Why Tre Mann is Risk Worth Taking for Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have made another move that will not make headlines across the NBA, but it is a move that makes sense for where this team currently stands.

General manager Will Dawkins has acquired a former Oklahoma City connection in Tre Mann, reeling in a former first round pick who Dawkins is already familiar with from his time with the Thunder. Mann was selected 18th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, and while Dawkins obviously knows Mann the player, he also knows Tre Mann the person. That familiarity makes me wonder whether Dawkins believes there is still some untapped upside here.

And considering the price Washington paid, I don't mind finding out.

The Wizards traded away Cam Whitmore, just one year after acquiring him for two second round picks. Whitmore's season was unfortunately cut short after only 21 games following his diagnosis with deep vein thrombosis, and even before that, his inconsistent play had continued to be an issue that has plagued him throughout his NBA career.

Washington also moved on from Julian Reese. Reese had a promising start to his tenure with the Wizards, highlighted by a 20 rebound performance that injected optimism in a good amount of Wizards fans, but his lackluster Summer League showing, combined with Washington drafting Felix Okpara, who outshined him during Summer League, made Reese expendable.

Now enters Tre Mann. Mann is coming off a down inefficient season after back surgery limited him to only 53 games last year and just 13 games in 2024. However, injuries aside, there were still plenty of legitimate concerns regarding his play last year.

Mann had a high on ball percentage that ranked him in the 78th percentile, but he was extremely inefficient. He shot just 54 percent at the rim, ranking him in the 17th percentile, 24th percentile in the midrange and 36th percentile from long range. He was turnover prone, didn't apply much rim pressure and finished with a -8.7 net rating. Combine this with poor defensive play for a guard who didn’t apply much rim pressure or playmaking, and it could have you scratching your head as to why the Wizards traded for his services. 

His play last year doesn’t exactly scream "steal" to say the least. But there is a reason to take a chance on him. Mann is essentially playing for his next contract or maybe even his NBA career. He has an $8 million team option for next season, which the Wizards will probably decline. That means Mann has every incentive to ball out this season and prove that he deserves another NBA contract.

A motivated former first round pick, playing for his next contract, who also happens to have a connection with Washington's front office? Now that's interesting.

Throughout his career, Mann has shown legitimate shot creation ability. He has a good handle, can create separation off the dribble and has the ability to generate his own offense. 

He also has legitimate pick and roll playmaking ability. Mann can operate as a secondary pick and roll creator, and while his career passing numbers aren't spectacular, there are legitimate passing instincts there. In 2023-24, Mann averaged 6.0 assists per 36 minutes.

There is also some three point shooting potential. Last year's three point percentage is an anomaly in my opinion, especially since Mann has been a respectable shooter throughout his career, shooting 34.5 percent from three over five seasons. If he can get back toward that career average, defenses at least have to respect him on the perimeter.

Also, perhaps the biggest benefit of this trade is simply depth as Washington has in some capacity balanced out their roster a bit. The Wizards needed more guard competition, particularly with Bub Carrington entering another important stage of his development. Mann gives Carrington another player competing for minutes, and as we all know, competition breeds greatness. Well, we hope.

But there are obvious weaknesses with Tre Mann as well. Efficiency is the biggest concern. Mann's recent shooting numbers are simply not good enough, and his inability to consistently finish at the rim limits his offensive ceiling. Defensively, Mann isn't a particularly strong point of attack defender. His slender frame is also a concern because it makes him vulnerable physically, especially against bigger guards who can attack him.

Turnovers are another problem. Mann can sometimes get too ambitious with his handle and passing, attempting difficult plays that aren't there. And ultimately, inconsistent decision making might determine whether Mann becomes a legitimate rotation player or simply another end of bench scorer.

The way I see it, the best case scenario is pretty straightforward, Mann becomes a 25 year old microwave scorer and secondary creator off the bench, he competes for minutes, pushes Bub Carrington and the rest of Washington's guards, and makes everyone around him better through competition.

The worst case scenario? He's traded by February, with Washington potentially flipping his expiring contract for additional draft capital. Seriously, not much downside to this trade. The main negative from this trade is that the Wizards moved on from Cam Whitmore after only one year, and thus lost their draft capital value to acquire him.

I don't view Tre Mann as someone who is going to single handedly move the needle for the Wizards. This isn't the type of acquisition that changes Washington's trajectory.

However, it doesn't need to be. Washington balanced its roster, added much needed guard depth, moved two players who had steep uphill battles to find consistent minutes, and received a 2027 second round pick along with cash. Essentially, the Wizards recouped most of the assets they gave up to acquire Whitmore last year.

And perhaps most importantly, Washington still has flexibility. The Wizards currently have a 15th standard contract spot available, meaning they can still add another player to the roster. Tre Mann might not become anything special in Washington. But if Will Dawkins believes there is still something there, this move may be worthwhile.

At worst, Washington has added depth.

At best, they may have found a former first round pick with something left to prove.