The Washington Wizards’ full-blown rebuild is here after 2 polarizing moves

The Washington Wizards’ rebuild is off to a bold start. 

The Washington Wizards are clearly headed in a new direction. We know that no contract is unmovable, but Bradley Beal’s five-year, $251 million contract was pretty darn close. The prior management also included the rare no-trade clause, diminishing the likelihood of a trade altogether. Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Wizards, made a change to his front office by hiring Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.

Winger, who is the president of Monumental Sports including the Wizards, Mystics, and the Go-Go (G-league affiliate of the Wizards), has spent some time under Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder during their heyday of KD, Westbrook, and Harden. His prior job came in Los Angeles and not the Lakers, but eh Clippers. He was pivotal in the trade of Blake Griffin, a highly-paid player, in a salary cap move that would allow them to sign the dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.

Griffin was a top pick and a star in LA, but that didn’t stop Winger from moving him with a long play in the works.

Will Dawkins spent almost 15 years in the OKC program and saw the rise and fall and rise again of the franchise. Dawkins was pivotal in the trade of Westbrook to Houston for who? Chris Paul. Westbrook was the one who stayed when KD left town and joined the Warriors. He was the fan favorite in OKC but that didn’t prevent Dawkins from moving him as well.

These two have changed the course for the franchise. The mediocracy of the Beal-led team, ever since John Wall’s injuries, had become redundant. You know what they say about doing the same thing over and over again? Well, the Wizards are no lunatics, and moving Beal’s contract was just the start.

The compensation can be questioned but when you consider the massive contract and the no-trade clause they got what they could. The new front office’s biggest victory was getting off all that money. An underrated player in the deal was the “veteran” point guard Chris Paul, who was later moved to Golden State for the inconsistent but young guard Jordan Poole.

The Wizards are essentially becoming the Thunder of the East, minus the draft picks. If Poole turns out to be the next Gilbert Arenas (drafted by Golden State, then moved across the country to D.C.) the Wizards would be ecstatic! Buying low on a young dynamic guard was a smart move by Winger and Dawkins.

Once Beal was gone, the next domino to fall was that of Kristaps Porzingis. Embracing a full rebuild, any veterans must go. As skilled as KP was last year he doesn’t fit the rebuilding timeline. Pouncing on the trade market, they sent KP to Boston as the Grizzlies got Marcus Smart and the Wizards got Tyus Jones. I see this as a win-win-win for all parties involved. Dropping money if you’re the Wizards, getting attitude if your Memphis, and getting size if your Boston.

Not to mention the 2023 NBA Draft. With the 7th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards selected Bilal Coulibaly from France. Some consider this a reach, but if the Wizards see Giannis-level potential in this kid, the wait will be worth it.

The nation’s capital isn’t known for its patience, but with this new front office and the power to make such foundational moves, the future finally looks bright in D.C.