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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Washington Wizards

By John Buhler

Mar 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) on the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Verizon Center. The Dallas Mavericks won 112 - 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) on the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Verizon Center. The Dallas Mavericks won 112 - 107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shelvin Mack

Point Guard, Utah Jazz

While upgrading the rough Washington bench will not be easy due to salary cap constraints, the Wizards are fortunate that really any move they make to their rotation can be viewed as an upgrade. If there is one guy that didn’t play for the Wizards last year that could help them, it is Utah Jazz backup point guard Shelvin Mack.

Mack has turned into one of the better backup point guards in the NBA. He struggled to find a role in the league initially with the Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers before becoming a player that the Atlanta Hawks and Jazz could lean on in big moments. Mack isn’t transformative by any means, but would absolutely raise the floor of the Wizards’ backup point guard position.

In the last year and a half with the Jazz, Mack has averaged 9.5 points, 3.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He made 36 of his career 50 starts with the Jazz. Overall, Mack is a player that Utah would hate to lose for what he does as a competent backup floor general.

Washington may have more firepower in re-upping with Brandon Jennings, but Mack is as steady as it gets at backup point guard. He is unselfish enough to play off-ball at the two-guard. In essence, he can play with either Wall or Beal beside him in the Wizards backcourt. Mack would be the best value signing the Wizards could make to upgrade their backcourt this summer in free agency.

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