Addition of Smith restocks backcourt
Satoransky headed to Bulls for $30M in sign-and-trade deal
WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards’ backcourt has undergone massive change, with the team losing restricted free agent point guard Tomas Satoransky but replacing the missing depth with Ish Smith.
The Wizards executed the framework of a sign-and-trade deal Monday morning so that Satoransky, who has started 84 games for Washington over the past two seasons, can move on to the Chicago Bulls. Satoransky will commit to a three-year deal worth $30 million. The Wizards will receive future second-round draft picks, according to reports.
Washington also agreed to terms with Smith, a nine-year veteran, early on the second day of the NBAfree agency, a person with information about the deal said.
Smith is expected to sign a guaranteed two-year deal for $12 million. Washington will use a portion of its non-taxpayers’ mid-level exception, worth $9.2 million.
At the start of the free agency period, the Wizards had a dilemma to solve in the backcourt with no healthy point guards on the roster. Last season, Satoransky filled in capably for the injured John Wall while sharing the floor with all-star guard Bradley Beal. In 80 total appearances and 54 starts last season, Satoransky averaged 8.9 points, 5.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds. On Jan. 11, Satoransky recorded his first career tripledouble (18 points, 10 assists, 11 rebounds) in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
As a restricted free agent, Satoransky searched for what he could command in the open market.
The Wizards could have matched any offer sheet he received and retained the Czech-born player whodeveloped overseas before joining the Wizards in 2016. Instead, Satoransky will head to a young Bulls team, reuniting with friend and former Wizards teammate Otto Porter Jr.
Following the agreement with Chicago, Satoransky shared a goodbye message to Washington over his social media platforms, writing: “First of all, thank you #DCFamily, my teammates, fans and all supporters for the last 3 years in the capital city. I appreciate it a lot. But a new chapter is here and I am so excited and proud to be a part of #chicagobulls. Can’t wait to be on a court at United Center with my teammates!”
With Satoransky gone and Wall expected to miss the majority of the season because of Achilles’ rehabilitation, the 6-foot-3 Smith becomes a building block in Washington’s backcourt.
Smith, 30, has posted career averages of 7.4 points on 42.7 percent shooting and 3.8 assists against1.3 turnovers. Smith spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Pistons, playing behind Reggie Jackson but known for his ability to accelerate the game. When Smith sat out 26 games with a torn abductor muscle, the Pistons compiled an 8-18 record.