Kristaps Porzingis – Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal is out for the year for the Wizards, likely resulting in them missing the playoffs. They are just a game behind the Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings, but the Wizards are still searching for that one extra talent to elevate them into being a threat in the Eastern Conference. 

Maybe Kyle Kuzma can be this kind of player moving forward, but the main focal point for the Wizards the rest of this season has to be Kristaps Porzingis and the former All-Star big man really needs to take advantage of his opportunity without Beal on the floor. 

At the trade deadline, the Wizards pulled off a big move to acquire Porzingis from the Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. 

Taking a chance on Kristaps Porzingis is a big risk for this franchise, but is also a risk that could turn into a massive reward if Porzingis can actually stay healthy for once. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Key Injury Updates That Could Impact NBA Title Race

Not only does the rest of the season provide an opportunity for Kristaps Porzingis to prove he is healthy, but he has the chance to prove that he can still be an effective leading scorer on the floor for his team. 

Prior to being traded this season, Porzingis was averaging a respectable 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and had shot 45.1% from the floor, but he had only played in 34 games for the Mavericks. 

As much as the Wizards need production from Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian big man really needs to play well in order to ensure his spot in this league moving forward. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Key Injury Updates That Could Impact NBA Title Race

The Wizards big man only has two more years left on his contract, a player option for the 2023-24 season, meaning that the rest of this season and the 2022-23 season will be very telling about if he will remain in this league. 

Kristaps Porzingis must take advantage of the opportunity to lead the Wizards the rest of the season and it would be a big boost to this franchise if he could help lead them to the play-in tournament.