The Wizards get high marks for rostering Bradley Beal, who’s the infrequent (relatively) affordable All-Star.
Still only 25 years old, he proceeds to lift his ceiling through expansion for a scorer, supplier and shot-creator. Moved to the driver’s seat by John Wall’s season-ending injury, Beal has come to be one of just seven players averaging at least 25 points, five assists and five rebounds.
But Washington’s stock begins once you get past Beal, tumbling.
The worry is Wall. Injuries had been a problem, but he’s never gone through something like this. He had heel operation in January, then ruptured his Achilles tendon. He hasn’t even begun.
Outside the backcourt, only Ian Mahinmi and Troy Brown Jr. have guaranteed contracts for 2019-20, while Dwight Howard holds a $5.6 million player option. The deadline deal that sent Otto Porter Jr. into the Chicago Bulls enhanced the team’s financial outlook, but it is possible some of those economies will get pumped right into maintaining veterans Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green, a source told NBC Sports’ Ben Standig.

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