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NBA Offseason Wrap Up, Part 2: A Wild LeBron-less Eastern Conference

By Daniel Schmahl

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half 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 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: John Wall #2 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards talk against the Miami Heat 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: John Wall #2 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards talk against the Miami Heat 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) /

6. Washington Wizards

Key additions: Dwight Howard (FA), Austin Rivers (trade), Jeff Green (FA)

Key losses: Marcin Gortat (trade), Mike Scott (FA)

DWIGHT HOWARD IS A WIZARD! After signing for two years and $11 million, you can add the nation’s capital to the list of stops on the Dwight-train – franchise number six in the last eight seasons. While Wizards Twitter will have you believe that ’09 Howard is falling down from the rafters into their laps, there’s a good chance of failure here. The public divorce from Orlando in ’12 tainted his image league-wide and he never recovered. One of basketball’s five best players from ’08-’12, it’s been a sad fall from grace for the former slam dunk champion.

To sum up the value of Dwight Howard right now: Michael Jordan would rather pay Bismack Biyombo $34 million until 2020 opposed to keeping Dwight for one more season at just under $24 million. Howard can look no further than his immaturity as to why he’s taken over Ersan Ilyasova’s role as the NBA’s most prominent suitcase.

He walked away from a contract with the Lakers, if only because the lights shone too bright to carry on the legacy of the franchise’s gifted giants. He later whined about his fit in Houston, eventually signing with the Hawks. Then he whined about his fit in Atlanta, leading him to sign with the Hornets. The end result was the same. I’m seeing a pattern that is going to drive Scott Brooks crazy.

Adding Howard, Austin Rivers (notably disliked), and the immortal Jeff Green to a locker room that had major problems last year doesn’t exactly scream great idea. The ’18 Wizards were plagued by in-house fighting and injuries yet they just brought in three terrible locker room guys who are constantly hurt. It’s a lot like bringing a 60 oz. of Kettel One to an AA meeting to enlighten the mood.

Star point guard John Wall ripped the team following a “disappointing season“, and rightfully so. Washington has talent; when healthy, Wall and All-Star Bradley Beal are in the conversation for the best back-court in the East. The major concern is that when Wall’s contract extension kicks in after this season, him, Beal, forward Otto Porter, and journeyman Ian Mahinmi will combine to make $107.6 million and could eat up 95% of Washington’s salary for 2020, forcing them to fill out their roster on minimum deals and exceptions. Not very impressive for a team I like to call Portland-East.

Wizards projected record: 44-38

Wizards chances of making the playoffs: 65%

Wizards chances of winning the East: 2%

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