Washington masterfully flipped complex contracts and expiring deals, culminating in the acquisition of Trae Young. A strategic asset management masterclass unfolds.
When Michael Winger, Will Dawkins, and Travis Schlenk assumed their positions with Monumental Basketball in the 2023 offseason, they were dealt a mess generated by the many failures of previous regimes.
Bradley Beal's $251 million dollar supermax contract wasn't just bad because it was a massive overpay --- it included a full no-trade clause. The move was puzzling. Only 10 players in NBA history had received the clause, and Beal was not on the same level as those players.
On June 22nd, Washington sent Beal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, four future first-round pick swaps and six future second-round picks. 930 days later, this move culminates in Washington making its most significant move of the rebuild.
The Wizards acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Washington sheds its largest expiring deal in McCollum, buying low on a four-time NBA All-Star, who no longer fit Atlanta's plans.
How did we get here?
It wasn't an easy process. It's been tumultuous on a fanbase that's dealt with years and years of futility. Monumental urged fans to trust their plan. Lots of losing followed. No team has lost more games since 2022-2023 than Washington.
Losing was expected --- in fact, it was a welcomed result. The Wizards knew they wanted to build a young core of players through the draft. Washington began building, but that's not the whole story. It started acquiring assets.
The Wizards trading Poole last summer was a move made with foresight. The Wizards traded him and Sadiq Bey, two contracts that had two-years left on their deals. They swapped Poole for McCollum's expensive expiring salary. Now, the Wizards move McCollum to acquire Young.
Essentially, Washington turned one of the worst contracts in league history into Young without having to give up any significant draft capital. Whether or not he becomes a piece that sticks around long-term remains to be seen, but this could go a few directions.
Young indicated in the process he wanted to go somewhere that would offer a contract extension. However, Washington and Young are not expected to engage in immediate conversations regarding an extension, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
If no extension is reached and Young opts into his $49 million dollar player option, Young will play for Washington on an expiring contract. Essentially, Washington can test his fit with the young core of players, or utilize his expiring deal as an asset to trade.
Either way, whenever Young does play for the Wizards, he becomes a massive addition to their backcourt -- which has lacked playmaking prowess throughout the rebuild. Young is second in NBA history in assist percentage, which is the percentage of teammate baskets a player assists while on the floor.
Player like Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George, can majorly benefit from a true passing threat like Young. Young has averaged over 10 assists per game in his last three seasons, including an NBA best 11.6 per game last year.
Despite the likely $49 million dollar salary Washington pays Young next year, it will still have plenty of cap flexibility to either utilize in free agency -- or take on another bad contract for more assets.
Managing assets this way was always the plan for Washington. Through due diligence and foresight, Washington created one of the best financial situations in the league.
Now, concerns arise because of Washington's upcoming draft situation. The Wizards first-round pick is top 8 protected, meaning the Knicks would acquire the rights to their pick if they fall to nine. A bottom-four finish in the league guarantees they keep the pick.
Young makes the Wizards better. Would it potentially ruin Washington's plans for the draft? It's a reasonable concern, but Washington has appeared hell bent on keeping that pick throughout the season. I don't imagine any possibility where they put the massively important draft pick in jeopardy.
Last year, Brandon Ingram sprained his ankle in December with the Pelicans. He was traded to the Raptors in February and missed the remainder of the season. Maybe this is the precedent Washington can follow. It's reported it will give Young time to heal.
No matter what happens in the endgame with this blockbuster deal, it was made with purpose. Washington's front office has moved with purpose and a plan -- and that's what might be the most exciting part.