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Believe it or not, the NBA will start soon with training camps opening.
Before we turn the page on the last season, it’s crucial to take a final look at how the Washington Wizards and its front office navigated year zero.
The last thing any Wizards fan wants to hear is that Michael Winger and the current leadership made decisions reminiscent of Ernie Grunfeld or Tommy Sheppard, potentially impacting the team’s future.
One can argue that is what happened with Washington’s handling of Tyus Jones, knowing Jones was on an expiring deal.
With the Wizards in a complete tear-down and rebuild, the collection of assets is essential. In Washington’s case, Winger’s group was hurt by Sheppard’s decision to give Bradley Beal a max contract with a no-trade clause instead of trading Beal. That meant the current Wizards front office could only get pennies on a dollar for Beal when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
That’s why the Wizards need to maximize what they can get, even if it’s second-round draft picks. According to SI, Minnesota made an offer for Jones. The Wizards turned it down because they reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Jones.
As the trade deadline passed, it was a head-scratcher that Washington chose not to move as an asset that was in demand and that they had little to no chance of keeping.
The Wizards would have a second chance to receive compensation for Jones, but it would take Jones’ cooperation. A sign-and-trade would get Jones more money, and the Wizards would receive assets in return. Yet that didn’t happen either.
The gamble didn’t pay off for either side. Jones became an unrestricted free agent and signed a one-year, $3M contract, which is well under what he was seeking.
The Wizards didn’t receive any assets for Jones. Had Sheppard made the same mistake, it would have been another example of the gross incompetence that has plagued the organization for over a generation. Still, Winger’s group has gotten a free pass. Perhaps the last one they’ll receive.
