The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions is taking a life of its own. Even teams that had a successful run like the Washington Wizards find themselves at the crossroads.

The biggest offseason question for the Wizards-literally and figuratively is Marcin Gortat. He solidified the Wizards frontcourt with the oft-injured Nene and also became a big fan favorite. He and Trevor Ariza are the Wizards main free agents. You'd think that with an overachieving season, it's a no-brainer to re-sign both of them-but the NBA is not known for its simplicity.

Grantland discussed the possibility of Washington going for a big All-Star free agent and letting both players walk. Washington can attract someone like Carmelo Anthony or the Miami Big Three. They have an All-Star point guard, a rising shooting guard, a big stud in Nene and a rabid basketball fan base.

There are many angles they can work with. From Grantland:

"The Wiz could re-sign Ariza and Gortat at nearly $20 million combined and still have enough breathing room to use the full midlevel exception this summer and next without approaching the tax. This Wiz team, plus two midlevel free agents - that's a solid team, especially if Beal continues to develop an all-around game.

There are other routes beyond replacing the free agents with cheaper ones. The Wiz could have as much as $15 million in cap space this summer by renouncing both Ariza and Gortat, and even more by dumping Professor Miller somewhere. That would give the Wiz enough ammo to make an honest run at Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh, or to poach Greg Monroe in restricted free agency."

Right now, Ariza and Gortat have similar contracts. That will not be the case. Gortat is a solid center who built himself into a force. Western Conference teams with huge cap space like the Dallas Mavericks and LA Lakers would likely overpay to get him if they don't snag their original targets. Both teams are determined not to end up with nothing.

This is what bugs the Wiz. Gortat will not be their main big man (that's Nene) so they don't want to pay him that kind of money ($ 10-12 million reportedly). But Gortat can choose to stay with the Wizards for less money and they can become serious contenders in the weak Eastern Conference.