The Washington Wizards ended yet another disappointing season. Despite making a strong start, the Wizards finished in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. However, they made the step in the right direction, trading for Kristaps Porzingis. At the same time, unfortunately, they lost Bradley Beal to an ankle injury, so they could not really make a real run to the postseason. Now, Beal and Porzingis are both healthy and they could look to make the postseason. Still, they could use some help and the best way to get help is through trades. Here are two unrealistic trades the Wizards must try to make in the 2022 NBA offseason.
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Unrealistic Wizards Trades In 2022 NBA Offseason
Wizards get Kyrie Irving; Nets get Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura
Starting off strong, the Wizards might look at their dynamic duo and think they cannot be enough for the team to be competitive in the East. Thus, they should capitalize on one star being available for a trade in Kyrie Irving. Obviously, Durant is a pipe dream without giving away all of their picks, while Irving could be available for less, given the fact he is on an expiring deal. Additionally, given that both Beal and Porzingis are not great ball handlers, the addition of Irving would be a new dimension for the Wizards' offense. Let's look at why both teams say yes to this deal.
From the Nets side of the equation, getting two youngsters for an expiring deal of a player that serves no purpose for the team if Durant is traded away is great. Even if Avdija and Hachimura were underwhelming for the Wizards, just the ability to get two assets out of the situation would be incredible. Additionally, this would clear up a lot of space for the Nets. Irving is set to make around $37 million, while the combined income of Hachimura and Avdija is $11 million. If Durant is traded away as well, that would give the Nets a chance to really attack the 2023 free agent pool, one that contains LeBron James. It is a long shot, but it would be possible, so it is worth a chance.
For the Wizards, the equation is pretty clear – get Irving in for a season and if it works out, re-sign him and attack the NBA title with the Irving-Beal-Porzingis big three. In theory, it should work. Beal could be the off-ball threat, Irving the primary ball-handler and clutch shooter, while Porzingis would stretch out the floor and provide an inside threat. Defensively, there would be some issues, but it would be up to the Wizards front office to figure out some defensive-minded players on short-term deals in the offseason. If it does not work out, Irving can walk away and since Avdija and somewhat Hachimura has not been amazing for the Wizards, they can live with passing them on for a one-year rental.
Wizards get Jalen Suggs; Magic get Rui Hachimura, 2024 first-round pick swap, 2025 first-round top-10 protected pick
In a much less blockbuster trade, the Wizards could look to capitalize on the bad leadership in Orlando to snag their 2021 first-round selection Jalen Suggs. With Markelle Fultz being the primary point guard for the Magic, they might look to get some value out of Suggs, since he likely would not enjoy sitting on the bench for an extended period of time. Due to the Wizards having most of their future picks under control and due to Hachimura remaining on the roster, they have assets to try and pry Suggs away from the Magic. Let's look at why both teams could benefit from this hypothetical deal.
The Magic do this deal because no one will give them this return for Suggs down the line. When they re-signed Markelle Fultz to a long-term deal, the idea was that they will be looking to make him the point guard of the future. That automatically delegated Suggs to the bench, and even though he was the starter this season, it was mostly because Fultz only played 18 games. Suggs also had some terrible efficiency numbers and was generally outshined by fellow rookie Franz Wagner. Due to all of these circumstances, the Magic might look to get another wing scorer and some first-rounders for Suggs, something the Wizards should be happy to give up in this deal.
While everything that was said about the rookie year of Suggs is absolutely true, it should not get the Wizards fans scared about this young player. Suggs is a fantastic prospect and just because he was stuck playing in a dysfunctional team, without any desire to really win, it does not mean he cannot be great in the future. He fills out the point guard gaping hole the Wizards have and does so on a rookie-scale contract, meaning that if the Wizards play their cards right, they could look to add one more piece before signing Suggs to an extension. It would cost them some first-rounders, but since they are looking to play in the postseason, picks really do not make that much of a difference. This deal needs to be pursued by the Wizards.
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