NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Otto Porter

2. Washington Wizards

Despite a severe lack of salary cap space, and John Wall in line for a contract extension, the Wizards reportedly have some desire to keep Porter. Team president Ernie Grunfeld spoke on the topic, with what qualifies as tepid optimism.

"“We’ve said all along that we want to keep our core group of young players together and Otto is an important part of what we’re trying to do,” Grunfeld said. “When free agency starts, we’ll see what we can do and work things out to keep him here.”"

Porter could become the highest paid player on Washington’s roster next season, above Wall ($18 million and his backcourt mate Bradley Beal ($23.7 million). That would create a top-heavy, luxury tax threatening (and ultimately surpassing) roster, with commitments to Markieff Morris, Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi totaling just over $37 million for next year. Trading Gortat, who is set to make $12.78 million in 2017-18 and may be unhappy with his role in Washington, would provide some level of relief.

A return to the Wizards by Porter will be largely dictated by what the market for his services bears. A reasonable and affordable offer sheet from another team is possible, I suppose, but it’s more likely a decision to match a big offer will have to be made. I’m comfortable with the idea the Wizards will bite the financial bullet on Porter, and make other moves to make it more palatable to keep him.

Going right up to and surpassing the luxury tax threshold is part of the cost of doing business in the NBA, if a team wants to go for it in the short-term with a few highly paid veterans. The Wizards find themselves in that boat now.