Washington Wizards: The pros and cons of a Ian Mahinmi buyout

Defense gets worse?

Yes, Wizards fans, it’s true.

Believe it or not, the poor representation of NBA defense you’ve seen night in and night out could actually get worse. Mahinmi has been the starter because he’s been Washington’s best defending center–whether or not more opportunity for others could disprove that, is beside the point.

Pulling him and replacing him with the younger and less experienced guys could result in a catastrophic-level hole opening up in the Washington frontcourt.

Per Cleaning the Glass, the Wizards are giving up 118.2 points per 100 possessions with Mahinmi off the floor. That’s opposed to the 114.9 when he’s on the court.

But, there’s always an argument that when things are this bad, they can’t get worse. But it would take the dice roll that is offloading Mahinmi to truly know for sure.

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Blow to the Roster Depth

As much as Mahinmi’s absence would make way in opportunity for some of the other guys, it no doubt puts the Washington Wizards’ roster in a firm chokehold at center.

Washington is riding high into the All-Star break, fresh off of back-to-back wins, and only three games back of the Eastern Conference eighth seed.

The big men they’ve got behind Mahinmi, well they haven’t proved the most reliable. They’ve all three at one point been absent for some stretch in the season with injury. For Wednesday’s game, both Pasečņiks and Bryant were listed on the injury report.

While they may not be serious injuries (this time), if they fall off at any point after the break and the Wizards are even closer to the playoffs, that’d be quite the sting. Keeping Mahinmi around is center insurance on the off chance Washington lucks themselves into the eighth seed.

The Washington Wizards are unlikely to agree to any form of buyout with Ian Mahinmi, yet.

But as the next few weeks pass, if their ‘shot’ at the playoffs turns more into a ‘miracle,’ watch for this to be reopened as a possibility. Mahinmi has been good this season for all intensive purposes, and there will be a market for him if he becomes available.