Will Trevor Ariza give the Wizards exactly what they need? It鈥檚 a big question mark that they鈥檙e confident he will answer in the positive — confident enough, at least, to give up two rotation players in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers for him. Never mind that he鈥檚 a $15-million rental and, based on the little time that he toiled for the Suns, seemingly showing his age. As far as they鈥檙e concerned, he鈥檚 still capable of making at 33 as much of the on- and off-court impact that he did at 28, when he last played for them.
To be sure, the Wizards are driven by the need to institute change, and fast. With close to two-fifths of their 2018-19 campaign already done, they鈥檙e wallowing in 11th, closer to the bottom of East standings than to a top-four seed, where preseason projections had them pegged. Needless to say, they have positive thoughts of the two seasons Ariza burned rubber for them. And, from their vantage point, taking on a variable they already have a good gauge of is far better than any other option on the table.
Which, for all intents, was why the Wizards soldiered on despite the monumental misstep they made in closing their initial deal for Ariza. Acting as conduits for the Suns, they thought they succeeded in claiming Dillon Brooks from the Grizzlies. As it turns out, the latter actually peddled MarShon Brooks. Naturally, the arrangement was scuttled, compelling them to restart talks amid a social-media backlash that painted them as fools.
For the Wizards, though, all鈥檚 well that ends well — and to the point where they鈥檙e afforded a much rosier outlook. And so upbeat were they that they went on to school the surging Lakers yesterday despite their depleted lineup. It didn鈥檛 matter that Ariza had not yet been cleared, Oubre and Rivers were listed as 鈥渢rade pending,鈥 Otto Porter Jr. rested a bruised knee, and Markieff Morris suffered from a neck strain after the second quarter. Featuring an inspired John Wall and ample support from Bradley Beal, Jeff Green, Tomas Satoransky, and Sam Dekker, they wrested the lead after the first minute of the match and built on it with such purpose that the outcome QA effectively decided by halftime.
That the impending arrival of an aging wingman would spur the Wizards, who had hitherto lost their last four outings, into action speaks volumes of the systemic nature of their infirmities. On the other hand, they deserve praise for doing something — anything, really — in order to improve their plight. Did they give up too much? Is it too little too late? Only time will tell, but if yesterday is any indication, better days lie ahead.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
