The Washington Wizards have made a series of intriguing moves this offseason. They aim to reshape their roster and climb the Eastern Conference standings. With a blend of young talent and veteran experience, the team has taken calculated risks that could significantly impact their trajectory. Let's break down the Wizards' free agency haul and assign grades for each key signing.
The Wizards' 2024 Offseason So Far
This offseason, the Wizards injected some much-needed young talent into their roster. They made three first-round draft picks, selecting Alex Sarr at No. 2 overall, Carlton “Bub” Carrington at No. 14, and Kyshawn George at No. 24. Sarr might be a franchise cornerstone, while Carrington and George are also seen as crucial pieces for the Wizards’ future.
The Wizards also made a savvy move by trading Deni Avdija to the Blazers, bringing in Malcolm Brogdon, a valuable veteran presence. However, trading a 23-year-old coming off a career-best season is a questionable decision for a team in rebuilding mode. The Wizards might have been better off trading Kyle Kuzma or Jordan Poole instead. Additionally, the Wizards signed big man Jonas Valanciunas to a three-year, $30 million deal and Saddiq Bey to a three-year, $19 million contract. Valanciunas should be a solid veteran presence and mentor for Sarr. Meanwhile, Bey represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
Here we will give out our grades for all the player signings that the Washington Wizards had during the 2024 NBA free agency period.
Signing Saddiq Bey
Saddiq Bey has built a solid career with the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks. He has averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in his career. Last season with the Hawks, he played in 63 games (51 starts), posting good numbers before a torn ACL ended his season on March 10 against New Orleans.
Acquired by the Hawks via trade from the Pistons in February 2023, Bey was initially drafted 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA Draft but was traded to Detroit on draft night. During his 204 games with the Pistons, he started all 82 games in the 2021-22 season, where he averaged a career-high 16.1 points per game.
Bey grew up in Largo, Maryland, and attended DeMatha Catholic before transferring to Sidwell Friends School. He played two seasons at Villanova. He was a unanimous first team All-BIG EAST selection in the 2019-20 season.
Grade: A
Re-signing Anthony Gill
Anthony Gill has been a consistent presence for the Wizards over four seasons. Over 179 games, he has normed 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Last season, he played in 50 games (three starts), averaging 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Before joining the Wizards, Gill played internationally for BC Khimki in Russia (2017-2020) and Yeşilgiresun Belediye in Turkey (2016-2017). He should be a solid rotational piece for 2024-25.
Grade: B
Extending Richaun Holmes
Richaun Holmes agreed to a two-year extension with the Wizards after declining his $12.88 million player option. The new contract is valued at $25.9 million over two years.
Holmes was acquired at the trade deadline from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Daniel Gafford. In his 17 games for Washington, Holmes averaged 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game.
The nine-year NBA veteran should compete with Valanciunas for the starting center position next season. He can potentially hold the role until first-round pick Alexandre Sarr is ready.
Grade: B
Acquiring Malcolm Brogdon (for now)
The Wizards traded Avdija to the Blazers in exchange for Brogdon, the No. 14 overall pick, and the second-most favorable of their three 2029 first-round picks.
Washington is in the early stages of a rebuild, highlighted by their two lottery picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 2029 pick offers long-term potential, and Brogdon can be flipped to a win-now team for additional assets. Trading Avdija has raised eyebrows, though. He was flipped despite his career-best season, in favor of longer-term value. It was clearly a strategic move, but will it pay off?
Grade: B
Acquiring Jonas Valančiūnas
The Wizards acquired veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Valančiūnas has recorded 362 career double-doubles, ranking 12th among active players. He is also in the top 10 among active players in total rebounds (8,096) and career field goal percentage (.561).
In the 2023-24 season, Valančiūnas played all 82 games for the first time in his career. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game with 33 double-doubles. In the 2024 Western Conference First Round, he averaged 14.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Grade: B
Looking Ahead
Overall, the Washington Wizards have made significant strides during the 2024 free agency period. They carefully balanced the acquisition of seasoned veterans with the infusion of promising young talent. Their moves reflect a thoughtful approach to both immediate competitiveness and future growth. Saddiq Bey's signing stands out as a major win, bringing in a versatile forward with star potential. Jonas Valančiūnas and Richaun Holmes fortify the frontcourt. They will provide veteran leadership and depth.
As the new season approaches, the success of these signings will be measured by their ability to elevate the team's performance. If the Wizards can harness the potential of their new acquisitions and stay healthy, they could very well find themselves back in the playoff conversation.
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