NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are facing salary cap oblivion after another mediocre season. Who can they add this summer to raise the ceiling of the team?

The Washington Wizards have flashed some stretches of brilliance over the past two seasons. They took the Boston Celtics to the brink in 2017 behind incredible efforts from John Wall and Brad Beal, losing in the unforgettable Kelly Olynyk Game. This past season all hope seemed lost as Wall went down with a knee injury, but the team discovered a pass-happy offensive identity that kept their season afloat.

But such moments of have been too sporadic over the years. Injuries, inconsistent defensive effort, poor bench play and locker room tension have often plagued what seemed like a future contender just a few years ago. After a disappointing 43-39 year, the Wizards are slowly arriving at a crossroads. The John Wall-Brad Beal core has never won more than 49 games and Washington’s tax bill is going to skyrocket within the next few seasons. John Wall’s Designated Player Veteran Extension, which is rapidly looking like a potential disaster, takes effect after the 2018-2019 season. By 2019 the Wizards will be dishing out over $100 million to Wall, Beal, Otto Porter, and the fossilized remnants of Ian Mahinmi! And that’s before Tomas Satoransky and Kelly Oubre enter restricted free agency in the summer of 2019.

The whole situation just doesn’t seem sustainable. How can ownership afford to pay the crippling luxury tax for a team that isn’t a legit contender? Cost cutting will certainly be one of Washington’s top priorities as we enter the offseason. Jason Smith, Jodie Meeks and Ian Mahinmi are all potential candidates to be waived and stretched. Though stretching Mahinmi now isn’t an easy decision, despite his catastrophic contract. The Wizards would have to pay out the remainder of his contract over the next five years. With humongous bills coming soon, stretching him now might be unpalatable down the road.

In any case, the financial outlook is not pretty for Washington. Waiving Smith and Meeks and trading someone like Marcin Gortat would help the Wizards duck the tax. But Ernie Grunfeld and the front office won’t have any significant tools at their disposal to strengthen the roster even if they can avoid the dreaded tax. Any free agents that the Wizards bring in will be minimum-level players or guys that are available for the taxpayer mid-level exception at most. And this team has numerous holes to fill; though the franchise improved its notoriously bad bench last year, getting more wing and frontcourt depth will be imperative.

With limited resources to pursue free agents, Washington will also have to consider some big trades to get into contention in the improving East. Here are a few players that Washington can realistically pursue in free agency and via trade this summer.