Nerlens Noel (Photo : Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards could explore the trade market for a backup big man, despite the impending return of Ian Mahinmi, who signed with the team this past summer.
Mahinmi's absence has hurt the production of the Wizards' second unit, who, according to the team's own center Marcin Gortat following 106-95 loss to the Chicago Bulls, "one of the worst benches in the league."
As noted by Albert Lee of SB Nation, the Wizards' bench players are truly struggling on the offensive end, and as bad as they could get on the defensive side. They have a league-worst team differential of -17.6 points per 1000 possessions, with the bench only scoring a combined 25.3 points and 4.7 assists per game.
On the defensive end, the Wizards are allowing opponents to shoot 45.9 percent from the field, which ranks 22nd in the league.
Mahinmi, who joined the Wizards this past summer on a four-year $64 million deal, has not appeared on a regular season game for his new team after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn medial meniscus on Oct. 14, but his return could somehow elevate the numbers of Washington's bench.
In his last year with the Pacers, Mahinmi averaged a career-high 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The 30-year-old big man also held opponents to 4.4 percentage points on shots from six feet and closer, which could certainly boost the Wizards' bench production.
However, Mahinmi isn't expected to make an immediate impact once he fully recovers from the surgery, opening up possibilities of trading for another backup big man, according to CSN New England's Monte Poole.
"If Mahinmi, who was signed to a four-year deal worth $64 million, doesn't stabilize the second unit that relies on Jason Smith and Andrew Nicholson playing out of position as undersized backup centers in spot minutes, then they'll have to execute another move via trade before the February deadline," Poole wrote.
Gortat and Markieff Morris are the only reliable frontcourt pieces the Wizards have in their rotation. If Mahinmi would not live up to the team's expectations of him, it makes sense for Washington to look for available bigs in the trade market.
Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe, who now comes off the bench for his team, could be an ideal trade target for the Wizards. Monroe, who has been linked to trade rumors after becoming an awkward fit under the Bucks' schemes last season, could be available before the deadline, according to Jonas Nader of Rotoworld.
"I still think he's going to get traded at some point this season and a move could only help his value right now, so it's fair to call him an elite stash as opposed to a 'hold' in standard leagues," Nader wrote.
Another viable option that could emerge for Washington is Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel, whose name has been consistently mentioned in the rumor mill. Noel is part of the 76ers' crowded frontcourt, and many believe he is the likely trade candidate should Philly decides to address the logjam at the center position.
There should be plenty of trade prospects the Wizards could choose from once those who signed over the summer are eligible to get traded. But if the Wizards truly wants to turn things around quickly, exploring deals for either Monroe or Noel is a move worth considering.
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