TGW wrote:MJG wrote:It's been a little while since the deal happened, and I'm still just as against it now as I was then. I know lots of people have started coming around on it, and I often do that too on bad moves, but I'm just really not feeling it at all this time. Here's to hoping I'm proven wrong.
I have 4 serious issues with the trade:
1) Kills immediate cap flexibility. I would have preferred to be able to make BOYD-type deals to acquire more talent (i.e. the Hinrich maneuver) than trading for Ariza/Okafor. Now, those types of deals can't happen.
2) Changes the whole dynamic of the team. I loved how Nene played as the starting center, with Seraphin backing him up. I thought Nene gave us a skill and footspeed advantage over opposing centers, and his ability to face up and hit that 16 footer was also a big plus because he could spread the floor a bit. Now that advantage is gone because Nene will be moved to PF, where that advantage gets neutralized.
3) Diminishes the playing time of our younger guys—Booker, Ves, and Seraphin—who are all better than Okafor IMHO. It also means they don't resign James Singleton, who I'm a big fan off. I would have rather seen the team put some faith in their young players than trading for a mediocre big who misses foul shots, and has a limited offensive game.
4) WYSIWYG. Even if the team makes the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed, it doesn't matter because the team won't be able to do much to improve the roster for the next few seasons. Hopefully, Wall and/or Beal become superstars, because as of now we don't have one guy capable of averaging 20 a game.
A lot of times I emote or put a little too much alarmism in my posts to state with clarity why I am alarmed. What you did here, TGW, is explain why the deal was not an optimal deal. And since you said it your way, I will say it mine.
Ted didn't want to pay a guy to go away and he tried to get SOMETHING rather than nothing. Okafor and Ariza have been a part of championship teams and they are (more Okafor) good, character guys who happen to be veterans. Ernie did what the owner wants and he also did what he does, look out for himself. Two years on his deal he brought in veterans, because the adage is you win with veterans. The hope is they'll add stability, maturity, discipline, and aid in practice as well as raise the talent level. Best case, Wittman has more talented players to choose from and more disparate tools in his coaching tool kit to call on to help the Wizards win.
The owner added components without any regard to the four things you listed, IMO, TGW. I hope WYSIWYG does not hold to form. Those guys need to revert to their top form. Nene needs to click with Okafor at PF and C. Ariza needs to play like Laker Ariza, because there's no way Chris Singleton is a good SF right now. No way. Most of all, the chemistry of young guys who won't play as much with new guys who automatically start, and Wittman with a contract has to work well.
I like that the Wizards have added Newman and Hopla to help the mix of players, because Ariza needs that shot to drop and so does Wall. The good cop (Newman) is going to have to keep developing players encouraged. Okafor and Ariza better be team guys who don't mine riding pine at times.
HERE IS MY HOPE, TGW: That they DO make the playoffs and that they make Okafor and/or Nene HOT commodities. A trade can change this team in a hurry and those guys make enough money to exchange for a stud SF. If the Wizards can get good, they will be able to move one or both. Nene must stay healthy and so must Okafor.
EG hasn't done anything with this deal that's not reversible, I don't think. The deal MIGHT work out.
Bye bye Beal.