The Wizards effectively have a temporary $19.5M "Deluxe TPE"

[nate33]

The Westbrook trade won't be consummated until August 6th because they're waiting for the 2021-22 salaries to kick in, which eliminates Kuzma's poison pill provision. So the trade can be altered between now and then, bringing in an additional team if desired.

With the way the deal was structed, the Wizards sent out Westbrook's $44M salary, technically allowing them to bring back up to $55M in salary under the 125% rule. They are currently bringing back just $35.5M in salary (KCP + Kuzma + Harrell), leaving $19.5M in salary flexibility. They can amend the trade and utilize that salary flexibility almost like a TPE. Indeed, it's better than a TPE because it can be combined with another player. For example, they can send Chandler Hutchison's $4M contract some place and bring back a salary totaling 125% of Hutchison's salary ($5M) plus the aforementioned $19.5M. So they could swap Hutchison straight up for a player earning $24.5M.

The question is, how could they leverage this flexibility in a way that best suits their purposes?

Ideally, they acquire a quality starting PG, but if all they could do was buy a future pick by absorbing a bad contract, that's still better than nothing. As far as outgoing players, they definitely wouldn't mind sending out Hutchison, and they would probably like to send out one of Bertans or Kuzma because there are too many forwards on the roster.

One idea I had was to just absorb Sato from Chicago. If Chicago lands Lonzo Ball, they'll be overloaded at PG and might consider buying out the remaining $10M of Sato's deal (with his $5M buyout clause). Instead, they could just give Sato to Washington (and maybe Washington extracts a future 2nd rounder for saving them $5M).

Any other ideas?

[BBallFreak]

Toronto could reroute Dragic to Washington, but I'm not sure what Washington would need to absorb him for the year.

[pillwenney]

Toronto could reroute Dragic to Washington, but I'm not sure what Washington would need to absorb him for the year.

This is interesting if Washington wants to continue to compete right now.

[HartfordWhalers]

Sounds like it is just enough to take Dragic if given the incentive to?

Sato and Thad are interesting players who need a decision. Similarly, George Hill guarantees today, so in theory you could do something where Philly got a better player and Washington was paid to take Hill.

Most likely, Washington just lowers their payroll though, right?

[nate33]

Most likely, Washington just lowers their payroll though, right?

Why? They're not going to pay a luxury tax, but they're not so cheap that they'd miss out on an opportunity to use available cap room to acquire an asset.

[nate33]

Toronto could reroute Dragic to Washington, but I'm not sure what Washington would need to absorb him for the year.

That could definitely work out. I think the Wizards deserve a high 2nd round pick or possibly a late 1st, but Toronto doesn't look likely to have either one in the immediate future. A Toronto pick in the mid teens seems a bit too high of a price. Maybe some type of setup where the Wizards have the right to exchange their 2nd for a Toronto 1st if the Toronto pick is #18 or later?

[HartfordWhalers]

Most likely, Washington just lowers their payroll though, right?

Why? They're not going to pay a luxury tax, but they're not so cheap that they'd miss out on an opportunity to use available cap room to acquire an asset.

Guess we will see soon.

[Godaddycurse]

Toronto could reroute Dragic to Washington, but I'm not sure what Washington would need to absorb him for the year.

That could definitely work out. I think the Wizards deserve a high 2nd round pick or possibly a late 1st, but Toronto doesn't look likely to have either one in the immediate future. A Toronto pick in the mid teens seems a bit too high of a price. Maybe some type of setup where the Wizards have the right to exchange their 2nd for a Toronto 1st if the Toronto pick is #18 or later?

We are not trading a 1st along with Lowry to acquire precious.

[nate33]

Toronto could reroute Dragic to Washington, but I'm not sure what Washington would need to absorb him for the year.

That could definitely work out. I think the Wizards deserve a high 2nd round pick or possibly a late 1st, but Toronto doesn't look likely to have either one in the immediate future. A Toronto pick in the mid teens seems a bit too high of a price. Maybe some type of setup where the Wizards have the right to exchange their 2nd for a Toronto 1st if the Toronto pick is #18 or later?

We are not trading a 1st along with Lowry to acquire precious.

Good point.

Ultimately, I'm not so sure Toronto will end up trading Lowry at all. They'll probably just let him go because whatever they get back won't be worth the cap hit.

Hmmm. Or maybe it's Miami who would be asked to pay Washington the cost of absorbing Dragic.

[Apz]

They could always send herro to washington for taking those 20m.

Im just not sure a snt for losry gonna work. Toronto dont want to get stuck with dragics contract, miami doesnt want to pay for lowry. Think it will end with just heat signing him

[BBallFreak]

They could always send herro to washington for taking those 20m.

Im just not sure a snt for losry gonna work. Toronto dont want to get stuck with dragics contract, miami doesnt want to pay for lowry. Think it will end with just heat signing him

Miami is not sending Herro anywhere. Lol. That's a massive overpay.

I would expect Miami to add a heavily protected first that turns into two seconds at most.

[killacalijatt]

Oubre?

[Benjammin]

Oubre?

Yeah, no. Been there, done that. The Wizards already have a plethora of so-so forwards on the roster.

[the_process]

If the Wizards add Bertans… is that enough to take Tobias? Got a 1st and a couple 2nds for that.

[psman2]

Bledsoe/Allen and a couple 2nds for Hutch?

Wouldn't pay much more than that.

[cjmcallist]

A couple of targets, don't know how realistic some of it is, but would be good targets for the money. Also, if they're looking to upgrade, they would need to include picks or young players.

-If they're not going into the tax, S&T for Markkanen?
-Kuzma + pick for Malcom Brogdon or Myles Turner
-pick for Marcus Smart
-Bertans + pick(s) or Kuzma + Rui to TOR for Pascal
-Something for Derrick White

[HartfordWhalers]

Bledsoe/Allen and a couple 2nds for Hutch?

Wouldn't pay much more than that.

Seems pretty far off market price.

[psman2]

Bledsoe/Allen and a couple 2nds for Hutch?

Wouldn't pay much more than that.

Seems pretty far off market price.

Maybe...depends on if there is a dump available before the trade is completed or what they are really looking for. Is Washington looking for the best player(s) they can fit into the extra space without sending assets? Then I don't have that package that bad really. I have Bledsoe at a TMLE-MLE level player still and Allen and a few 2nds bridges a lot of his negative value.

[HartfordWhalers]

Bledsoe/Allen and a couple 2nds for Hutch?

Wouldn't pay much more than that.

Seems pretty far off market price.

Maybe...depends on if there is a dump available before the trade is completed or what they are really looking for. Is Washington looking for the best player(s) they can fit into the extra space without sending assets? Then I don't have that package that bad really. I have Bledsoe at a TMLE-MLE level player still and Allen and a few 2nds bridges a lot of his negative value.

Apparently I need to read slower. I read that as Adams not Allen.

[toooskies]

Is WSH interested in turning Davis Bertans into Kevin Love?