With the Wizards in third place in the Eastern Conference, All-Star guard John Wall expects the team to make a move this week to help fortify the roster and make a postseason push. Wall told J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com in New Orleans that he thinks GM Ernie Grunfeld will be active this week.
“I think so,” Wall said, when asked if he expects the Wizards to make a trade. “We’re looking at some options to help our bench out. Other than that I don’t know. I haven’t talked to [Grunfeld] about it.”
As I noted last week when I examined the trade deadline outlook for the Southeast teams, the Wizards are in a good position to be buyers, but aren’t likely to make a huge splash. The team doesn’t possess a ton of assets that are both valuable and expendable, and likely wouldn’t want to risk upsetting team chemistry by trading rotation players.
A deal similar to last year’s acquisition of Markieff Morris for a first-round pick seems realistic, however. Washington controls all of its future first-round picks, and its 2017 selection is currently projected to be fall in the mid-20s, per our 2016/17 Reverse Standings, so the Wizards are unlikely to miss out on a marquee player if they decide to move that pick.
Although the Wizards’ bench has been fairly solid defensively, it’s one of the least effective units in the NBA on offense. Only Minnesota’s bench (22.1 PPG) has scored fewer points per game than Washington’s (23.4), and no Wizards second-stringer has averaged more than 6.6 PPG (Marcus Thornton). As such, Grunfeld figures to be on the lookout for a player who could add some scoring punch to that second unit.
Bojan Bogdonavic, Lou Williams, Brandon Knight, Doug McDermott, and Nick Young are all names I wouldn’t be surprised the Wizards look at. Wizards will probably part with a pick for a guy who can score and shoot off the bench. P.J. Tucker is another guy who I think would really fit the Wizards.
Collison may also be available now that Sacramento is in full rebuild mode.
Collison is who they need.
Might be able to get him for Trey Burkes big upside.. Divac likes mid-20s guys to develop.
they won’t go after nick young. There is mutual hate between he and the organization so there’s not a chance that happens in the slightest
Take McDermitt please!
I change my mind. I no think Wizards make trade anymore!!! Horray for the tacos the GM ate on Taco Thursday.