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3 Ways Brandon Jennings Will Improve Wizards’ Bench

By Jerran Anderson

Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) reacts after defeating the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) reacts after defeating the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) dribbles the ball past Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Knicks defeated the Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) dribbles the ball past Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Knicks defeated the Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jennings will allow John Wall to close out games

The acquisition of Brandon Jennings will give the Washington Wizards a quality backup point guard to spell point guard John Wall. Wall is averaging 36.7 minutes per game, but only 7.6 minutes in the fourth quarter.

Compare that to point guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, who is averaging 10.5 minutes per game in the final period, and the issue is quite clear. The Wizards need Wall on the court to finish games. With Jennings in the fold, it allows Wall to get proper rest.

Jennings was averaging 24.6 minutes per game for the New York Knicks this season. Wall’s former backup, Trey Burke, was averaging 12.4 minutes through 53 games. Burke wasn’t with the Wizards in their last game, as he didn’t travel with the team for personal reasons.

With a veteran like Jennings, the bench could become a lot more reliable in his hands. He also gives the Wizards another guard to distribute the ball next to Wall if Bradley Beal gets in early foul trouble.

The move also allows rookie Tomas Satoransky to play his natural position at the off-guard position.

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