The Wizards' season was on the precipice as early as Jan. 12. Although Washington had just beaten Phoenix, the team was 3-8 and about to see its roster decimated by COVID-19.
When the Wizards returned after a two-week hiatus, they lost nine of their next 12 games, falling to 6-17, the second-worst record in the NBA at the time.
What transpired over the next three months was nothing short of incredible. Russell Westbrook reverted back to his MVP form, Bradley Beal competed with Stephen Curry in a scoring race that went down to the season's final week, and the under-the-radar trade-deadline deal for Daniel Gafford gave the roster a boost for the final stretch.
Add it all up and the Wizards went 28-21 over the final 49 games, finishing in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and making the playoffs via the NBA's play-in tournament before losing in the first round to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The offseason in Washington now turns to the future of Bradley Beal and the delicate balancing act of bringing back free agents (Ish Smith, Robin Lopez, Raul Neto) while also staying below the luxury tax.
The future of Bradley Beal
The future of Washington's franchise player will be at the forefront of the NBA universe this offseason. Beal is set to enter the last guaranteed year of his contract (he has a $37.3 million player option in 2022-23), and the Wizards have finished below .500 in each of the past three seasons.
That's the kind of combination that, in the modern NBA, has frequently led to a superstar asking for a trade -- just ask James Harden. Even as Beal insisted this season that he wasn't looking for a way out of Washington, rumors swirled around his future. There will continue to be speculation, with some insisting the Wizards should trade Beal and start a rebuild and others pushing for the All-Star guard to commit long term.
Rather than join the speculation, we'll lay out the options facing the team and player in the coming months.
The pitch to return
Beal has made it well known that he wants to stay in Washington.
"I hate change," he told The Undefeated's Marc Spears in March. "If it happens, it happens. But if I can control it, I will finish in D.C. ... Jumping ship is kind of the easy way out. But at the same time, there's no guarantee that you'll win."
Those comments help explain why Beal signed a two-year, $70.1 million extension in 2019, when he had two years left on the four-year deal he signed in 2016. He could have played out that contract, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
No one would have faulted him at the time, given that the Wizards were coming off a 32-50 season -- just their second losing season in Beal's career to that point -- and the health of his backcourt partner John Wall was deteriorating.
While the Wizards are again coming off a losing season that resulted in a quick playoff exit, general manager Tommy Sheppard has plenty of positives to point to as he tries to reinforce Beal's desire to stay in Washington.
The pitch will focus on the team's record since the All-Star break and why this roster -- with a few minor tweaks in the offseason -- can contend for a top-five seed in the East. The deadline-day trade with Chicago will certainly be highlighted, as it proves that the front office can find under-the-radar talent like Gafford to help supplement the team's superstar core.
Beal also has a strong relationship with Russell Westbrook, who is under contract through the 2022-23 season and, like Beal, is eligible for an extension this offseason.
"He's a great character guy," Beal said of Westbrook. "And his approach to the basketball game is what helped me have the year I'm having. And it helped us turn the year around. His level of accountability, you want that. He pushes himself to levels that you don't even think exist."
Of course, a lot of the Wizards' potential success moving forward hinges on the development of their lottery picks: Deni Avdija (No. 9 in 2020), Rui Hachimura (No. 9 in 2019) and the player Washington selects in the first round this July. Because close to $90 million would be owed to Westbrook and Beal in 2022-23, the Wizards will need their former lottery picks who are on rookie scale contracts to develop into starters or key contributors off the bench -- or show enough potential to be used in a trade to bring back an established player to put alongside Beal and Westbrook.
And what about head coach Scott Brooks?
Brooks is in the last year of his contract, and Beal will want to know who is in charge in the future.
Brooks has done a solid job of navigating this roster through adversity this season, and Beal should be consulted on what direction Washington goes: retaining Brooks on a long-term contract or looking for his replacement.
Still, even if Beal doesn't ask for a trade, he could tell the Wizards that he would like to play out next season and explore his options in 2022. There is a $54 million difference between signing an extension now and waiting until the 2022 offseason, and Beal could merely be looking at this from a business perspective.
That would leave Washington with a franchise-altering decision: Does it keep Beal at the risk of losing him for nothing or explore the trade market?
The extension
Beal will reach 10 years of service in 2022 and as a result can sign an extension worth 35% of the salary cap, starting on Oct. 17. A four-year extension that starts in 2022-23 -- replacing his $36.4 million player option -- would have a starting salary of $40.5 million and be worth a total of $181.5 million over the life of the deal. However, that's still $54 million shy of the $235 million he could get if he waits to become a free agent in 2022, then re-signs with the Wizards on a five-year deal.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Wizards are on the same financial playing field with an extension as a team that could sign Beal with cap space in 2022. Beal's total salary from a four-year extension would be only $7 million more than what he could get on a max contract from another team in the summer of 2022.
Still, Beal has repeatedly made it clear that it's not all about money for him, nor is it about chasing rings.
"For me, I am kind of loyal to a fault," he said. "I'm kind of like [Damian Lillard] in this realm, that it would probably mean so much more to you winning it in Portland or winning it in D.C. because you know you [were] grinding all those years."
The trade market
Beal should not be cast as a villain if he wakes up one morning this offseason and realizes that the best chance for team success is outside of Washington. The Wizards have had nine years to build a successful roster around Beal and have failed to do so to this point. Since Beal was drafted in 2012, the Wizards have reached the playoffs five times but have never advanced beyond the second round.
While there will be an overflow of teams in the waiting room in the event that Beal asks out, it's not known if any of them will be willing to offer a Harden-like package of multiple first-round picks, draft swaps and young players for a player who could become a free agent in 2022.
The Knicks have the right package of young players (RJ Barrett) and draft picks to appease the Wizards. But would they follow the same mistakes from the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade and gut their roster when they could simply sign him with cap space in 2022?
The Grizzlies are not a free-agent destination for All-NBA players and could take a swing for a fence type deal with a collection of draft picks (nine over the next seven years) and young players on team-friendly contracts (De'Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks).
However, is the risk worth the reward if Beal leaves as a free agent the following year? Remember that Harden had three years left on his contract (the third was a player option) when he was traded, and Brooklyn was on the short list of teams he wanted to play for.
For the Wizards to maximize the value in return, Beal would have to give them a list of teams with whom he would re-sign as a free agent.
The luxury tax
Washington straddled the luxury tax line this season and will have to do the same in 2021-22. That is what happens when $80 million in salary (61.5% of Washington's payroll) is tied up in two players.
Including the rookie-scale salary for their first-round pick, the Wizards are $9.7 million below the luxury tax line before the offseason begins and are left prioritizing their own free agents: Robin Lopez, Ish Smith, Garrison Mathews, Alex Len and Raul Neto.
The five players have all shown their value at some point of the season.
Mathews is coming off a two-way contract and played in 60 games this season (starting 22). Despite a reduced role down the stretch (including two DNPs), Mathews shot 38.7% from 3. Mathews is a restricted free agent and because he was on the roster for two seasons has established early Bird rights.
Neto and Smith combined to average 15 points and 6.1 assists coming off the bench this season. Neto also averaged a career high in minutes (21.7).
Lopez played in every game this season, starting five and providing strong value both on the court and with his veteran leadership. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 19.1 minutes.
Len found a home in Washington after being waived by the Raptors after playing in only seven games. In 36 starts this season, Len averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The return of Thomas Bryant from a torn ACL and the play of Daniel Gafford could result in Lopez and/or Len becoming cap casualties if either player is looking for more than the veteran minimum.
Offseason cap breakdownWizards' Projected Cap SheetPLAYER2021-22 SALARY1. Russell Westbrook$44,211,1462. Bradley Beal$34,502,1293. Davis Bertans$16,000,0004. Thomas Bryant$8,666,6675. Rui Hachimura$4,916,1606. Deni Avdija$4,692,8407. Chandler Hutchison$4,019,4598. Daniel Gafford$1,782,621 (non-guaranteed)9. Anthony Gill$1,517,981 (non-guaranteed)10. Caleb Homesley$1,517,981 (non-guaranteed)11. Robin Lopez1$8,760,000 (free agent hold)12. Ish Smith2$7,800,000 (free agent hold)13. Isaac Bonga3$2,122,822 (free agent hold)14. Raul Neto1$1,669,178 (free agent hold)15. Alex Len1$1,669,178 (free agent hold)16. Garrison Mathews4$1,669,178 (free agent hold)17. Cassius Winston5$1,489,065 (free agent hold)18. First-rounder$3,749,520 (draft hold)Guaranteed contracts$117MPartial/non-guaranteed$4.8MFree agent/draft holds$28.5MTotal$150.4MSALARY CAP$112.8MLUXURY TAX$136.6M1. Non-Bird2. Early Bird3. Restricted Bird4. Restricted Early Bird5. Restricted Non-BirdWizards' Projected Depth ChartPGSGSFPFCR. WestbrookB. BealD. AvdijaR. HachimuraT. BryantC. Homesley1C. HutchisonD. BertansD. Gafford1An. Gill11= Partial/non-guaranteed
Team needs
Avdija and Hachimura taking a big step in their development
Wing defenders off the bench
Depth at point, shooting guard, small forward and center
Resources to build the roster
The draft: first round pick
Exceptions: $5.9 million taxpayer midlevel
Player development
Cash: $5.8 million to send or receive in a trade
Dates to watch
• The Wizards have until Aug. 7 to guarantee the $1.5 million contract of Anthony Gill. The 28-year-old power forward appeared in 21 games (two starts), averaging 6.8 minutes and 2.2 points. He had a career-high 13 points (in 13 minutes) in a loss to San Antonio in late April.
• The $1.78 million non-guaranteed contract of Daniel Gafford does not have a trigger date for compensation protection until Jan. 7.
Restrictions
• The Wizards can trade only a 2021 first-round pick. The pick can be protected but cannot roll over to another season.
• Bradley Beal has a 15% trade bonus in his contract.
• The non-guaranteed contracts of Daniel Gafford and Anthony Gill do not have any trade value until they are fully protected.
Extension candidates
• Westbrook seemed more likely to be headed for another salary-dump trade or contract buyout than an extension before the season. The $130 million left on his contract when he was traded for John Wall was seen as an albatross (we heard the same thing about Chris Paul). Now Westbrook is coming off another season where he averaged a triple-double (fourth time in five seasons), posting career highs in rebounds and assists per game. While it is unlikely that Washington extends him, especially given that Westbrook would be 34 in the first year of a new deal, he is eligible for an extension. The Wizards can add up to three seasons beyond the $44.2 million and $47.1 million owed to Westbrook over the next two years. The dollar amount can vary from the minimum to $49.5 million. League rules do not allow for Westbrook to decline his $47.1 million option and sign an extension for less money in 2022-23.
• The Wizards should say thank you to the Bulls not only for the trade that gave them Gafford but also for signing the former second-round pick to a team-friendly four-year, $6.1 million contract in 2019. Gafford averaged a career-high 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in a Wizards uniform, and because he's under contract for two more seasons, he's eligible to negotiate an extension this summer. The maximum starting salary in the first year (either 2022-23 or 2023-24) is $12.5 million (120% above the estimated average player salary). The contract for Gafford can be for up to five seasons, including what is left on his current deal. One option for Washington is to bypass an extension, decline his team option for 2022-23 and sign Gafford to a new contract in 2022 when he is a restricted free agent. This would allow the Wizards to take advantage of his $2 million cap hold and use cap space (if available) in free agency. If the Wizards elect not to decline the option next offseason, Gafford would become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
• Thomas Bryant and Chandler Hutchison are also extension eligible. Bryant is coming off a torn ACL, and it is highly unlikely the Wizards extend him. Hutchison was part of the trade that brought Gafford from Chicago. He has missed 73 games since the Bulls drafted him in the first round in 2018, and there is not enough of a body of work to sign him to a new contract. The deadline to extend him is the last day prior to the start of the regular season.
The draft
The Wizards will pick in the middle of the first round. They traded their second-round pick to Utah five years ago, and it has since landed with New Orleans.
As part of the Russell Westbrook trade, the Wizards will send Houston a lottery-protected first in 2023. The pick is top-12 protected in 2024, top-10 in 2025 and top-eight in 2026. It will turn into second-round picks in 2026 and 2027 if not conveyed by then.
Here's how ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have Washington selecting in July:
No. 15 (own): Usman Garuba, PF, Spain
GM Tommy Sheppard has made two draft-night trades in his first two seasons with the Wizards. Last year, the Wizards traded Admiral Schofield, whom they'd selected No. 37 overall, to Oklahoma City for the draft rights to Cassius Winston (No. 53) and a 2024 second from Memphis.
The Wizards' season was on the precipice as early as Jan. 12. Although Washington had just beaten Phoenix, the team was 3-8 and about to see its roster decimated by COVID-19.
When the Wizards returned after a two-week hiatus, they lost nine of their next 12 games, falling to 6-17, the second-worst record in the NBA at the time.
What transpired over the next three months was nothing short of incredible. Russell Westbrook reverted back to his MVP form, Bradley Beal competed with Stephen Curry in a scoring race that went down to the season's final week, and the under-the-radar trade-deadline deal for Daniel Gafford gave the roster a boost for the final stretch.
Add it all up and the Wizards went 28-21 over the final 49 games, finishing in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and making the playoffs via the NBA's play-in tournament before losing in the first round to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The offseason in Washington now turns to the future of Bradley Beal and the delicate balancing act of bringing back free agents (Ish Smith, Robin Lopez, Raul Neto) while also staying below the luxury tax.
The future of Bradley Beal
The future of Washington's franchise player will be at the forefront of the NBA universe this offseason. Beal is set to enter the last guaranteed year of his contract (he has a $37.3 million player option in 2022-23), and the Wizards have finished below .500 in each of the past three seasons.
That's the kind of combination that, in the modern NBA, has frequently led to a superstar asking for a trade -- just ask James Harden. Even as Beal insisted this season that he wasn't looking for a way out of Washington, rumors swirled around his future. There will continue to be speculation, with some insisting the Wizards should trade Beal and start a rebuild and others pushing for the All-Star guard to commit long term.
Rather than join the speculation, we'll lay out the options facing the team and player in the coming months.
The pitch to return
Beal has made it well known that he wants to stay in Washington.
"I hate change," he told The Undefeated's Marc Spears in March. "If it happens, it happens. But if I can control it, I will finish in D.C. ... Jumping ship is kind of the easy way out. But at the same time, there's no guarantee that you'll win."
Those comments help explain why Beal signed a two-year, $70.1 million extension in 2019, when he had two years left on the four-year deal he signed in 2016. He could have played out that contract, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
No one would have faulted him at the time, given that the Wizards were coming off a 32-50 season -- just their second losing season in Beal's career to that point -- and the health of his backcourt partner John Wall was deteriorating.
While the Wizards are again coming off a losing season that resulted in a quick playoff exit, general manager Tommy Sheppard has plenty of positives to point to as he tries to reinforce Beal's desire to stay in Washington.
The pitch will focus on the team's record since the All-Star break and why this roster -- with a few minor tweaks in the offseason -- can contend for a top-five seed in the East. The deadline-day trade with Chicago will certainly be highlighted, as it proves that the front office can find under-the-radar talent like Gafford to help supplement the team's superstar core.
Beal also has a strong relationship with Russell Westbrook, who is under contract through the 2022-23 season and, like Beal, is eligible for an extension this offseason.
"He's a great character guy," Beal said of Westbrook. "And his approach to the basketball game is what helped me have the year I'm having. And it helped us turn the year around. His level of accountability, you want that. He pushes himself to levels that you don't even think exist."
Of course, a lot of the Wizards' potential success moving forward hinges on the development of their lottery picks: Deni Avdija (No. 9 in 2020), Rui Hachimura (No. 9 in 2019) and the player Washington selects in the first round this July. Because close to $90 million would be owed to Westbrook and Beal in 2022-23, the Wizards will need their former lottery picks who are on rookie scale contracts to develop into starters or key contributors off the bench -- or show enough potential to be used in a trade to bring back an established player to put alongside Beal and Westbrook.
And what about head coach Scott Brooks?
Brooks is in the last year of his contract, and Beal will want to know who is in charge in the future.
Brooks has done a solid job of navigating this roster through adversity this season, and Beal should be consulted on what direction Washington goes: retaining Brooks on a long-term contract or looking for his replacement.
Still, even if Beal doesn't ask for a trade, he could tell the Wizards that he would like to play out next season and explore his options in 2022. There is a $54 million difference between signing an extension now and waiting until the 2022 offseason, and Beal could merely be looking at this from a business perspective.
That would leave Washington with a franchise-altering decision: Does it keep Beal at the risk of losing him for nothing or explore the trade market?
The extension
Beal will reach 10 years of service in 2022 and as a result can sign an extension worth 35% of the salary cap, starting on Oct. 17. A four-year extension that starts in 2022-23 -- replacing his $36.4 million player option -- would have a starting salary of $40.5 million and be worth a total of $181.5 million over the life of the deal. However, that's still $54 million shy of the $235 million he could get if he waits to become a free agent in 2022, then re-signs with the Wizards on a five-year deal.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Wizards are on the same financial playing field with an extension as a team that could sign Beal with cap space in 2022. Beal's total salary from a four-year extension would be only $7 million more than what he could get on a max contract from another team in the summer of 2022.
Still, Beal has repeatedly made it clear that it's not all about money for him, nor is it about chasing rings.
"For me, I am kind of loyal to a fault," he said. "I'm kind of like [Damian Lillard] in this realm, that it would probably mean so much more to you winning it in Portland or winning it in D.C. because you know you [were] grinding all those years."
The trade market
Beal should not be cast as a villain if he wakes up one morning this offseason and realizes that the best chance for team success is outside of Washington. The Wizards have had nine years to build a successful roster around Beal and have failed to do so to this point. Since Beal was drafted in 2012, the Wizards have reached the playoffs five times but have never advanced beyond the second round.
While there will be an overflow of teams in the waiting room in the event that Beal asks out, it's not known if any of them will be willing to offer a Harden-like package of multiple first-round picks, draft swaps and young players for a player who could become a free agent in 2022.
The Knicks have the right package of young players (RJ Barrett) and draft picks to appease the Wizards. But would they follow the same mistakes from the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade and gut their roster when they could simply sign him with cap space in 2022?
The Grizzlies are not a free-agent destination for All-NBA players and could take a swing for a fence type deal with a collection of draft picks (nine over the next seven years) and young players on team-friendly contracts (De'Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks).
However, is the risk worth the reward if Beal leaves as a free agent the following year? Remember that Harden had three years left on his contract (the third was a player option) when he was traded, and Brooklyn was on the short list of teams he wanted to play for.
For the Wizards to maximize the value in return, Beal would have to give them a list of teams with whom he would re-sign as a free agent.
The luxury tax
Washington straddled the luxury tax line this season and will have to do the same in 2021-22. That is what happens when $80 million in salary (61.5% of Washington's payroll) is tied up in two players.
Including the rookie-scale salary for their first-round pick, the Wizards are $9.7 million below the luxury tax line before the offseason begins and are left prioritizing their own free agents: Robin Lopez, Ish Smith, Garrison Mathews, Alex Len and Raul Neto.
The five players have all shown their value at some point of the season.
Mathews is coming off a two-way contract and played in 60 games this season (starting 22). Despite a reduced role down the stretch (including two DNPs), Mathews shot 38.7% from 3. Mathews is a restricted free agent and because he was on the roster for two seasons has established early Bird rights.
Neto and Smith combined to average 15 points and 6.1 assists coming off the bench this season. Neto also averaged a career high in minutes (21.7).
Lopez played in every game this season, starting five and providing strong value both on the court and with his veteran leadership. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 19.1 minutes.
Len found a home in Washington after being waived by the Raptors after playing in only seven games. In 36 starts this season, Len averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The return of Thomas Bryant from a torn ACL and the play of Daniel Gafford could result in Lopez and/or Len becoming cap casualties if either player is looking for more than the veteran minimum.
Offseason cap breakdownWizards' Projected Cap SheetPLAYER2021-22 SALARY1. Russell Westbrook$44,211,1462. Bradley Beal$34,502,1293. Davis Bertans$16,000,0004. Thomas Bryant$8,666,6675. Rui Hachimura$4,916,1606. Deni Avdija$4,692,8407. Chandler Hutchison$4,019,4598. Daniel Gafford$1,782,621 (non-guaranteed)9. Anthony Gill$1,517,981 (non-guaranteed)10. Caleb Homesley$1,517,981 (non-guaranteed)11. Robin Lopez1$8,760,000 (free agent hold)12. Ish Smith2$7,800,000 (free agent hold)13. Isaac Bonga3$2,122,822 (free agent hold)14. Raul Neto1$1,669,178 (free agent hold)15. Alex Len1$1,669,178 (free agent hold)16. Garrison Mathews4$1,669,178 (free agent hold)17. Cassius Winston5$1,489,065 (free agent hold)18. First-rounder$3,749,520 (draft hold)Guaranteed contracts$117MPartial/non-guaranteed$4.8MFree agent/draft holds$28.5MTotal$150.4MSALARY CAP$112.8MLUXURY TAX$136.6M1. Non-Bird2. Early Bird3. Restricted Bird4. Restricted Early Bird5. Restricted Non-BirdWizards' Projected Depth ChartPGSGSFPFCR. WestbrookB. BealD. AvdijaR. HachimuraT. BryantC. Homesley1C. HutchisonD. BertansD. Gafford1An. Gill11= Partial/non-guaranteed
Team needs
Avdija and Hachimura taking a big step in their development
Wing defenders off the bench
Depth at point, shooting guard, small forward and center
Resources to build the roster
The draft: first round pick
Exceptions: $5.9 million taxpayer midlevel
Player development
Cash: $5.8 million to send or receive in a trade
Dates to watch
• The Wizards have until Aug. 7 to guarantee the $1.5 million contract of Anthony Gill. The 28-year-old power forward appeared in 21 games (two starts), averaging 6.8 minutes and 2.2 points. He had a career-high 13 points (in 13 minutes) in a loss to San Antonio in late April.
• The $1.78 million non-guaranteed contract of Daniel Gafford does not have a trigger date for compensation protection until Jan. 7.
Restrictions
• The Wizards can trade only a 2021 first-round pick. The pick can be protected but cannot roll over to another season.
• Bradley Beal has a 15% trade bonus in his contract.
• The non-guaranteed contracts of Daniel Gafford and Anthony Gill do not have any trade value until they are fully protected.
Extension candidates
• Westbrook seemed more likely to be headed for another salary-dump trade or contract buyout than an extension before the season. The $130 million left on his contract when he was traded for John Wall was seen as an albatross (we heard the same thing about Chris Paul). Now Westbrook is coming off another season where he averaged a triple-double (fourth time in five seasons), posting career highs in rebounds and assists per game. While it is unlikely that Washington extends him, especially given that Westbrook would be 34 in the first year of a new deal, he is eligible for an extension. The Wizards can add up to three seasons beyond the $44.2 million and $47.1 million owed to Westbrook over the next two years. The dollar amount can vary from the minimum to $49.5 million. League rules do not allow for Westbrook to decline his $47.1 million option and sign an extension for less money in 2022-23.
• The Wizards should say thank you to the Bulls not only for the trade that gave them Gafford but also for signing the former second-round pick to a team-friendly four-year, $6.1 million contract in 2019. Gafford averaged a career-high 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in a Wizards uniform, and because he's under contract for two more seasons, he's eligible to negotiate an extension this summer. The maximum starting salary in the first year (either 2022-23 or 2023-24) is $12.5 million (120% above the estimated average player salary). The contract for Gafford can be for up to five seasons, including what is left on his current deal. One option for Washington is to bypass an extension, decline his team option for 2022-23 and sign Gafford to a new contract in 2022 when he is a restricted free agent. This would allow the Wizards to take advantage of his $2 million cap hold and use cap space (if available) in free agency. If the Wizards elect not to decline the option next offseason, Gafford would become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
• Thomas Bryant and Chandler Hutchison are also extension eligible. Bryant is coming off a torn ACL, and it is highly unlikely the Wizards extend him. Hutchison was part of the trade that brought Gafford from Chicago. He has missed 73 games since the Bulls drafted him in the first round in 2018, and there is not enough of a body of work to sign him to a new contract. The deadline to extend him is the last day prior to the start of the regular season.
The draft
The Wizards will pick in the middle of the first round. They traded their second-round pick to Utah five years ago, and it has since landed with New Orleans.
As part of the Russell Westbrook trade, the Wizards will send Houston a lottery-protected first in 2023. The pick is top-12 protected in 2024, top-10 in 2025 and top-eight in 2026. It will turn into second-round picks in 2026 and 2027 if not conveyed by then.
Here's how ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have Washington selecting in July:
No. 15 (own): Usman Garuba, PF, Spain
GM Tommy Sheppard has made two draft-night trades in his first two seasons with the Wizards. Last year, the Wizards traded Admiral Schofield, whom they'd selected No. 37 overall, to Oklahoma City for the draft rights to Cassius Winston (No. 53) and a 2024 second from Memphis.
