Fansided

Turning over the Washington Wizards roster in five trades

By Dylan Hughes

WASHINGTON, DC -  APRIL 10: John Wall #2 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  APRIL 10: John Wall #2 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 14: Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 14, 2018 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 14: Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 14, 2018 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Believe it or not, Dwight Howard wasn’t the fix to the mismatched egos in the Washington locker room. He seemed to be the super glue to put all these pieces back in the right order, but for whatever reason, it just hasn’t worked out that way.

With Whiteside and Plumlee now on board, it’s time to ship Howard out — along with long-time trade candidate Jason Smith.

dark. Next. Building the perfect NBA roster

In exchange, the Wizards will get Meyers Leonard from the Blazers along with a first-round pick to swallow the remaining $11.3 million on his deal that will come next season.

Leonard has actually had a small role for the Blazers this season, but $10-plus-million for an occasionally productive bench big is too much for a playoff team. That money and the roster spot could be spent better.

For that same reason, Portland could buyout one or both of Howard and Smith after the deal and try to find a better fit for their rotation. But spending a late first to open up $11 million more in cap space in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum’s prime seems like a worthwhile risk.

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