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Washington Wizards: Five biggest issues for team this offseason

By Ben Palmer

May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) gestures on the court against the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) gestures on the court against the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) leaps to pass the ball as Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi (28) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Spurs won 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) leaps to pass the ball as Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi (28) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Spurs won 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Keep Ian Mahinmi healthy

The Wizards have Ian Mahinmi signed through 2020, and he’s set to make around $48 million in that time, so there’s plenty of reasons for the team to expect him to be out there on the floor.

Mahinmi was out most of this year recovering from knee surgery and then sat out of the first eight playoff games with a calf injury.

When he was healthy and on the floor, Mahinmi was effective, shooting 58.6% from the field when he was out there, but he wasn’t healthy and on the floor all that much.

The Wizards need to get Mahinmi healthy and keep him there, because having a solid backup to Marcin Gortat is very important, as the team had a -0.7 net rating when Gortat was on the bench.

Mahinmi’s contract is going to cause cap issues for the Wizards, and if he’s injured, it’s just dead money. If Mahinmi is going to cost the Wizards as much as he is, he needs to contribute, and with rumors that Gortat might be traded, Mahinmi’s role could be more important than ever.

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