Wizards Main Offseason Focus Must Be Adding a Top Wing Defender

Jayson Tatum absolutely torched Washington in the seven-eight play-in matchup, dropping 50 points, with 32 of them in the second half. DC had nobody who could guard Boston’s elite small forward, as they started three guards 6’3’’ or shorter, and two bigger men who couldn’t keep up with Tatum’s lateral quickness. He was constantly getting to the line, draining 17 of 17 free throws while picking DC’s dismal defense apart from all over the floor, exposing Washington’s lack of quality wing defenders.

INTERESTING FACTS

1st player with multiple GP of 50+ PTS during 1 season in Celtics history and now has 3 of them
2nd most GP (3) with 50+ PTS in Boston Celtics history (includes postseason), behind only Larry Bird
2nd Celtics player with 30 GP of 30+ PTS before turning 24, joining Paul Pierce
Boston is the 1st 7 seed to play and win a play-in game in NBA history

Odds vs. WAS: BOS -130 (Spread -2.0)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

WIZARDS MAIN OFFSEASON FOCUS MUST BE ADDING A TOP WING DEFENDER

COLORS KEY | FULL WIZARDS OUTLOOK

The inability to slow down Jayson Tatum is another sign that Washington needs someone who can guard a prolific wing scorer like him. DC’s backcourt can only get them so far because running into a player the size of Tatum that can create his own shot will be a problem until they add a top wing defender. If the Wizards had won, they would be matched up with Brooklyn and Kevin Durant, and it likely would’ve been a similar outcome as this game vs. Boston.

This is a key piece missing from the Wiz’s roster that is holding them back and will continue to do so until it’s fixed. Portland had a similar issue with their prolific backcourt that lacked a wing defender and used this past offseason to acquire Robert Covington. A player like Covington, Kelly Oubre, or Josh Richardson who could all be available this offseason should be DC’s top targets in free agency this August.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Nobody could stop Tatum’s fadeaway

The shake and fall away en route to 50 PTS for @jaytatum0! #PhantomCam #BleedGreen
The #7 @celtics take on #2 Nets in the First Round of the #NBAPlayoffs (Game 1 Saturday, 8pm/et on ABC) pic.twitter.com/3ipVlrLYJi
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021

Tatum’s destroyed DC’s defense with a 50-piece

☘️ 50 POINTS
☘️ 32 in 2nd half
☘️ Celtics earn East #7 seed@jaytatum0‘s huge night guides the @celtics to #StateFarmPlayIn victory!
#7 Celtics vs. #2 Nets – #NBAPlayoffs First Round Game 1 Saturday: 8pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/bHA0j4JNQD
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021