The Washington Wizards are moving towards the next step in its rebuilding after the Bradley Beal trade. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Wizards are in “strong talks” with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers on a three-team blockbuster trade.
The Wizards would trade 7-footer Kristraps Porzingis to the Celtics. Washington would receive Marcus Morris from the Clippers and draft compensation (presumably the 30th pick overall in Thursday’s NBA Draft). Meanwhile, the Clippers would receive Malcolm Brogdon from the Celtics.
All sides are still worthing through details. Those details include Porzingis’ $36 million player option for next season. Porzingis could opt into the final year of his deal to facilitate the trade.
The Wizards are embarking on a total rebuild after restructuring its front office with the hiring of team president Michael Winger, general manager Will Dawkins, and senior VP of player personnel Travis Schlenk.
Washington agreed to trade Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, two draft pick swaps, and several second-round draft picks earlier this week. Also, Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma opted out of his $13 million option for next season.
Brogdon will give the Clippers a much-needed point guard to alleviate ball-handling duties from Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. The Celtics added another offensive weapon in Porzingis, but also the rim protector and inside presence that has eluded Boston.
As for the Wizards, they’ll take on the final year of Morris’ contract. Morris is due $17.1 million next season. His twin brother Markieff played four seasons with the Wizards from 2015-2019.
Brogdon has a two-year, $45 million extension that kickstarts with the 2023-24 season. He accepted a bench role for the first time during his career after being traded last July to the Celtics from the Indiana Pacers.
Brogdon averaged 14.9 points on 48.4% shooting from the field, including 44.4% from three in 67 games. He was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Porzingis played his first full season with the Wizards in 2022-23. He averaged a career-high 23.2 points with 8.7 rebounds last season for the Wizards. Porzingis, Beal, and Kuzma made up a Big Three for the Wizards. Despite all three averaging over 21 points per game, Washington failed to reach the postseason with a 35-47 record.
It was the fourth time in the last five seasons the Wizards failed to reach the postseason — the fifth straight the team did not win over 35 games. Owner Ted Leonsis fired president and GM Tommy Sheppard, which changed the entire course of the organization.
Porzingis was in talks for a contract extension before Sheppard’s firing. But now, the new regime is looking to hit the reset button, and Porzingis is on the verge of moving on to another team.
The Wizards are looking to reconstruct the roster. Washington is focusing on clearing salary cap space for the future while acquiring draft capital. They will do so by taking on unwanted contracts with draft compensation. The Wizards have done so with Paul and Shamet in the Beal trade. Morris and some draft picks will come in return for Porzingis.
Marcus Morris grew frustrated with his diminished role in Los Angeles. He was also upset with the lack of communication about the decreased usage. He averaged 11.1 points, and 4.0 rebounds in 65 games last season for the Clippers.
Morris spent four seasons with the Clippers. Before that, he played for the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Suns, Clippers, and Celtics during his 12-year career.
Barring a buyout, Morris may get the opportunity to increase his role on a Wizards team that appears set to tank if Paul gets redirected elsewhere.
The Clippers reportedly had an interest in reacquiring Paul. However, apparently, that may no longer be the case after landing Brogdon.
