NBA Trade Grades: Bucks acquire George Hill from Cavaliers and Jason Smith from Wizards

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards appear to get in on this trade in an effort to reduce their luxury tax bill. It is safe to say the overpriced roster has underperformed and, according to ESPN‘S Bobby Marks, was up for a luxury tax bill of $14.9 million. By swapping the $5.4 million contract of Jason Smith for the $2.8 million salary of Sam Dekker, they save $4.5 million in luxury tax.

In addition to this, the Wizards also created a $2.7 million trade exception and with roster movement expected, this could be helpful. This appears to be the first of many moves by the Wizards and it gives them another small forward who has range in Dekker. The 6’9″ forward out of the University of Wisconsin is shooting 38.5 percent from deep in his nine games this season.

Although he is out with an ankle sprain, he will be back soon. This moves gives the Wizards depth at small forward for the season and therefore allows them to really shop Otto Porter Jr., who has $26 million owed to him this season, $27.2 million next season and then a $28.5 million player option in the 2020-21 season.

Moving that contract off the books will allow the Wizards some wiggle room with salary cap space, even with the John Wall super-max contract coming into effect next season. With Porter averaging only 12.0 points per game, this is the team’s second worst contract behind Ian Mahinmi‘s $15.9 million this season and $15.4 million next season.

Grade: B-