Deadline trades don't change familiar dilemma for Wizards

• Published date: 12 February 2022
• Publication title: The China Post

The Washington Wizards approached the trade deadline in a familiar position - on the fringe of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference - and whether they make the postseason or not, they'll have to do it without star Bradley Beal.

General manager Tommy Sheppard turned over a quarter of his roster at the trade deadline anyway, a series of moves that's more of a reshuffle than a rebuild.

Bringing in Kristaps Porzingis and shedding pricey veterans Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans wasn't about this year, Sheppard said Friday, and it's not really about loading up for next season, either. It's what he considers a small step toward building a championship-caliber team.

'There's a lot of (potential) trades, we would have been very successful for the rest of this season, but it would have cost us in the future,' Sheppard said. 'We have an opportunity this summer with some of the things we did today to make a lot more moves. I thought that was far better than to gas up our record for the rest of this season.'

The 7-foot-3 Porzingis is an intriguing addition because of his size and skill set. He has a big contract - the Wizards will owe him nearly $70 million over the next two seasons - but the franchise saved money overall with Thursday's deals, Sheppard said. Dinwiddie and Bertans went to Dallas, and Washington also sent Montrezl Harrell to Charlotte for Ish Smith and Vernon Carey Jr. Aaron Holiday was dealt to Phoenix for cash.

Beal, who had surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist, is due to...