Nov 21, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) defends in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards Need To Acquire A Star This Summer

Every NBA team is competing for the ultimate goal: winning the championship.

Right now, there are only two teams in the NBA that look like they could hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer. The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are in a league of their own. The second tier contenders — meaning, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder — are right behind the other two.

The Washington Wizards obviously aren’t anywhere near contending status.

After having a shot to make the Eastern Conference Finals this past season, most expected the Wizards to take the next step this season. They’re currently five games below .500 and occupying the 10th spot in the East. Injuries and poor roster construction have ruined what could have been a very memorable season in the franchise’s history.

It’s easy to look at this team and immediately become pessimistic about their future.

They look very disinterested and the team is still led by Randy Wittman and Ernie Grunfeld — two people who’ve continuously failed at their respective jobs. But, let’s look at the bright side.

John Wall is under contract for at least the next three seasons. Bradley Beal, while injury prone, is still considered one of the best young guards in the NBA.

Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre could potentially become building blocks as well. Perhaps most importantly, though, Washington will have the ability to sign a max-level player this summer.

The Wizards aren’t one or two pieces away from beating the likes of San Antonio or Golden State. Wall is the only All-Star player on the roster. Beal could be at that level soon, but he needs to stay healthy.

Virtually everyone on the roster with the exception of Wall, Porter, Oubre and Gortat is going to become a free agent. Given how bad the team has been this season, Washington will look to add more talent this summer instead of re-signing the players currently under contract.

On paper, the Washington Wizards seemed to have gotten better, but that hasn’t been the case.

Nene, Drew Gooden, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair and others were occupying spots on the roster, but weren’t producing.

Alan Anderson and Martell Webster missed basically all of the season, which forced Wittman to rely on Garrett Temple way more than usual.

When you take a look at the team, Wall is the only player who really stands out.

Everyone else is at least somewhat expendable.

The players that stepped on the court for the Wizards this season are very unmemorable. Once this dreadful season is finally over, we’re all going to forget Anderson, J.J. Hickson, Marcus Thornton and Jarell Eddie even existed.

That’s why the Washington Wizards need to add a star this summer.

There are going to be plenty of teams around the league that will his the reset button once the season is over.

Teams like the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets could all undergo major changes to their roster. Washington will be one of the teams that will likely see a complete overhaul to their team, including the coach and possibly general manager.

Instead of filling the roster with more John Wall-dependent players this summer, whomever is running the team needs to get a star.

At this point, I don’t think it matters how they get that additional star. If that means they must trade assets to get someone like Kevin Love or DeMarcus Cousins, then so be it. Waiting around for Beal, Oubre or Porter to develop while Wall wastes his career is irresponsible.

Of course, adding Kevin Durant is going to be the team’s first priority. While the former MVP might leave the inconsistent Thunder, that doesn’t mean he’ll join the Wizards. Durant could end up joining the Warriors or even James Harden in Houston. He’s going to have options other than Oklahoma City and Washington.

Washington will still have chances to add a game-changing player, though.

Dwight Howard, Hassan Whiteside, DeMar DeRozan and others will still be available. All three players fit the run-and-gun system Washington should continue using going forward. Having a coach that’s familiar with the style, such as Mike D’Antoni, is imperative as well.

The Washington Wizards are entering an extremely important summer. The roster, as currently constructed, is ridiculously flawed. Wall has been forced to carry the load and his teammates haven’t stepped up. Adding another star, even if it’s not Durant, should be the team’s first concern this summer.