Wizards: Build Bench, Don’t Sign Boogie
As many Wizards fans get excited to possibly go after DeMarcus Cousins this offseason, I have to advise these fans to take it down a notch and I have to advise the Wizards front office to please not make this mistake.
It’s really no coincidence that Anthony Davis emerged as an MVP candidate and led the Pelicans to a better record after Cousins’ season-ending injury. It’s also no coincidence that the Kings were absolutely atrocious throughout Boogie’s tenure in Sacramento. He can obviously put up stats (21.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg career), but all the horror stories of how bad of a locker room guy take away from his appeal.
Frankly, the Wizards have enough locker room issues without adding a guy like Boogie. When you think about that, combined with the fact that his teams are either the same or worse without him, it seems like an easy decision to not pursue him.
Don’t believe me about off court problems? Think the Pelicans hot streak without him was a fluke? Fine. Let’s talk about cap space. To get Boogie, the Wizards will realistically need to give him a max contract. After recently giving Bradley Beal and Otto Porter huge contracts (arguably way too big for Porter, but that’s a conversation for another day), they can’t really afford to go get another max contract type of guy.
So what should the Wizards do this offseason to improve from an eight seed to a contender in the coming years? Build up their bench and have a good draft. When the Wizards don’t trade away their picks, they actually do pretty well with them (see John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, and Kelly Oubre). This year, they have the #15 pick, and need to use it wisely. They also don’t need more star power, but they need more reliable contributors.
Instead of paying Boogie a huge sum of money, go after guys that are consistent and cheaper. Go get Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe, or Jusuf Nurkic to fill the hole at center that Marcin Gortat is currently playing horribly in. Go get some depth like Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, or Tyreke Evans in the backcourt. Smaller pickups can make a big difference.
Oh, and go get LeBron. That can’t hurt.
