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Wizards Should Pursue Goran Dragic Or Isaiah Thomas

By Mark Vandeusen

Mar 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) looks to pass as Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) looks to pass as Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Wizards are 33-21 at the All-Star break, half a game in front of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Not long ago the Wizards were sitting pretty in the conference’s No. 2 position, but a 4-8 record in their last 12 games has them searching for answers.  ESPN’s Marc Stein rated Washington No. 15 overall in the latest edition of his NBA power rankings, only two spots ahead of the 20-31 Boston Celtics.  Stein writes:

"The Wiz want to be patient and flexible for the future but also want to contend right now in an open East. Do they have enough for the latter without making some sort of low-risk move at the deadline or in the buyout market? That’s what they’re wrestling with now."

There is a window of opportunity in the Eastern Conference this year and the Wizards would be foolish not to jump on it.  If they’re going to put themselves in contention for a conference title, they need help.  The Phoenix Suns may have the answer.

Recent reports suggest that Phoenix guards Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas could both be on the trading block.  At the very least, one of them certainly is:

Regardless of which backcourt player Phoenix is interested in dealing, either would be a good fit for the Wizards.  Both are capable scorers who can play point guard or shooting guard, which is exactly what Washington is looking for.

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After John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards only have two other guards on their roster–journeyman Garrett Temple and 38-year-old Andre Miller.  Neither is a particularly appealing option off the bench.  Beal’s recent injury has forced both Temple and Miller to take on a lot more minutes than Washington would like.

The need for a reliable third guard (or a replacement for Beal should he miss extended time) is obvious.

Dragic is getting paid $7.5 million this season with a player option for next year at the same amount.  But he’s certain to make more than that on the open market, so essentially he’s a free agent.  Thomas’ 2014-15 salary is $7.2 million, however he still has three more years and roughly $20 million remaining on his contract.

To trade for either player, Washington must send Phoenix about $7 million in salary in return.  Financially the Wizards could get it done by offering Miller’s expiring $4.7 million deal along with DeJuan Blair‘s $2 million per year contract (which still has two more seasons remaining).

Clearly that’s not what Phoenix is interested in, so Washington would have to include at least a future first round draft pick as well, maybe more.

Is that something the Suns might be inclined to go for?  Who knows, but the Wizards absolutely need to find out.

Next: What are the Wizards' realistic chances of signing Ray Allen?

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