NBA trade grades: Clippers dealing Austin Rivers to Wizards for Marcin Gortat

Washington Wizards

Much like Boban Marjanovic fans, Tomas Satoransky supporters are probably grinding their teeth at the arrival of a backup guard that will likely steal his minutes away, especially after having to watch Ty Lawson get playoff minutes over him in the team’s most recent postseason run.

However, as much as Satoransky’s lack of playing time is puzzling, this deal is a good one overall for Washington. No offense to Lawson or Tim Frazier, but backcourt depth as been an issue for the Wizards for years, particularly at the 1-spot.

Washington actually ranked 16th in bench scoring last year, but was a dismal 22nd in plus/minus. Coming off a career year in L.A., Rivers can hopefully help the team’s second unit improve in both categories, and since he’s a combo guard, he could potentially play alongside Satoransky as well.

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Furthermore, the trade saves the Wizards $1.4 million towards the luxury tax, per ESPN‘s Bobby Marks. It’s not much, and it ultimately doesn’t matter since he’s an expiring contract like Gortat, but it’s something.

The question now is who will be roaming the middle for the Wizards in 2018-19, especially with a shortage of salary cap space to pursue this summer’s top bigs? An in-house option would be Ian Mahinmi, but the 31-year-old has been a shell of his former self in D.C. after a career year with the Indiana Pacers in 2015-16 earned him a hefty contract.

Dwight Howard could be an option on the market once his buyout is finalized with the Brooklyn Nets, who acquired him via trade before draft night. However, he’ll likely prefer to join a contender. Add in the fact that he’s been labeled as a locker room problem and that’s the last thing a tense environment like the one in Washington needs right now.

Only time will tell, but for now the Wizards parted with a prickly personality that Woj reported the team had been trying to trade for months. Even better, they got the best player in the exchange who will address an area of need for a team that really needs to start putting playoff runs together.

Next: Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

Grade: B+