The Wizards traded two bigs (Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair) for one (Markieff Morris), and Morris is the least equipped to play center.
So, Washington will add another interior player – J.J. Hickson, who took a buyout from the Nuggets.
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Free agent JJ Hickson is in advanced discussions on a deal with the Washington Wizards for rest of season, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2016
Hickson provides depth behind Marcin Gortat, Nene, Drew Gooden and Morris. I’m not sure the Wizards could have gotten someone more talented.
But it’s difficult to see how Hickson fits. Washington has emphasized having a floor-spacing four, and Hickson isn’t that. His defensive issues become even more pronounced as the center in a one-big lineup.
The Wizards probably hope everyone stays healthy and they won’t have to worry about integrating Hickson.
If Hickson is kept outside the rotation, at least he’d be riding the bench for a potential playoff team rather than the struggling Nuggets. And Washington might even offer a clearer path to playing time, despite all the difficulties that would entail.