The Washington Wizards didn’t have that quiet of an offseason. Here’s a look at their offseason grade entering the 2017-18 season.
The Washington Wizards had quite the busy offseason in their attempt to tie up some loose ends. They had a deep run in the 2017 NBA Playoffs before it ended in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics.
Despite the loss in the playoffs, the Wizards walked away from the 2016-17 season with tons of optimism. Their offseason moves answered some issues such as bench depth and a solid backup point guard to John Wall.
They didn’t capitalize on the talented field of players in the 2017 NBA Draft, but that’s okay. They still hope their signings have a positive impact on the organization.
It also helps the Washington Wizards have acquired a team in the NBA’s G League in order to develop the talent they do have. They made some key signings on the two-way contract market in forwards Mike Young and Devin Robinson.
Robinson played a pivotal role in the Florida Gators’ run in the NCAA Tournament this past March. He averaged 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point land.
Young averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the ACC last season. Both players serve as future prospects for the Wizards on the wing.
Here’s a look at the Wizards’ entire offseason with grades for every individual move the team made.
Wizards trade 52nd pick to the Pelicans for Tim Frazier
The Washington Wizards didn’t feel like taking a risk in the 2017 NBA Draft. At least, that’s the theory in hindsight after the Wizards traded their only pick in the draft for a proven backup point guard.
Tim Frazier, product of Penn State, is entering his fourth season in the NBA and he’s become tasked with leading the second unit, primarily when John Wall is out the game. Frazier isn’t a bad pickup, as he averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
He appeared in 65 total games, starting in 35 of those contests. In 35 starts, Frazier averaged 8.9 points, 6.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 2016-17. He’s shown to not only be a reliable scorer but also a facilitator, whether in a starting or reserve role.
It bodes well for a team lacking in the assists department. Outside of Wall, Washington lacked a pass-first guard on their roster prior to trading for Frazier. The 52nd pick may or may not have gotten them a quality backup point guard, but a trade for one definitely solves the issue.
Grade: B+
Jodie Meeks signs a two-year deal
Shooting guard Jodie Meeks has found a new home with the Washington Wizards after signing a two-year deal worth roughly $6.7 million. The second year has a player option on it. The Wizards are the sixth team Meeks has played for since joining the NBA in 2009.
Meeks was a member of the Orlando Magic last season. He averaged 9.1 points 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 36 appearances for the Magic. The former Kentucky product missed most of last season with a thumb injury.
Injuries have plagued Meeks his whole career. He’s yet to play a full season of games, but he hopes all that changes with the Wizards and head coach Scott Brooks.
Washington is in desperate need of a perimeter shooter to complement what Bradley Beal can do on the floor. Meeks shot 40.9 percent from 3-point range in 2016-17. For his career, he’s shooting 37.6 percent from 3-point land.
If Meeks can stay healthy and productive, the Wizards may have found their potential sixth man. Meeks has shown he’s capable of scoring at volume but in Washington’s system, he’ll need to find his role in a hurry and do it with consistency.
One thing the Wizards lacked in 2016-17 was a reliable bench that could hold onto leads without Beal and Wall in the game. The signings of Meeks and Frazier so far address that issue.
Grade: B
Mike Scott signs a one-year deal
Mike Scott was once a reliable player in the Atlanta Hawks‘ rotation, but he seems to have fallen out of the lineup in the past few seasons. After playing just 10.8 minutes per game, Scott has found a new home with the Washington Wizards. He signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum ($1.7 million).
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Scott averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in just 18 appearances for the Hawks in the 2016-17. For comparison’s sake, he appeared in 75 games in 2015-16. He is a career 33.6 percent shooter from the 3-point line as he enters his sixth season in the league.
The Hawks have taken the team another direction this offseason with the departure of Paul Millsap. Scott was once a serviceable big that could play either forward position.
He fits nicely with what the Wizards do in that he can space the floor for open shots and run the floor in transition for easy dunks and layups. If there’s one thing they lacked off the bench, it was an energy guy. Mike Scott is that guy.
The Wizards’ bench was a mess up until the All-Star Break last season. At least for now, they’ve got competent players they can offer a spot in the rotation to.
Grade: B
Re-signing Otto Porter Jr.
The offseason was a huge payday for restricted free agent forward Otto Porter Jr. Porter was offered four-year max deals with both the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings before ultimately deciding to sign back with the Wizards.
The team let go of Bojan Bogdanovic, who wound up signing with the Indiana Pacers, to free up additional cap space for Porter. His deal is for four years, worth roughly $106.5 million. His fourth year has a player option on the deal, which also comes with a 15 percent trade kicker.
Washington would have been foolish not to re-sign Porter. He put up career numbers in his fourth season in the NBA, averaging 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.6 minutes per game.
Although he’s the Wizards’ third scoring option, Porter was a reliable 3-point shooter, at least in the regular season. He finished the regular season shooting 43.4 percent from 3-point range, ranking fourth overall in the NBA.
The playoffs were a different story, however, as Porter shot 28.2 percent from 3-point range. He still averaged 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Entering the 2017-18 season, volume will be the name of the game for Porter. Although he shot over 40 percent from three, he only averaged 4.3 3-point attempts per game. If he can get that number to 6-7 attempts, it will give the Wizards’ offense the boost it desperately needs.
Grade: A
John Wall signs a $70 million extension
Things keep getting better and better for point guard John Wall. As the unsung leader of the Washington Wizards, Wall had a big year in 2016-17.
He averaged a career-high 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game last season. As a result of his stellar production, Wall was selected as a member of the All-NBA Third Team, making him eligible for Designated Veteran Player Extension (a bigger payday).
Wall went on to sign a four-year, $70 million deal that will kick in to start the 2019-20 season. The final year of the deal comes with a player option for the 2022-23 season and a 15 percent trade kicker.
Locking down Wall long-term has always been in the Washington Wizards’ plans and they wasted no time in doing so. Now, Wall remains the only player from the 2010 draft class that is still with his original team.
It speaks volumes to the strides Wall has made in becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA. Had he not signed an extension, he would have become a free agent after the 2018-19 season. The Wizards are in good financial shape for now, but next year’s offseason could be even more critical to their improvement.
Donald Sloan signs a one-year deal
The Washington Wizards made one last-minute signing in the free agent market, picking up a former point guard in Donald Sloan. Sloan signed a one-year deal on a $1.7 million veteran’s minimum contract.
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Sloan spent the 2016-17 season in China, where he played for Guangdong Southern. He averaged 23.6 points, 6.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in 49 appearances for Guangdong, starting in 48 of those contests. He shot 46.4 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from three.
Before playing in the Chinese Basketball Assocation, Sloan spent most of his time with the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. He last appeared with the Nets in the 2015-16 season where he appeared in 61 games, making 33 starts.
The signing comes as a surprise to many but his addition to the Washington Wizards roster gives them another ball-handler to work with on offense. The Wizards acquired point guard Brandon Jennings late last season, but now he’s gone overseas.
Sloan fills a need and also challenges point guard Tim Frazier for playing time. He’s developed overseas and is ready to show what he can do now. This is probably one of the more underrrated signings for Washington this offseason.
Grade: B+
Overall
When looking at the Washington Wizards’ offseason moves as a whole, the first word that comes to mind is “safe.” The Wizards played it safe this offseason with their moves, signing veteran guys rather than taking a gamble on younger players.
Meeks is 30, Scott is 29 and Frazier is 26. While other teams signed the higher valued veterans, the Wizards signed some veterans still looking to establish their roles in the NBA.
The deals in place also leave the door open for both sides to mutually part ways should things not work out. Meeks has a player option for the 2018-19 season. Scott is on a one-year deal and Frazier will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Outside of new additions, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jason Smith, Sheldon McClellan and Chris McCullough all have the potential to be free agents next season. Oubre Jr. and McCullough both have team options that can be exercised.
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Overall, the Washington Wizards’ offseason could be considered a relative success. They filled their bench with quality players who have the potential to contribute. They didn’t take any risks, but next offseason they may have no choice if they want to keep up their level of competition.
Final Grade: B