Washington Wizards; 3 reasons Tommy Sheppard deserves GM job
By Leo Versel
2. Under Sheppard’s direction, Wizards add diverse group of talent
Tommy Sheppard’s vision for the Washington Wizards began to become clearer with the start of NBA free agency on June 30.
Shifts started to take place in the Eastern Conference almost immediately, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving deciding to join the Brooklyn Nets and Kemba Walker headed for the Boston Celtics.
In the first hours, Washington lost forwards Trevor Ariza, who agreed to a $25 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, and Bobby Portis, who negotiated a $31 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Sheppard’s first action during free agency was to keep 21-year-old center Thomas Bryant, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal to stay with the Wizards.
This first step during a turbulent time in the NBA indicated Sheppard’s intention to support his All-Star backcourt of Bradley Beal and John Wall with a talented, young core. In days to come,
Sheppard facilitated a sign-and-trade of Czech guard Tomas Satoransky, who went to the Chicago Bulls, in exchange for a second-round pick in 2020 and rights to swap for a future second-round selection.
Power forward Jeff Green left for the Utah Jazz and former No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker joined the Atlanta Hawks. Withstanding these losses in free agency, Sheppard helped the Wizards assemble a strong squad.
In a three-team-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, Sheppard acquired young Lakers players Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga and Jemerrio Jones, as well as a 2022 second-round draft pick.
Each of these young players now has a fresh start and the opportunity to learn under Scott Brooks‘ coaching.
Nine-year veteran Ish Smith also signed with the Wizards on a two-year, $12 million deal. Smith previously played with Washington during the team’s 2015 training camp and preseason. He will offer veteran leadership and can serve as a reliable point guard option off the bench.
It’s important to note that Sheppard traded Dwight Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies for another veteran, forward C.J. Miles.
Sheppard later called this move:
"“(T)he quickest trade I’ve ever done in my life.”"
This exchange was essential to encourage an organizational reset for the Wizards, in my view.
Within under 24 hours, Sheppard brought another young talent to D.C., in 26-year-old Latvian power forward Davis Bertans.
The 6’10” former San Antonio Spur converted an average of 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers last season, establishing him as the sixth-most accurate shooter from beyond the arc in the league.
Through acquiring Bertans, Sheppard and the Wizards now have another reliable 3-point threat to accompany Beal, Troy Brown Jr., and Miles.
The greatest steal of Washington’s offseason is arguably Isaiah Thomas, a starting-caliber point guard and former Wizards nemesis. The Tacoma, Wash., native agreed to join the Wiz July 2 on a one-year contract.
Entering his ninth year in the NBA, Thomas has a unique opportunity to return to the league-leading play he reached during the 2016-17 season. He averaged 28.9 points per game, third in the NBA that year.
As Wall continues to progress in his recovery, the Wizards are in sore need of another guard to take the pressure from Beal’s shoulders. Sheppard added exactly that.
NBC Sports Washington reporter Chase Hughes provided commentary on Sheppard’s vision for the Wizards, following news that Parker would transition to the Hawks:
"Clearly, they are prioritizing youth and long-term financial flexibility. We are also learning something about Sheppard. He appears to be making a case that things can be different under him than they were under Ernie Grunfeld, with whom Sheppard worked for 16 years."
In a separate article, Hughes also discussed how Sheppard’s close collaboration with the Wizards’ ownership paved the way for him to become GM. Sheppard’s offseason acquisitions demonstrate seasoned decision-making and good judgment.