Washington Wizards: 5 obstacles to contending in 2017-18

3. Consistent support from role players

The Washington Wizards will need consistent support from their role players (those are players not named John Wall and Bradley Beal) if they want to seriously contend in the Eastern Conference.

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Otto Porter Jr. had a solid regular season, but in the playoffs, his numbers fell off a little bit. The Wizards are sure to make the NBA Playoffs again this season and the key for Porter going in is making open shots to relieve Bradley Beal and John Wall.

Center Ian Mahinmi should earn that four-year, $64 million deal he signed back in the summer of 2016. He appeared in 31 games for Washington in 2016-17. He says in the the best shape of his life as the 2017-18 season approaches. Mahinmi changed up his diet a bit this offseason and he hopes it will rejuvenate him in his second season with the Wizards.

Center Marcin Gortat is another guy they’ll have to focus on keeping involved in games. Gortat shot 8.2 shots per game in 2016-17, his lowest so far with the team, despite averaging 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Gortat will look to find his niche in the paint for Washington and hopefully see an uptick in his production as a result.

Wall and Beal should look to the trio a whole lot more this season out of pick-and-roll scenarios.