Wall injury gives Wizards a chance to reset team
WASHINGTON – At 14-23 entering the week and nearing the halfway point of the season, the Washington Wizards were amid a disappointing campaign that likely did not have a playoff appearance coming.
The news that All-Star point guard John Wall will have season-ending surgery on his left heel is a merciful resolution to a season marked by underachieving players and frustration with the front office and coaching staffs.
The angst surrounding this season dissipated with the Wall news, and the Wizards now can play out the schedule minus the daily scrutiny over a season gone awry.
The Wizards can focus on other things besides the playoffs:
❚ Young players.
❚ Figuring out who is part of the future, even if it means trades.
❚ The draft, including a likely lottery pick who can contribute immediately.
❚ Who runs the front office and coaches the team next season.
It's time for more minutes for rookie forward Troy Brown, second-year center Thomas Bryant, second-year guard Chasson Randle, third-year forward Sam Dekker and third-year guard Tomas Satoransky.
The 6-11 Bryant has had impressive performances in the past two weeks: 31 points on 14for-14 shooting and 13 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns, and 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets.
Brown was the 15th pick in June's draft — just one spot out of the lottery — but for some reason, he has had trouble cracking coach Scott Brooks' rotation.
Making it more frustrating is watching players drafted after Brown (or undrafted) contribute: Milwaukee's Donte DiVencenzo, Atlanta's Kevin Huerter, Minnesota's Josh Okogie, Philadelphia's Landry Shamet, Charlotte's Devonte Graham, Brooklyn's Rodion Kurucs, Detroit's Bruce Brown and New York's Allonzo Trier.
Troy Brown played 18 minutes in Washington's first game after the Wall news, and he delivered nine points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.
Giving those younger players minutes will determine who the Wizards want to keep — and who they might want to trade.
Wall is not tradeable right now because of the injury. A contract extension that guarantees him $170 million over four seasons starting in 2019-20 makes it even more difficult to move Wall.
It makes no sense to trade Bradley Beal, who is the team's best player and in line to play in his second All-Star Game. However, he is the player who can return the most assets in a trade. Teams have called the Wizards about Markieff Morris' availability in a trade, and Otto Porter is another trade possibility.
Keep in mind the Wizards do not have financial flexibility headed into free agency. They are tied up in $92 million due to Wall, Beal and Porter next season, plus $15 million owed to Ian Mahinmi. The salary cap is projected at $109 million.
Getting a top-10 pick who can play from Day 1 next season will benefit the Wizards more than a push for the seventh or eighth seed. Who will be around to make that pick and develop that player? Ernie Grunfeld has been in charge of basketball operations since 2003, and disgruntled fans would like to see a change.
Owner Ted Leonsis has been patient with his player personnel chiefs on his NBA and NHL teams. Brooks is also in the third year of a five-year, $35 million contract. It won't be surprising if both are back next season, and this Wall injury gives Leonsis more reason to keep the status quo.
But can they turn it into something better than they had?