Grading the Washington Wizards’ Return

Bringing in Spencer Dinwiddie did not work out for the Washington Wizards the way they had hoped for this season and with Davis Bertans really struggling, making a move to bring in Kristaps Porzingis and take a chance on him long-term is a move I actually really like. 

The Wizards use a lot of offensive sets in which their frontcourt players find their way out on the perimeter, particular in pick-and-roll situations with Bradley Beal as the primary ball-handler. In Dallas, Porzingis has made a living being a pick-and-pop big man as a result of his career 35.3% three-point percentage. 

Washington will undoubtedly look to use him more in the low-post and the paint, but having the ability to stretch the floor next to Beal is something that makes acquiring Porzingis advantageous to the Wizards moving forward. 

In the long-run, they will be paying Kristaps Porzingis $101.5 million over the next three seasons instead of owing a total of close to $120M to Dinwiddie and Bertans, plus the Wizards now open the door for another big move in the offseason. 

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They may be committed to a lot of money on the books, but the Washington Wizards now have a No. 1 All-Star in Bradley Beal and a really solid big man to compliment him in Kristaps Porzingis. 

Going out and trading for a third big-time player is definitely a possibility for the Washington Wizards this offseason and Jerami Grant is likely the one name on their minds given that they could acquire him from Detroit closer to the 2022 NBA Draft. 

This is not the best move Washington could have made at the deadline, but they definitely set themselves up for a chance at finding success heading into next season. 

GRADE: B-