After starting the year 3-12 and having almost their entire team deal with COVID-related problems, the Washington Wizards have won seven of their last eight games and are currently 13-18. They have a lot of work to do still if they are to have a shot at contending for the NBA playoffs, but they have really turned things around and are playing really solid basketball.
Russell Westbrook has been averaging a triple-double during the Wizards’ win streak and Bradley Beal is still leading the league in scoring with 32.8 points per game. These two continuing to play at a high-level has elevated this Wizards’ team, but they are going to still need to make some changes near the NBA trade deadline in order to be a playoff threat this season.
With big man Thomas Bryant being out for the year with an ACL injury, Washington’s frontcourt is very limited in production and is one of the worst frontcourts in the league. They desperately need a reliable big man, which is why they could look to target a guy like Jonas Valuncianus near the NBA trade deadline.
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Jonas Valanciunas is not in his third season with the Grizzlies and has been putting together a really solid year. The 28-year old center is averaging 16.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and is shooting 55.3% from the floor this season, making him a prime trade target for the Washington Wizards.
With the Grizzlies fighting for a playoff spot this year, it seems unlikely that they will make any significant moves to shake up their roster, but let’s take a look at what the Wizards could offer up to potentially sway Memphis into trading Valanciunas.
