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The Wizards are making some of their plans before NBA Free Agency begins at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. They extended qualifying offers to Thomas Bryant, Tomas Satoransky and Bobby Portis on Wednesday according to various reports around the NBA.
Expected news here: The Wizards have extended Thomas Bryant his qualifying offer, according to sources.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 26, 2019
Per league sources, the Washington Wizards have tendered a qualifying offer to Tomas Satoransky. Satoransky is now be a restricted free agent.@FredKatz reported earlier that Washington also tendered a qualifying offer to Thomas Bryant. Bryant is also now a restricted free agent.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 27, 2019
The Wizards have extended a qualifying offer to Bobby Portis, meaning he will be a restricted free agent on June 30, @NBCSWashington has learned.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) June 27, 2019
By extending qualifying offers, the Wizards can match any offer sheet that Bryant, Satoransky or Portis sign.
Sam Dekker, however, was not extended a qualifying offer. If this holds, he will be an unrestricted agent.
Sam Dekker has not been extended a qualifying offer by the Wizards, I'm told. They have until June 29, otherwise he will become an unrestricted free agent.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) June 27, 2019
Of the players who were offered qualifying offers, Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington reported that Thomas Bryant is the team’s top priority.
I’m told Thomas Bryant will be the top priority for @WashWizards once Free Agency opens for business Sunday at 6pm #DCFamily pic.twitter.com/oTjK0iFxEH
— Chris Miller (@cmillsnbcs) June 26, 2019
That’s a fair point to make. Bryant was Washington’s starting center for most of the 2018-19 season after Ian Mahinmi fizzled and Dwight Howard missed most of the season due to injury.
But I would argue that Satoransky is also an equally important priority. If Washington doesn’t re-sign him, they will be very thin at the point guard position.
John Wall is missing most of the 2018-19 season and you can’t guarantee how effective he will be upon his return. Justin Robinson adds some depth, but I don’t think he is meant to take over Satoransky’s spot in the lineup. Troy Brown Jr. was a point guard in high school, but he probably shouldn’t be starting at point guard if the Wizards are trying to win games now — which appears to be the plan.
So that leaves Bradley Beal as the team’s remaining option at point guard. He dished a career-high 5.5 assists per game last season but is generally more comfortable as the shooting guard position.
I’ve always liked how Satoransky kept the Wizards’ offense flowing, but if he leaves, I think Beal will have to be the Wizards’ next starting point guard, at least until the Wizards know more about Wall’s condition and future.
Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments below.
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