FanPost

Washington Bench Reform

We can all agree.... our bench SUCKS.

"Sucks" might actually be too generous of an adjective. Washington's bench is currently dead last in overall production thanks to a combination of offensive incompetence and defensive helplessness. Satoransky's rise in minutes will help smooth out the offense and the return of Mahinmi will undoubtedly help our rotating door defense. However, the Wizards bench is far too awful to be respectable with these two changes alone. Washington needs more firepower on both ends of the court. I call for a bench reform!

Proposed Solution:

Lou Williams and , a GWOW favorite, Josh Smith.

While both of these options are past their prime they could provide the boost our bench desperately needs. Lets start with Lou.

Lou Williams

Proposed trade:

WSH receive - Lou Williams

LAL receive - Trey Burke, Jason Smith, Protected 2nd round pick

Why it works:

The Lakers excess of productive guards is hampering the development of their back court cornerstones De'Angelo Russel and Jordan Clarkson. Both young guards are playing under 28 minutes per game. As a rebuilding team the Lakers will look to give their young stars as much playing time as possible. Giving up Lou free's up time for their young guns while getting another youngster in Trey Burke. Jason Smith will help beef up their slim center rotation and LAL have reaped benefits from our 2nd rounders before , see Jordan Clarkson.

Lou's shot creation and 3 point marksmanship would be a godsend addition to our bench. Williams is averaging 15.3 pts on 46.7 FG% and 41.9 3FG% while logging 23 minutes a game. He can play both back up PG and SG, his defensive shortcomings are not any worse than Burke's and he has a favorable contract of $7M over the next 2 years. A lineup of Sato-Williams-Oubre-Nicholson-Mahinmi will undoubtedly be better than what the Wiz are currently trotting out. Lou also provides the ability to close games out and a veteran leadership presence, both of which the Wizards desperately need.

Josh Smith

Acquire through free agency

Why it works:

Although Josh Smith is no where close to his productive Hawks days, GWOW and I believe he still has a role in today's NBA. As a career 28% 3-point shooter, Smith needs to give up on his stretch four dreams. He needs to embrace his role in today's NBA as a small-ball 5. Josh would be an amazing third center to help alleviate both Marcin and Ian. When he sticks to being a finisher around the rim, crashing the boards, and playing focused and aggressive defense, Smith is a very solid NBA player.

At 30, Smith still is one of the quickest leapers in the NBA. This has helped him force opponents to shoot 5.9 percent less on their field goals from six feet and in while mainly matched up against power forwards and centers. He also has the mobility to defend out to the perimeter while being serviceable in pick and roll situations. Sticking Smith at the 5 will also put him in a possession where he's offensively most effective, in the paint getting buckets. This is a low-risk, high-reward signing as he can be had for the vet min.

With a bench unit of Sato-Williams-Oubre-Nicholson-Josh Smith to start the season the Wizards would be 4-1 not 1-4. There's a lot of change coming to the nation's capital, the wizards bench needs be apart of it.

#GetItDoneErn

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.