NBA: Biggest storyline for each team heading into the second half of 2017-18

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during he first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during he first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards puts up a shot between Bam Adebayo #13 and James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat in the second half at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards puts up a shot between Bam Adebayo #13 and James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat in the second half at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Washington Wizards

Is a next step possible? 

The Washington Wizards have roughly $70 million tied up to John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter over the next few seasons. That’s not terrible, but considering this team is currently a 5 seed in the East, and behind the Miami Heat, who has no star on its team, it’s not great.

This team is either underachieving or these players are not nearly as good as we may all believe them to be. Add in the fact that they can’t really add any players via free agency because of the dead money tied up with Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi, and it makes circumstances all the more complicated for the Wizards.

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Washington needs to figure out how to take the next step, but I’m not exactly sure how it can happen with these bad contracts.