The Washington Wizards took further steps to commit to a rebuild Monday, opting to work out a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls for point guard Tomas Satoransky and sign veteran Ish Smith as a stopgap.
Satoransky, a restricted free agent, will sign a three-year, $30 million contract with Chicago and in exchange, the Wizards will receive a 2020 second-round pick and the rights to swap a future second-round pick. The Wizards had the right to match Satoransky’s deal, but ultimately passed at that price.
Satoransky’s deal marked another instance this offseason the Wizards punted on retaining one of its own free agents. On Sunday, the Wizards allowed forward Bobby Portis sign a two-year, $31 million deal with the New York Knicks. Washington reportedly rescinded Portis’ qualifying offer, removing the forward’s restricted free agent status, after the 24-year-old agreed with the Knicks. Washington also saw veteran Trevor Ariza sign a two-year, $25 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, though Ariza was free to sign anywhere.
Since John Wall found out he tore his Achilles in February — putting next season in doubt — the Wizards have significantly adjusted their plans. They traded away Otto Porter and Markieff Morris at the trade deadline to get out of the luxury tax. Owner Ted Leonsis later fired longtime general manager Ernie Grunfeld, clearing the way for Tommy Sheppard to run the team on an interim basis.
So far under Sheppard’s direction, the Wizards appear focused on acquiring young players and stockpiling assets to build around star Bradley Beal.
While the Wizards have let Portis and Satoransky go, Washington did quickly address its top priority in free agency — re-signing center Thomas Bryant to a three-year, $25 million deal. Bryant showed promise last year, providing much-needed energy and emerging as the team’s starting center once Dwight Howard went down with an injury.
Beyond Bryant, the Wizards used the ninth pick in the draft on forward Rui Hachimura, a versatile forward who Washington sees as a “late bloomer.” The Wizards see plenty of upside with Hachimura, while also feeling like he can contribute right away.
Last week, the Wizards also acquired three players from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the Anthony Davis trade with New Orleans. By allowing the Lakers to dump salary, the Wizards netted center Moritz Wagner, who was drafted 25th overall last year.
Smith, meanwhile, comes to the Wizards on a two-year, $12 million deal. The 30-year-old is not young, but started 67 games for the Pistons over the last three seasons. Smith could be serviceable at the position while Wall recovers.
But while the Wizards have taken a patient approach in free agency, there are still trade-offs to each move.
Satoransky had shown considerable progress the last two seasons — going from fringe rotation player to a solid starter. He averaged 8.9 points and five assists per game last season. At 6-foot-7, Satoransky has considerable size for his position and has the ability to defend multiple spots. He’ll now go to compete for the starting point guard spot in Chicago.
And in the big picture, there’s an argument to be made the Wizards didn’t get the most out of their assets. Washington reportedly turned down a chance to gain a first-round pick for Porter in February because they would have also had to take back enough salary that wouldn’t have gotten them out of the luxury tax. They also opted to not trade Ariza — who they had to give up Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers to acquire — at the deadline, keeping him for a failed playoff push.
The Wizards still aren’t in a great shape financially, either. Wall’s four-year, $171 million supermax kicks in next season, and as of now, the Wizards have $116 million in salary. They can trim that amount by $9 million, however, if they waive their non-guaranteed contracts.
The Wizards have two more years of Beal under contract and are reportedly planning on offering him a three-year, $111 million extension this summer. The team does not plan to trade their 25-year-old star despite multiple inquiries, according to multiple reports.
Beal, who has repeatedly said he does not want to leave the Wizards, told The Washington Post he would be open to discussing an extension, but wanted to see what the team did first in free agency.
“You want to win and make sure you’re in a position to do so,” Beal said.
The Wizards, as of now, don’t seem to be any closer to competing next year. The question becomes whether Beal is willing to wait until they are.
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