy Brown, Jr.

SG: Bradley Beal/Troy Brown, Jr./Jerome Robinson

SF: Rui Hachimura/Devin Vassell/Isaac Bonga/Jerome Robinson

PF: Davis Bertans/Nerlens Noel/Rui Hachimura

C: Thomas Bryant/Nerlens Noel/Moe Wagner

Seven out of eight Eastern Conference playoff teams should return next season: Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Miami, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Indiana. That eighth spot is up for grabs with the Bulls, Hawks, and Magic. The Wizards should be the favorites right now. This offseason means a lot for them.

Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images