#2: This Team is Capped Out

The Washington Wizards not only are having trouble meeting expectations, they are without many avenues to improve their team. Washington claims the sixth-highest team payroll in the league this season, and it is only going to get worse. Over $70 million of their cap is taken up by three players, in Wall, Beal, and Porter Jr. Next year, as Wall’s new contract kicks in, that number will rise to $89 million. John Wall’s contract alone will limit their cap flexibility through the 2022-23 season, where he is due $47.3 million.

Their lack of assets is also a unpleasant handicap for this team. The second-oldest team in the league, Washington’s roster only has one young player, Kelly Oubre Jr., who seems to be a part of this team moving forward. Oubre Jr. is currently in the last year of his contract, though, and will require more money after this season, compounding on their already stressful cap situation. Even though they have the majority of their picks in coming years, as presently constructed, it is likely to assume that the Wizards’ front office will be drafting at the very back end of the lottery at best.

With little to no financial flexibility heading into the future, this team could be in serious trouble. Freeing up much needed space in their books and earning a pick or two that could land a player of the future could be of more benefit than a playoff series appearance every other year for the next few years.

Next Up: Only Getting Older