Dark Faze wrote:Wall is not being moved lol. Not with this GM and owner, who have shown repeatedly that they'll let follow their core people off a mountain before considering altering it.
I can't see an Otto move that could be made that would would work as a salary dump while also being able to even mildly justify it to the fanbase. Basically, you'd need to move him to a team that somehow had a top pick and expirings. Most teams don't value Otto for a top pick, or would be deep enough in a tank already to where it wouldn't make sense. The best chance at an Otto move might have been with Cleveland--something like Otto and the Net pick for expirings.
If an Ian move is to be made, it makes a lot more sense for it to be made this summer than next. If the move is made next year, then it's a real waste because you're only getting out of his contract a year early. Yes, there's considerable savings from the tax, but one years tax savings is not worth a first imo--because said player could represent a cheap quality player locked up, something the team will desperately need moving forward. I could see them still moving the pick if they could get a "good" contract back, something like the deals Jae Crowder and Morris were on--locked up long term on the cheap. But completely abandoning Ian and the 19 pick for years tax savings via an expiring is just very unlikely imo. It's just bad business no matter the size of the tax hit.
If I had to guess, Porter will be traded within ~12 months. I see people discussing trading Wall but that is pretty obviously not going to be something the Wizards consider. Trading Porter, for various reasons, is most likely they course of action the organization will take. It was pretty obvious the moment he signed that max contract that he wouldn't be finishing the deal out in DC.. in terms of the optics, it's just too much money for the "third/sometimes fourth"-wheel kinda player that he is currently. Otto is a very good role player, but his salary is hard to justify if he never elevates his role on the team.
There are plenty of deals to be made, a lot of teams could out there could desperately use Porter's length + shooting and don't have better uses for that salary. Essentially you'd be looking for expiring contracts + young player/pick. Look at Denver for instance, I see a lot of potential trades there. For instance
Porter + 2nd for Chandler + Faried + J Hernangomez + DEN protected 1st.
Chandler and Faried deals expire and lower Washington's tax bill after 2019. The Wiz also get the Den 1st rounder to add another cheap replacement wing prospect in the draft, and Hernangomez who is young and somewhat intriguing. For Denver, they have no starting-caliber SF and Otto would fit like a glove next to Jokic longterm. This locks them into a Murray/Harris/Porter/Lyles/Jokic core which is pretty killer and almost has GSW-esque upside offensively.
Basically for any team that needs desperately needs wing shooting and has expirings + a young prospect/future picks, you could probably try to work a Porter trade.