The Washington Wizards Biggest Need: A Backup Defensive Anchor

The Washington Wizards have several major needs as they continue their rebuild. Superstar talent remains the ultimate goal and that hopefully will be resolved come June 23rd. Finding a long-term frontcourt partner for Alex Sarr is also high on the priority list. But beyond those obvious needs, the Wizards desperately need a reliable backup defensive anchor.

To understand how Will Dawkins may go about this situation, it helps to understand general manager Will Dawkins' approach. Since arriving in Washington, Dawkins has consistently targeted undervalued players with the goal of rebuilding their value before flipping them for additional assets. Jordan Poole, Jonas Valanciunas, Marvin Bagley, CJ McCollum, Deni Avdija, and Cam Whitmore all fit the "buy low" philosophy in one way or another.

Dawkins also values character and professionalism. The three-year, $30 million deal given to Valanciunas wasn't just about production but also about bringing in a respected veteran who could stabilize the locker room and be a mentor for Alex Sarr.. Any potential backup center target will likely need to fit that mold.

One intriguing option in free agency is Mitchell Robinson, who was also previously tabbed as an ideal fit. When healthy, Robinson is one of the NBA's premier offensive rebounders, posting an incredible 24 percent offensive rebounding rate. At seven feet tall, he's an elite rim protector who averaged 1.2 blocks in just 19 minutes per game. Robinson doesn't need touches to impact winning. He sets hard screens, finishes lobs, and consistently ranks among the league leaders in field-goal percentage.

The concern with Robinson, of course, is durability. Robinson appeared in 60 games this season, but played just 17 games in 2024 and 31 games in 2023.

Another realistic target is Robert Williams III. Williams remains one of the league's most impactful defensive bigs when healthy, averaging 1.5 blocks in only 17 minutes while shooting over 70 percent from the field. His ability to protect the rim, switch defensively, and finish lobs (Hello, Trae Young) would be an ideal fit alongside Alex Sarr and the Wizards young roster. However, like Robinson, durability as a major concern with Williams as well. 

Then there's Kristaps Porzingis, remember him? A reunion may sound unlikely, but Porzingis fits the veteran leadership profile Dawkins prefers. His rim protection remains valuable, and accepting a reduced role behind Sarr could help preserve his health and extend his career while benefiting the team's development.

The wildcard is Andre Drummond. His rebounding remains elite, averaging 15.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. His rim protection is modest, but he would only come here to provide veteran leadership and rebounding. While not the same lob threat as Robinson or Williams, Drummond represents the kind of affordable buy-low gamble Dawkins has shown a willingness to make.

For a rebuilding Wizards team, finding the right backup defensive anchor may not grab headlines, but it should be one of the most important moves of the offseason.

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