Atlanta Hawks: 3 Trade Targets on the Washington Wizards

Trade Benefits for the Wizards

From the Wizards standpoint, this trade would make sense for the immediate future. Trading away Oubre Jr. and Rivers helps the team fix possible chemistry issues that are affecting the current roster right.

Rivers was a part of the summer trade that sent Marcin Gortat to the Los Angeles Clippers. While in Los Angeles Rivers received a lot of criticism and sarcasm about him playing for his father. Despite the criticism, he played relatively well under head coach (and Hawks legend) Doc Rivers.

Unfortunately, Rivers has not played up to his potential thus far in the season. He has struggled to blend in with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Often times he plays with the starting lineup in the fourth quarter.

Sending Oubre Jr. to the Hawks will benefit the Wizards because they will avoid another Porter Jr. situation where they have to match an expensive offer sheet. On the basketball side of things, adding Bazemore to their roster could serve as the franchises last attempt to salvage things before dismantling the roster.

Shipping Oubre Jr. to the Hawks will help jump-start Porter Jr. who has been struggling to find a consistent rhythm on the offensive end. At times this season Oubre Jr. has taken on some of Porter’s minutes.

Bazemore, who is 29 years old, is a team player and veteran who can accept multiple roles. Not to mention the Wizards could still birth a playoff appearance despite their current record.

Consequently, Alex Poythress will just be an extra player in this trade. He has talent and future upside but he will probably be sent down to the G-League. Of course, the Wizkids will add on to their cap with Baze but at least he will be able to impact their roster right away.

A change of scenery for Baze may help him step up his productivity.