5 decisions Michael Winger will have to make this offseason for Wizards

5 decisions Michael Winger will have to make

The Wizards have hired Michael Winger to oversee their front office, bringing an entirely new perspective to usher them through what should be another important offseason for the franchise. There are many different directions this team could go from here and he will be tasked with charting their new course.

Here are some decisions he will be faced with in his first few months on the job...

Hire a general manager

Winger's predecessor, Tommy Sheppard, was the Wizards' president and general manager. Though Winger is stepping into a different and in some ways higher-ranking role, Sheppard's duties will now be split to a degree between two people, as Winger is planning to hire a GM to oversee basketball operations. That is a position Winger is very familiar with, as he served as the GM for the Clippers under president Lawrence Frank.

This will be an important hire for Winger, as his GM will have a lot of influence on the future of the franchise. It will be interesting to see which angle he takes in terms of the GM's prior experience. Winger has a distinguished track record in basketball strategy, deal-making, analytics and cap management. He could further bolster the front office in those areas with the GM hire, or perhaps strike a balance with someone who brings a scouting and talent evaluation background.

How to build and structure staff

It may take a while before Winger has his full front office staff in place. He will hire a GM soon, but after that, he will have to make decisions on a long list of roles from assistant GMs to scouts to analytics personnel. That process will first include an evaluation of the staff already in place. 

In the bigger picture, Winger will have some leeway to dictate how the front office is structured. He will have to determine if new roles need to be created and how responsibilities should be divvied up. There are some people already in the Wizards' front office who have worked with Winger before like vice president of college personnel Frank Ross, vice president of pro personnel Johnny Rogers and senior director of pro personnel Antawn Jamison. Winger has worked for the Clippers, Thunder and Cavaliers, so it's reasonable to expect some hirings from those pipelines at some point.

Future of the core 3

It seems like an unusual situation for Winger to take over in the sense two of the three best players on the Wizards' roster are expected to hit free agency in just over a month. Both Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis can opt out of the final years of their contracts and it appears likely both of them will considering they just put up the best numbers of their respective careers. Winger will have to consider how Bradley Beal fits into the team's future as well, though he has a full no-trade clause and can dictate whether a move involving him is even possible.

Bringing the trio back was the stated plan of Sheppard, but now Winger has a chance to make his mark early and in a big way. Will he keep all three or some combination of them? Or, will he go in the opposite direction and part ways with all three, perhaps to trigger a full rebuild? It's not an easy decision to make and it's worth noting the Wizards are already far down the road with Kuzma and Porzingis because they opted not to trade either of them at the deadline. The three choices would be to re-sign them, orchestrate sign-and-trades to get something in return, or let them go in free agency outright. The third option is the least desirable.

8th overall pick

Winger will probably need to have a good idea of what he's doing with the core three before June 22, the night of the 2023 NBA Draft. That is despite free agency and trades technically not being official until after the draft takes place. The big-picture direction of the franchise will be important for any potential trade scenarios on draft night, as those deals could affect where they pick. Maybe Winger opts for more draft capital either by trading back from eight or by acquiring another first-round pick in a trade involving Beal, Kuzma or Porzingis.

Winger's decision on the core three could also affect their needs. For instance, if they decide to let Kuzma go then that all of a sudden creates an opening at the four which could be filled by Jarace Walker or Taylor Hendricks, two prospects expected to go in the Wizards' range at eighth overall. Regardless of those factors, Winger is poised to make his first major roster decision for the Wizards and as of now he holds the highest pick the team has had in 10 years. It's a huge opportunity to begin reshaping the future of the organization.

Avdija's contract future

After the big ticket items of the offseason are over with, Winger will have to make a decision on Deni Avdija, who is extension eligible entering the final year of his rookie scale contract. The deadline will be in October. Which direction Winger and the Wizards go will provide insight into how they view a young and developing player, but one he did not draft.

It is important to note there are two sides to every contract negotiation and Avdija could always opt to bet on himself, as many players do. It's possible he could earn a lot more money if he takes a step forward in what will be his fourth NBA season. And, if he does go that route, it doesn't mean he won't stick around the following offseason when the Wizards can make him a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer. Still, how Winger handles it will be worth watching as he makes his first imprints on the roster.