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Washington Wizards: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards
Mar 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) prepares to shoot as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Mahinmi Makin’ Money

Re-signing Beal to a huge contract was expected, which makes the Wizards’ unexpected signing of Ian Mahinmi their de factor marquee move of the summer. With a four-year, $64 million deal, Mahinmi will strengthen Washington’s middling defense and aging frontcourt.

Though Mahinmi is 29 years old himself, he’s coming off something of a career season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the floor. He also helped ground the NBA’s third-best defense as its starting center, negating the expected drop-off with Roy Hibbert gone.

According to CSN Mid-Atlantic, Marcin Gortat will remain the starter over Mahinmi for 2016-17, but it’s only a matter of time before the 32-year-old Polish Hammer cedes the lion’s share of minutes at center to Mahinmi and his $16 million annual salary.

Last season, Gortat averaged 13.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for the Wizards, shooting 56.7 percent from the floor and operating as a viable pick-and-roll partner with John Wall. As his athleticism continues to diminish, however, the opening will be there for Mahinmi to assert himself as the eventual starter.

The fit is less than ideal, since Mahinmi and Gortat can’t play in the frontcourt together. But as inflated as his deal may look now, Mahinmi is a defensive-minded center who really showed what he can do as a starter last year.

If need be, Washington can always sort this situation out by dealing Gortat at the trade deadline and addressing other areas of need in the exchange. For now, they just have a slightly overpaid backup who can play late-game minutes when the team needs stops.

Grade: B-

Next: Nabbing Nicholson

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