After years of normalcy, the Washington Wizards may be in full liquidation mode.
They agreed on Sunday to trade their best player, Bradley Beal, to the Phoenix Suns, and they’ve already shipped one of their more skilled players, Rui Hachimura, to the Los Angeles Lakers in late January.
In the form of big man Kristaps Porzingis, they currently have another very skilled player who could become a free agent this summer if he declines his player option for next season.
But if he opts out, the Wizards may trade him and may want to get something in return.
NBA reporter Evan Sideri underscored just how intriguing and perhaps underrated Porzingis’ talent is.
With Kristaps Porzingis believed to have picked up a $36 million option with the Wizards soon, the 7’3″ stretch big could soon be added via trade as a key piece to a contender.
Last season, Porzingis quietly put together his best season yet, playing in 65 games:
23.2 points (career-high)
8.4… pic.twitter.com/pKGrOTythI— Ivan Sidery (@esidery) June 19, 2023
The 7-foot-3 man is originally from Latvia, and as a result, many were skeptical about his prospects when he became available in the 2015 NBA Draft.
But Phil Jackson, who was then a New York Knicks executive, thought highly of him with the No. 4 pick.
Porzingis turned out to be as good as his believers thought he could be, as he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a game as a rookie, then increased his scoring to 22.7 points a game two years later. took.
This season, he established career highs in scoring (23.2 points per contest) and shooting efficiency (49.8 percent).
The knock on Porzingis has always been his durability — he’s appeared in at least 70 games only once, and he’s had several significant injuries over the years.
But when healthy, he could present a huge piece of the championship puzzle for many teams.
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The Wizards Were Reportedly Denied 1 Suns Player In Bradley Beal Trade