Panicking in November probably isn’t a wise course of action, but for the Wizards, I think we all know the truth. This team isn’t going anywhere. At best, this is a 5 seed in the East with no chance to win a title. The warts have been noticeable for a long time. The John Wall and Bradley Beal duo have their ceiling. The 5-11 Wizards are now considering blowing up the team.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was the first to report the news:
“As the Washington Wizards’ season spirals, the franchise has started to deliver teams an impression that every player on their roster — including All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal — is available for discussion in trade scenarios, league sources told ESPN.
Washington’s preference remains to reshape the team around Wall and Beal, but poor play among key teammates is limiting their trade value and paralyzing the Wizards’ efforts to make meaningful changes to a roster that no longer appears functional together, league sources said.”
Woj is one of the last respectable people at ESPN so this report seems trustworthy. Woj isn’t a complete fool like Adam Schefter is. Anyway, Woj continues saying that the Wizards refused to include Wall or Beal in any prior Kawhi Leonard or Jimmy Butler discussions. I’m sure the Wizards would prefer to move Otto Porter and or Kelly Oubre to try to improve the team but those guys aren’t worth a whole lot on the trade market.
The problem is, John Wall shouldn’t really be worth anything. His contract is a total albatross and he’s a total cancer. An aging point guard who can’t shoot and makes $46 million per year 4 years from now. That contract also includes a 15 percent trade kicker. Beal, 25, is worth far more. Beal is a reliable 3-point shooter that can fit any team.
