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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
Nov 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates with Wizards guard John Wall (2) after making the game-winning basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the final second of the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall

When it quickly became apparent that Kevin Durant wasn’t even considering his hometown Wizards, Washington quickly pivoted, preparing for free agency with a massive extension for Bradley Beal, a surprising offer to Ian Mahinmi and a few other minor moves to round out the bench.

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Nothing the Wizards could’ve done this summer — and nothing they actually did this summer — was going to change the fact that this team’s success still relies on its star backcourt getting its s**t together after an off year. This goal, of course, includes staying healthy this time.

That being said, Washington did a decent enough job rounding out the edges. Mahinmi will be a terrific backup until he takes over the starting job, and at that point, the Wizards should be an improved defensive team.

Mahinmi makes Gortat expendable in a future trade, and that kind of move could help address the Wizards’ other problem areas as they try to build a contender around Wall and Beal.

Andrew Nicholson is a nice, young addition, even though his contract is a bit long for a mostly unproven player. Satoransky and Burke should be fun together in the backcourt, assuming they earn their respective spots in the rotation.

More hoops habit: Miami Heat: 2016 Offseason Grades

The Wizards are a more complete team this upcoming season, but at the end of the day, their future — both for the short-term and the long-term — likely rests on Bradley Beal’s ability to stay on the court and start getting along with John Wall. After giving him that hefty raise, this summer could look like a genius offseason or a disastrous one down the road.

Grade: C+

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