The Washington Wizards is seeking to turn around a disappointing 25 win campaign. These are the top five free agents that they must target this off-season to push them to a better position.
The Washington Wizards, even with an invite to the upcoming NBA’s restart bubble at Orlando, have been painfully mediocre over the past couple seasons. They went winless against the Pistons and Bulls and have been outclassed by the Cavs and Celtics in their last two outings. It is time for change, and the Washington Wizard’s front office has taken notice.
Marcin Gortat, acquired from Denver at the trade deadline, is one of the most popular free agents on the market for the Washington Wizard’s front office. Gortat was an anchor in the Nuggets’ defense for the past few seasons, and it is his reputation as a solid rebounder that the team is hoping will carry over to Washington. He should be able to play at both the center position and the power forward position. If he can stay healthy over the course of a full season, Gortat should be able to help the team return to the playoffs.
Trevor Booker is another player that the Washington Wizard’s front office is interested in pursuing. The rookie point guard from North Carolina State is expected to play an important role this coming season as a starter at point guard for the franchise. He is very athletic, and the Wizards have high hopes that he can blossom into a star as soon as he hits the NBA. If he can consistently play well, the Wizards will be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
Another player that the Washington Wizard’s front office is interested in pursuing is Thabo Sefolosha. He is an experienced vet that has already developed into a solid starter for the Atlanta Hawks. The Wizards signed him as a free agent in the offseason to add depth to a depleted roster. He may not have the upside that some of the top players on the market, but he will be able to contribute as a solid backup to John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Another player that the Washington Wizard’s front office is very interested in pursuing is Rajon Rondo. The Boston Celtics shooting guard has been a perennial double-double threat, and he has led the team to two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. He will be entering the final year of his contract, and the Wizards will want to lock him up before he hits the market. The question is whether they should attempt to retain his Bird rights or attempt to acquire him via trade.
A big key for the Washington Wizard’s front office will be how well they can retain Nene Hilario. Hilario, who was acquired from the Denver Nuggets prior to the start of the season, has been one of the more consistent defensive players in the NBA. Hilario will not provide much offense, but he is a solid defender and rebounder, which helps solidify the bench as a major positive for the team.
The Washington Wizard’s front office will have many decisions to make over the summer, and that is the reason why they will be aggressive in pursuing several top-notch players. It is unlikely that they will be able to land every single free agent that is available. That being said, they will have some success if they focus their attention on some key players, like Gortat, Booker and Sefolosha. The rest of the players that are available could help fill out their roster as free agents in the future, and if they do not land the right players, it will hurt them in the long run.
