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The series of moves that turned John Wall into Russell Westbrook in Spencer Dinwiddie, Aaron Holiday, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the reason Tommy Sheppard ultimately landed the Wizards’ top basketball executive. .
It’s fair to question some of his talent moves and assessments, but engineering a five-team trade is a master class in patience, negotiation, and relationship building. Ask someone who knows Sheppard and he’ll tell you these are his strengths. He knows everyone. He listens to everyone. Everyone loves and respects him. And when other executives deal with it, they may not get exactly what they want, but they can live with what they get.
Westbrook’s nighttime trade plan for the three former Lakers is now expanded to include Dinwiddie, the starting point keeper the Wizards desperately needed. As you would expect in a five-team deal, it’s complex. To recap: the net-net for Washington is Westbrook, Chandler Hutchison, and some draft guarantees (second-round pick and first-round pick swap) for a starting PG, backup PG, starting SF, or G / F high minute, and another potential starter at either of the advanced points.
Now, let’s not go crazy about what this means for the Wizards next season. No one they have acquired is great, or likely to be. But, as I wrote before, the team needs a starting SF, a production upgrade at PF, a size in the backcourt, a starting PG (after having treated Westbrook) and a production down center until Thomas Bryant returned from his ACL injury. .
Sheppard and the front office deserve a ton of credit for checking all of those things on the to-do list while also incorporating swappable spares for later. While they’ve done well this offseason, it’s also fair to point out that the main reason the mediocre players they’ve acquired are an upgrade is because the team were so short on key areas last season. But again, credit is due – with limited player acquisition resources, the Wizards have improved the overall roster.
Here’s a look at the new arrivals:
- Spencer dinwiddie, PG – At 6-5, Dinwiddie brings size and toughness to the backcourt. Its overall production has been basically average. His rating in my PPA metric (in PPA, 100 is average, higher is better, 45 is the replacement level) over the past five seasons and 7,612 minutes is 101. His peak is 117 in 2017-18, which he called with an 85 and 109. He’s a solid scorer and playmaker, but a below-par three-point shooter and average defender. At $ 62 million over three seasons, that’s likely a modest overpayment, but it’s not obvious. If he stays in good health, he’s a good bet to provide the team with a solid PG game over the next three seasons.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pape, G / F – At 6-5, the Wizards would have considered KCP as the starting SF next season. He’s strong and tough and performed well in the Lakers’ championship race in the bubble, and he would be a massive upgrade from the trash replacement level Washington rolled out last season. Whether he starts or comes off the bench behind Corey Kispert, KCP is likely to get more than 33 minutes per game at SF and SG. He’s well established as an average – the PPA peak was 110 in 2017-18, which was also the only season he ranked above average. Last year: 95.
- Kyle kuzma, F – Could start at either point before or come off the bench. Could also be traded or set the stage for someone else’s move. He’s another player in the middle of the pack. Last season his PPA was 95, which was the best score of his career so far.
- Montrezl Harrell, C – Above average regular season player who excels coming off the bench. He’s played off the field in the last two playoffs, but the Wizards are in a position where manufacturing the playoffs are far from guaranteed. If Bryant returns healthy and efficient, one or the other could be traded.
- Aaron vacation, PG – As a backup PG for a few minutes per game, he should be fine. He was at replacement level last season (and his rookie year) and was significantly below average in 2019-20. He’s a good shot and an average playmaker who defends well despite being 6-0.
Assuming the Wizards don’t make any major moves before the season, their rotation will likely look like this:
PG: Dinwiddie, Raul Neto, Holidays
SG: Beal, KCP
SF: KCP, Kuzma, Kispert, Avdija
PF: Hachimura, Bertans, Kuzma
C: Gafford, Harrell (until Bryant returns)
The advanced points look like a kind of dead end, but it’s really not because all the players have different flavors than the average. While either KCP or Kuzma would be okay with starting SF, I think the team could still benefit from swapping 2-3 guys from the frontcourt for a starting wing … if one becomes available. … and maybe another PG to take the probable place of Holiday rotation.
Still, given Washington’s meager arsenal of assets, Sheppard and his company did well to improve and flesh out last season’s skeletal roster and give the team the flexibility for extra moves in the fields. months to come.
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