Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from the offseason
By Leo Versel
2. Veterans to supply seasoned play, mentoring
Tommy Sheppard’s focus this offseason did not solely lie on bringing young talent to the Washington Wizards. The management and he demonstrated an additional focus of securing league veterans for the team.
Besides signing eight-season NBA vet Isaiah Thomas, the Wiz also acquired 6-foot guard Ish Smith, entering his ninth season as well, and combination guard-forward C.J. Miles, who aims to play in his 15th NBA season, following surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot.
There is strong potential for these veterans to mentor younger Wizards and boost the team’s confidence on and off of the court, like retired forward Paul Pierce did when he played with Washington.
Thomas especially can do that, hopefully during a resurgent year for himself.
This trio of veteran players can also ideally contribute seasoned play, either as starters or reserves.
While Thomas only played 12 games with the Denver Nuggets last year, he tweeted that he weighed in at 168 pounds a few weeks ago, his lightest since prep school, and that he’s “excited” for the Wizards’ upcoming season.
Smith is coming to Washington after playing three years with the Detroit Pistons. He averaged 8.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game last season on 41.9 percent overall average shooting accuracy.
In 2018-19, Miles averaged over nine points and two rebounds in 13 games with the Memphis Grizzlies after being traded from the Toronto Raptors midway through the season.
He can score as a stretch-4, averaging 36 percent 3-point shooting accuracy for his career. Miles can also efficiently convert free throws, averaging 81 percent career accuracy in that area.
It’s too early to tell whether the gamble by Sheppard and owner Ted Leonsis of adding these veterans will achieve these goals and if Thomas and Miles will have the comeback years they desire.
Washington’s hopes of returning to the playoffs this season will not only rest on Bradley Beal‘s play and John Wall‘s recovery, but also on the success of these three players with fitting into the Wizards’ system and supporting this young team’s development.