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Washington Wizards Free Agent Targets

By Colby Giacubeno

May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman (center) talks with guard John Wall (2) and forward Paul Pierce (34) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman (center) talks with guard John Wall (2) and forward Paul Pierce (34) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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For most NBA fans, free agency is the most exciting time of the year. Seeing franchise and role players signing with new teams gives a thrill whether it is for your team or not.

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The Wizards have done a good job the past years taking advantage of solid free agents. They acquired Marcin Gortat via trade with the Phoenix Suns, but were able to keep him once he entered the market as a free agent. The Wizards also went out and signed Paul Piece this last offseason after the majority of the NBA teams felt as if he was done.

Both players were key ingredients in the Wizards’ success they had this season.

In this year’s draft, the Wizards will most likely take care of their weaknesses at the power forward position, so they need to use free agency to provide a solid backup for shooting guard behind Bradley Beal. Addressing three-point shooting will be one of the top priorities for head coach Randy Wittman and GM Ernie Grunfeld.

As the offseason officially begins, the Wizards will have about $11 million in cap space, not taking into thought the draft picks’ contracts. This leaves the Wizards with the ability to sign a solid player, but not for the top shooting guards that are available, such as Jimmy Butler and Wesley Matthews.

Here are unrestricted shooting guards the Wizards should target:

Marco Belinelli, San Antonio Spurs

Belinelli is a realistic signing the Wizards could pursue come July 1. Averaging 9.2 points and 2.5 rebounds for the Spurs this season while shooting 37 percent from three wasn’t the best year for Belinelli, but it could mean for the Wizards that they could get him on the cheaper side.

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Although 37 percent doesn’t jump out at you as being a deadly shooter, Belinelli has proven that he is one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA. During the 2013-14 season when the Spurs won the NBA Title, he shot 43 percent. The 29-year old from Italy also  hit a number of big shots for the Spurs in their past postseason runs.

Behind Beal, Belinelli could be the long-range sniper that the Wizards need.

Anthony Morrow, Oklahoma City Thunder

Anthony Morrow would be a perfect fit for what the Wizards are looking for. Playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Morrow was a spark off the bench averaging 10.7 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 43.4 percent from three. Morrow has had an up and down career in the league due to injuries, but has shown his worth the in the last two seasons.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Compared to Belinelli, Morrow is more versatile offensively in the sense that he can also take his defender to the basket off the dribble. Morrow’s athleticism also makes him able to be a solid defender. Signing Morrow would be tremendous for the Wizards to provide them with three-point shooting and athleticism off the bench.

Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs

Even though Green went through a major shooting slump at the end of the season, he still posted impressive numbers for a role player. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 42 percent from deep.

Mar 15, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) dunks the ball past Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 123-97. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) dunks the ball past Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 123-97. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting in 2011-12, Green made a name for himself and built a reputation of being a great three-point shooter as he was a consistent player head coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs.

The reason why he is third on this list is because teams around the NBA will probably offer him a more attractive offer than the Wizards could. If there was some way the Wizards could get Green, it would be interesting seeing how he would be coming off the bench after starting for the past three seasons.

If the Wizards are able to land any of these three players, they would be filling a huge hole at backup shooting guard and the absence of three-point shooting, along with addressing the power forward position in the draft.

Next: The 30 Best Centers of All-Time

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