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The time is now for the Washington Wizards to blow it up

By Matt H

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 25: Bradley Beal #3 Otto Porter Jr. #22 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait during Media Day on September 25, 2017 at Capital One Center in Washington DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 25: Bradley Beal #3 Otto Porter Jr. #22 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait during Media Day on September 25, 2017 at Capital One Center in Washington DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images /

Why trade Otto Porter Jr.?

The Washington rebuild continues, and the next player to go is Otto Porter Jr. and the rest of his 2016 restricted free agency salary debacle.

Back in 2016, the NBA salary cap was projected to climb to unprecedented levels. To put it in perspective, NBA general managers were only able to spend about $58.8 million on their rosters from 2009-15.

All of a sudden, the NBA’s new TV rights kicked in and the salary cap jumped to $70 million in 2016 and again to $94.1 million in 2017. Factor in another projected jump to roughly $107.5 million from 2018 to 2021 and NBA GMs whipped themselves into a free agency frenzy and started shooting insane contracts out of T-shirt cannon at any available player during the summer of 2016.

Timofey Mozgov for four years and $64 million? Sure, why not? Thump!

Joakim Noah for four years and $72 million? Absolutely. Thump!

Well as it turned out, the projections were a bit off.

Enter Otto Porter Jr.’s contract. The Washington Wizards were hoping to sign Porter to an affordable deal somewhat above his $7.7 million qualifying offer as he entered restricted free agency in 2016. This would allow other teams to offer him a contract and leave the Wizards to decide whether or not to match. At least that was the plan.

So what happened? The Brooklyn Nets went full Leroy Jenkins and offered Porter a four-year, $106.5 million contract. The Wizards panicked, matched the offer and the rest is history. Sometimes you just have to know when to fold ’em.

Back to the rebuild. Having Porter on the books for the next three years at $81.6 million doesn’t exactly fit the plan, making him the next trade priority.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle are in win-now mode. Otto Porter Jr. gives Dallas a reliable wing player who can actually make 3-pointers and play defense. With Porter only being 25 years old, under contract until the 2020-21 season and fitting well alongside Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic in the revamped Dallas offense, this deal makes sense from their end.

In return, the Wizards get one less year salary at Porter’s price, since he has a player option in the final year of his contract, meaning he can opt into the last year of his deal for a $28.4 million pay day. While I do not contend to have psychic powers, I am predicting right now with a high degree of confidence that Otto Porter Jr. will accept a $28.4 million dollar paycheck in 2020.

Though it won’t be fun watching the Wizards pay Harrison Barnes $25.1 million in 2019 to play basketball, the goal is to get worse and Barnes definitely helps them achieve that mission. However, with Dallas providing an extra first round draft pick and early salary relief, this trade works.

One more move to go.

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