Because they haven't been playing the sort of basketball they expected after making the playoffs a season ago, the Washington Wizards will have some fascinating choices to make at this year's trade deadline.
Many speculations have circulated that Washington may elect to move everyone on their squad, while others have circulated that they may maintain a few players and try to build around superstar Bradley Beal.
Whatever way this team chooses, they'll have to make some significant changes if they want to get to where they need to go in a few seasons.
Let's take a look at the best deals the Wizards must make before the deadline this year to not only help their team compete this season, but also to better fit them for the future.
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Best Wizards Trades
Wizards get: Ben Simmons
Sixers get: Bradley Beal
There have been reports that the Wizards may opt to move Bradley Beal, as well as rumors claiming they have no intentions to trade Beal and are only interested in trading the rest of their roster. If they do decide to trade Bradley Beal, it will be an interesting choice because, despite his poor play this season, he is still one of the best scorers in the NBA and someone who you can build a team around.
Getting a guy like Ben Simmons back for Bradley Beal might not be in their best interests, but it could be their best alternative. Few other teams will be willing to do a one-for-one player swap, and this transaction might benefit both parties. The Wizards are clearly not in a position to compete this season, so bringing Ben Simmons in and maybe building a team around him could be a better move from the front office than keeping Bradley Beal, who has made it apparent that he does not want to be in Washington.
Wizards get: Donte DiVincenzo, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye
Bucks get: Montrezl Harrell
After releasing PJ Tucker last season, the Milwaukee Bucks will undoubtedly be on the lookout for a legitimate defender. It would be difficult for the Bucks to strike a trade with the Wizards, but if they are interested in Montrezl Harrell, it may look like this.
Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye aren't likely to assist the Wizards in the near future, but they may be dealt with this summer, something Washington could explore. They would also be bringing in Donte DiVincenzo, who is still in the early stages of his career and has shown promise as a player. Not only does Donte DiVincenzo provide some youth to the Wizards, but he is also one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA for his age, and as everyone has seen this season with the Wizards, they are in desperate need of defensive help. He could even have a chance to start for this team.
Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye aren't likely to have a significant impact, but they didn't exactly receive a fair shot in Milwaukee and have shown flashes with the Bucks that they may be average players. They wouldn't be a significant component of this team's structure, but they may be utilized as trade bait or one of the bench players.
Wizards get: Damontas Sabonis
Pacers get: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, 2024 first-round pick
This would be difficult for the Wizards to obtain from the Pacers, but it is possible because they are giving them a first-round pick and two players who can still potentially come in and play a role for this Pacers team if they decide to keep some of their other top players and simply retool around them.
If the Wizards decide to keep Bradley Beal, this may be the ideal player to combine with him so that they have two stars. Despite the fact that the Wizards still have a long way to go in many areas, this would be a start in the right direction that pleases Bradley Beal.
Wizards get: Kelly Olynyk
Pistons get: Davis Bertans
One of the most important things the Wizards will have to do during the deadline this year is to make sure they can get rid of Davis Bertans. He has one of the worst contracts in the NBA not only right now, but maybe all time. He doesn't really give much to this Wizards squad, so they'll have to find a way to get him gone no matter what it takes. Unfortunately for the Wizards, finding a player to swap him for will be difficult due to his high salary.
Kelly Olynyk hasn't played much for the Detroit Pistons this season, which might lead them to accept a deal. The Pistons might consider having Davis Bertans play some crucial minutes and then trading him in the offseason for a couple of younger players and a draft pick or two to help speed up their rebuilding process.
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