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Yes, we're cheating.

But the Washington Wizards shouldn't stay away from one specific player, so much as they should avoid an entire category of basketballers. Even with John Wall undergoing surgery that's going to knock him out of action for around six weeks, as Candace Buckner of the Washington Post reported Tuesday, they don't need to pursue another guard.

Instead of seeking to replace the All-Star floor general with someone like Devin Harris, they should just bide their time and trust Tomas Satoransky to handle an increased role. Not only do they have more pressing long-term needs and limited assets with which they can part, but this team isn't in position to make a run at anything special in 2017-18.

While the Wizards currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, they're only outscoring opponents by 1.5 points per 100 possessions and are about to embark on a brutal schedule. As ESPN.com's Zach Lowe tweeted in response to news of Wall's injury, "16 of Washington's next 20 games are against teams currently in the playoffs."

Given Washington's limited assets (unless it wants to part with Kelly Oubre Jr.), it can't land a player capable of helping it survive this onslaught of high-level competition, especially without Wall in action. The far better play is taking the long-term approach and preserving assets while letting Satoransky develop against a tough slate. The second-year guard, after all, is averaging 10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists per 36 minutes while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from downtown.

Plus, there's one more fun fact.

Per PBPStats.com, the Wizards have produced a 6.5 net rating when Satoransky and Bradley Beal share the court without Wall this season. With Wall and Beal on the floor but no Satoransky, the net rating is 6.1.

Maybe they can survive this absence after all.

Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09.

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats from Basketball Reference, NBA.com, NBA Math or ESPN.com and are current heading into games on Jan. 31.