How This Trade Impacts Washington Wiards

The Washington Wizards could be regretting the five-year, $80 million deal they signed Davis Bertans to during the 2020 offseason. He has seen his production drop off a bit since then and his role with the team has shrunk even more with the additions they made this offseason.

As a result, they could look to move on from him. In this deal with the Phoenix Suns, they move off of Bertans contract and it only costs them two future second-round picks. For Washington, that is likely a win.

They are also receiving two players in return in Dario Saric and Jalen Smith. Saric will likely miss this season, but when healthy, has proven to be a solid combo big in a rotation. He can play a little bit of defense and stretch the floor some as well. Saric can be someone the Wizards look to add to their rotation next season or look to trade, as he will be on an expiring deal.

Smith is the player the Wizards would be most intrigued by. They are off to a good start this season, but they should still have a focus on developing some of the younger players on the roster.

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With Daniel Gafford injured and Thomas Bryant still rehabbing from his ACL injury, the Wizards could find some minutes for Smith in the early going. He needs some playing time to continue his development and he isn’t consistently getting it in Phoenix, but could find it in Washington.

Smith had his third-year option declined by the Suns, so he would assuredly like to land with a team that would give him a chance to showcase his talent so that he can land a contract this upcoming offseason.