Washington Wizards: 3 side effects of John Wall sitting the rest of the year

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 5: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 5, 2019 at Capital One Arena 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Shabazz Napier Gets a Real Audition

One of Washington’s two trade deadline acquisitions, Shabazz Napier, may be the only beneficiary to Wall’s absence. He was acquired from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Jordan McRae just before the deadline last Thursday, as if the Wizards already knew Wall wasn’t returning.

With their franchise point guard not returning this season, Napier will see more time on the floor by default, and receive a proper audition for a role on the team next season. Hell, if nothing else, he’ll get the chance to show other teams what he’s worth ahead of free agency.

So far Napier has impressed. For a guy that was traded twice over the last week and spent not even that much time with his new team, he’s adapted quite well. In his two outings for Washington he’s posted a collective 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

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His first game was the more impressive of the two, as Napier was a large contributor to the Wizards win over the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks. But still, with Wall a sure-fire absentee for the rest of the year, his minutes should remain in the 15-20 minute range.

And as I’ve written previously, I’m an avid supporter of staring Napier. But that’s Scott Brooks’ call.

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