The Washington Wizards are trying desperately to get in to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, but they are still on the outside looking in with less than 20 games to go. Washington was playing its best basketball of the season about a week ago but now it has lost three straight games, which hasn't helped its case.
Injuries have really been the main story for the Wizards all season long and it has continued. Bradley Beal has missed a lot of time due to a lower leg injury and is currently out with a hip injury, while Gary Neal has also missed time. Neal is expected to miss two to three weeks with a leg injury, so the Wizards have been looking for some shooting guard help.
The Wizards look like they will be getting that help from free agent guard Marcus Thornton, who was recently waived by the Houston Rockets. Thornton's role with the Rockets this year was sporadic as he was in and out of the rotation. He was also supposed to be part of the Donatas Motiejunas deal that was voided. Thornton was not thrilled about heading back to Houston after that deal was voided, so the two sides agreed to a buyout.
In order to make room for Thornton on the roster, the Wizards will waive Gary Neal, who is injured anyway. The Wizards can't afford to wait it out with Neal because they need to make a run now and replacing him with Thornton will help with that. Neal has appeared in just 40 games this season, and although he has shot 41 percent from three, he has had issues staying on the court.
Thornton will come in and provide the Wizards with another scorer off the bench. He is a guy that is very streaky, but when he gets hot, he can fill it up in a hurry. In 47 games with the Rockets this season, Thornton averaged 10 points while making 34 percent of his threes. His role in Washington should be more defined then it was in Houston though, so that should help increase his shooting numbers.
It was thought that when Thornton was originally released by the Rockets, he would end up with either the Heat or the Cavaliers. The Heat went and got Joe Johnson though, and the Wizards emerged in the past week as a serious contender for his services. Thornton's role in Washington will likely be bigger than it would have been in Miami or Cleveland, anyway so it seems like the best case for him personally.
