Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
So tonight is the night. The new look Wizards with Bradley Beal as their leader will no longer have the services of Otto Porter and Markeiff Morris to help him along for the remainder of the season. While Morris has been shelved with his injury, Porter has returned to the line-up and provided a spark, but apparently not enough.
So was this dump enough to make things happen in the off-season? Or was this a move to make something happen for the remainder of this season? The Wizards got back Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis, and a protected 2023 second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls for Porter, and the New Orleans Pelicans dealt Wesley Johnson for Morris and Washington’s 2023 second-rounder.
These moves were clearly made to get out of the luxury tax as all three incoming players’ contracts will be off the books this offseason (Parker’s has a team option). This shouldn’t be overlooked, but it isn’t the whole story.
More to come on this, as Beal is the sole player left from what they created that should have made sense, now its looking like Wall is done for next season and they are making their plans to see what exists in free agency.
The addition of Sam Dekker and Trevor Ariza have netted minimal differences for the Wizards. Ariza has been able to connect on quite a few three pointers to bring the team back out of some deep holes of late, but Dekker remains a part of the bench that has merely become quite a few G League players.
Next up for the Wizards, a look at the Cavs tonight, who have their own woes, but for some reason, have given the Wizards a run for their money so far this season.
