NBA Mock Offseason: LA Clippers win Finals and Bradley Beal is traded

NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Washington Wizards

Roster 

Head coach: Mike D’Antoni (hired in offseason) 

2019-20 NBA season results:

  • Missed playoffs

Who they re-signed:

  • N/A

Who they signed in FA:

  • Derrick Favors signed to a two-year, full mid-level exception contract

Trades they made:

Donovan Mitchell, Evan Fournier and James Johnson for Bradley Beal and Ish Smith (multi-team trade involving Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz)

Who they drafted:

  • Drafted Tyrese Haliburton, Tyler Bey

Other moves:

  • Donovan Mitchell extended to a max contract

Summary:  The Washington Wizards make some really big changes here by firing Scott Brooks and replacing him with offensive guru Mike D’Antoni. Bradley Beal is a great fit in D’Antoni’s system but has seemed unhappy with the Wizards during his time there and D’Antoni should be confident in his ability to develop Donovan Mitchell.

Tyrese Haliburton should provide a great young backcourt complement to Mitchell while also having fresh legs to allow Wall to monitor his minutes after returning from injury. If Wall returns to his old form at all then the Wizards have a lot of nice pieces here. They do lose Davis Bertans but can’t afford to beat out the Hawks offer and overpay for someone like him with Wall’s horrid contract on the books if they are going with a younger core.

Fournier provides shooting if nothing else without the long-term money tied to him. Derrick Favors just adds to a solid frontcourt with a developing Hachimura and may even supplant Thomas Bryant as the starter. The Wizards would have an exciting team to watch and that should help sell tickets in the meantime as the roster grows together. Immediately after acquiring Mitchell, they extend him to a MAX contract to ensure he stays with the team for the long haul.