The Wizards finished last season with only four players under contract. This year they’ve got double that number but still plenty of needs. John Wall says the team needs a post player, a wing and a backup point guard. Here’s a look at what the Wizards got out of those who lasted the entire year in Washington, or at least ended the year here.
John Wall
Upside » He would’ve been rookie of the year if not for Blake Griffin and would’ve done better than 16.4 ppg and 8.3 apg if he weren’t on a rebuilding team.
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Downside » Wall averaged a team-high 3.8 turnovers, and he needs work on his midrange jumper.
Going forward » Under contract. Those who thought he wasn’t fantastic weren’t watching. There’s a reason he dominated the rookie game — with better players around him, the upside is limitless.
Andray Blatche
Upside » Finally, he played the right way in April (23.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg) after missing three weeks with an injured shoulder.
Downside » Blatche started the season out of shape after a broken foot and high usage overshadowed erratic play. He also got in trouble for bad behavior in December.
Going forward » Under contract. Ernie Grunfeld’s guy is virtually untradeable thanks to a dubious five-year extension signed last September.
Jordan Crawford
Upside » He was barely used by Atlanta, but the rookie went off for 39 points against Miami, made big shots and averaged 16.3 ppg in 26 games after getting traded to Washington.
Downside » Crawford didn’t have a great shooting percentage and made up for it with playmaking.
Going forward » Under contract. Crawford will make the Wizards think twice about the need to keep Nick Young.
Nick Young
Upside » He more than doubled his scoring average, from 8.6 to 17.4 ppg and played even better after Gilbert Arenas left. He scored a career-high 43 points vs. Sacramento.
Downside » When his shot is off, he might as well be a ghost on the floor because he’s invisible.
Going forward » Restricted free agent. A knee injury ended his season prematurely and left open the door for Crawford.
JaVale McGee
Upside » Don’t focus on the triple double, just the 12 blocks — that alone is incredible. He nearly doubled his rebounding average from 4.1 to 8.0 per game.
Downside » In game 82, the 7-footer still took off with the ball on an ill-advised fast break. Those plays will cost the Wizards wins in the future.
Going forward » Under contract. Is McGee the starting center on a playoff team? He could be tough to manage if the Wizards decide to relegate him to backup status.
Maurice Evans
Upside » The Wizards couldn’t have landed a better role player in the Kirk Hinrich trade. Evans brought maturity to the locker room and was a strong fill-in with injuries at small forward.
Downside » No downside to having a versatile, hardworking, modestly priced veteran who’s been to the playoffs.
Going forward » Free agent. He realizes that Washington is a great fit. Hopefully, the Wizards feel the same way.
Trevor Booker
Upside » Two soaring putback dunks over Kevin Love were the final proof of the rookie’s game-changing athleticism on the glass. He averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds as a starter (14 games).
Downside » The team waited too long to give him significant minutes, and he struggled at the line (67.3 percent).
Going forward » Under contract. He has much to prove but needs to be careful not to return too early from a broken foot.
Yi Jianlian
Upside » His arrival in last summer’s salary dump by New Jersey gave the Wizards a fantastic practice player, a willing professional and size in a pinch.
Downside » No 7-footer gets his shot at the rim blocked more or misses more unblockable jump shots.
Going forward » Restricted free agent. Wizards seem unlikely to make a qualifying offer.
Kevin Seraphin
Upside » He spent as much time working on his English as he did his game. He made progress in both and trimmed down his solid 275-pound frame.
Downside » Seraphin was a first-round picks, but he’s got so much work left to do. There’s a reason John Wall said the Wizards need another post player.
Going forward » Under contract. Seraphin’s got quick feet and size but another year as a reserve is likely. Prospects could be more dim for Seraphin’s fellow rookie frontcourt running mate/translator Hamady Ndiaye.
Josh Howard
Upside » He was a source of confidence and defense at a bargain price of $3 million but would’ve been worth much more if he was healthy.
Downside » Howard played barely a quarter of the season.
Going forward » Free agent. The longer he needs to get back to 100 percent, the older he gets — he’s already 31. The Wizards must decide if he’s worth the wait.
Rashard Lewis
Upside » His contract runs out a year before Gilbert Arenas’.
Downside » Lewis arrived from Orlando with a balky knee and barely shot 35 percent from 3-point this year.
Going forward » Under contract. At $22 million that he’s owed next year, he owes it to the Wizards to get healthy and provide veteran leadership.
Othyus Jeffers/Larry Owens/Mustafa Shakur
Upside » Jeffers, a power forward in a compact running back’s body, was the best of a Development League trio that Flip Saunders took to calling “junkyard dogs” due to their determination, fearlessness and energy.
Downside » Shakur’s oversized, poorly stitched jersey in his debut was an abomination — as embarrassing as Andray “Baltche.”
Going forward » Jeffers deserves an invite to training camp, but all three are likely to find themselves on the fringes again next season.
