Why The Wizards Might Have To Trade Otto Porter

by
Former Writers
October 10, 2018

Keith Allison via Flickr

A trade involving Otto Porter has been up in the air for the past few years. During the 2016-2017 offseason, Porter signed a $106.5 million over 4 years with the Brooklyn Nets. Per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Washington Wizards had 48 hours to match that offer. The Wizards matched and Porter stayed with the team.

Since signing the deal, he has regressed and has taken a few steps back. Yeah, maybe it’s been because of injuries that have caused his regression. It also could be him feeling the pressure to live up to his max deal. Either way, he has to get it together or he’ll be part of a trade, which will be orchestrated by Ernie Grunfeld that makes since.

Signing Your Home Grown

Porter was a hometown talent playing for the Georgetown Hoyas. Sure, it took longer than the fans expected. Porter has possibly developed as far as he can go. It could be time to ship him off to another team that is willing to take on the contract.

There may not be a team willing to take him now due to consistent injuries and not being able to stay on the floor. Porter played in 77 games, the third highest in his career. If he can’t get his back injuries together, he may be packing his bags causing another back injury.

The Max Deal Otto Porter Received Wasn’t A Popular Move

A lot of people disagreed with the Wizards signing Porter to a max deal. Sure, the amount of money Porter received could’ve been used to sign different key players that would’ve made the team better. The problem is that there really wasn’t a player, especially a star player, that the Wizards could bring in if they would’ve let Porter go to the Nets.

LeBron James sure wasn’t taking $10 million. Look at where he went for. He signed a four-year, $154 million deal. Let’s not forget the luxury tax also has hurt the Wizards.

Let it sink in that the Wizards weren’t in a position to sign a big name player or a good player at that. This upcoming season is a big one for Porter. If he doesn’t produce, his future with the Wizards will be cloudier than it is right now. Expect them to try to trade him if he doesn’t play like the third star they’ve envisioned him becoming.