:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28383461/20140209_pjc_au3_177.0.jpg)
I would be surprised if we see anything major with the Wizards at the trade deadline, but there are still areas of weakness that can be shored up. One such area: backup point guard, where Eric Maynor has been a major disappointment, forcing Garrett Temple to step in while being slightly out of position.
That's an area the Wizards are interested in upgrading, according to Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears:
Washington will try to acquire a backup point guard before the trade deadline, a source said, but isn't optimistic the Wizards can make such a move.
Bookmark This
The lack of optimism is a little surprising to me. Andre Miller is sitting out there for anyone to take, as are players like Beno Udrih, Will Bynum, Steve Blake, Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea. If the Wizards really wanted to shore up the position, they could probably do it without giving up much of anything.
The more pertinent question is cost and necessity. Temple's a bit of a nightmare offensively, but he's provided excellent defensive pressure and at least gets the Wizards into their sets. The difference in the way the team plays with him instead of Maynor is night and day. Temple's also inexpensive for this year and doesn't have a long-term contract, which is significant because the Wizards are close to the luxury tax. Almost any other option is more expensive. Is the upgrade worth the additional cost?
My thought: Unless the Wizards can secure a combo guard that can play some with John Wall or Bradley Beal, occasionally be in the lineup in crunch time and provide some shot creation skills for the second unit, it's not worth it to make a deal. If we're just talking about someone to play 10-15 minutes a night behind Wall, Temple's doing just fine.
