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NBA Power Rankings: Impact of the 2015 Trade Deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (right) talks to Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (left) on the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Cavaliers won 127-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (right) talks to Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (left) on the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Cavaliers won 127-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Washington Wizards

Previous: No. 9

Record: 33-24

Last Week: 0-2

Key Acquisition: Ramon Sessions, PG

The Washington Wizards entered the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline facing a harsh reality: when John Wall wasn’t creating offense, no one was. They may not have landed a star to address that need, but they made a good move.

Washington improved athletically by transitioning from Andre Miller to Ramon Sessions at backup point guard.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Washington has a net rating of plus-5.5 when Wall is on the floor. When he heads to the bench, that number drops to a stunning minus-10.5.

A difference of 10.5 points per 100 possessions is disturbing.

Sessions isn’t a star-caliber facilitator or an elite-level scorer, but he’s a solid player with a good feel for the game. He can exploit opposing defenses in transition and is reasonably versatile as a perimeter defender.

With the likes of Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, Nene Hilario and Paul Pierce, the Wizards have the firepower to develop consistency.

Unfortunately, Washington is 2-9 in its past 11 games.

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