Dwight Howard, Jeff Green played for free for Wizards

In separate and thrifty moves, the Wizards stepped up their rotation on Tuesday, signing agreements on one – year contracts with top veterans Dwight Howard and Jeff Green. A source confirmed that Howard would receive the mid-level taxpayer exception in Washington ($ 5.3 million), and that Green would receive the minimum of $ 2.4 million for veterans. While moves do not dramatically change their fate, the Wizards have been able to attract experienced talent at a cost that poses little risk. Dwight Howard

After Howard's unceremonious exit from Charlotte – with the Hornets ready to absorb two years and $ 32 million from Timofey Mozgov's presence to unload him – the veteran center finds a point of victory. relatively soft landing in Washington. His market was not particularly lucrative, and with DeMarcus Cousins ​​contenting himself with the exception of mid-level, it makes sense for Howard to do the same in a market where little "money" is available. Teams have interest or are able to sign players in the ceiling space. The Wizards can offer him a spot this season after Marcin Gortat for Austin Rivers, and his minutes should be a necessary upgrade to Ian Mahinmi and Jason Smith. Despite his many criticisms and history of problems in the league locker room, Howard averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds while still playing 81 games with the Hornets last season, and he remained undeniably productive player. At the age of 33, he made a double-double in each of his 14 seasons in the NBA and should fit perfectly into the hole left by Gortat. The question is to what extent Howard 's numbers contribute directly to the success of the team and how much defensive help he can provide as he gets older, with the league' s pace of play and a proliferation of games. broadcast offenses that offend his forces

forget personalities and off-road problems to offer players new starts. While Washington has done nothing dramatic this offseason, dragging the bridge around John Wall (whose maximum extension begins next season), Bradley Beal and Otto Porter were a sensible path to potential improvement as the Eastern Conference is destabilized by LeBron James' move to Los Angeles. They had a hole, they had to plug it in, and they did it with a known amount. With limited money in hand, it is a smart bet. The quality of the decision will ultimately depend on the balance that will keep Howard engaged and happy. For a year in a salary post that had to be filled, the movement itself is fine, if not shaking.

Grade: B

Jeff Green

Party to his sixth team in five seasons, Green is an incoherent bankable frontcourt option that, to his credit, has experienced some resurgence in the playoffs with the Cavaliers. Originally from the DMV area who attended Georgetown, the 31-year-old striker comes home to try to increase the hopes of the Wizards. He will likely move into a role left by Mike Scott's departure to the Clippers.

Green averaged 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting a 54% record on two attempts last season, plus 31.2% from three and 86% of the line. While his defensive contributions and his overall decision-making may be questionable, a player like Green who has playoff experience, juice that stays in the tank and can offer just enough space and of size for Wizards. Similar to his time in Cleveland, he should benefit from playing with playmakers and quality markers that can limit the weight of his responsibility. And even if it does not make a huge dent in their total wins, there were certainly worse ways for Washington to meet a need.

Grade: B