Chuck Texas & PMOTT3's Early Off-Season Review: Washington Wizards
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:56 pm
Chuck Texas Review
Key Losses:
Truth -- this one really hurts
Other losses:
Rasual Butler
Kevin Seraphin
Draft:
Kelly Oubre Jr
Aaron White
I'm not a huge fan of Oubre, but I think they knew they risked losing Pierce
Trades:
Moved up to take Oubre-- again they had a plan and executed it which is good. Got Dudley for nothing which was a smart pickup.
Free Agency:
Alan Anderson
Drew Gooden
Gary Neal
They bargain shopped and got some useful players. Feels like an overpay for Gooden, but its one year so whatever.
Current Depth Chart (this is really rough):
Marcin Gortat/Kris Humphries/DeJuan Blair
Nene/Drew Gooden/
Otto Porter Jr/Jared Dudley/Kelly Oubre/Martell Webster
Bradley Beal/Alan Anderson/Garrett Temple
John Wall/Ramon Sessions
Needs:
Another big man. Nene is probably the real back-up center but other than that its undersized guys and Blair couldn't get off the bench last year. Another PG. Maybe the return of Dre? Would also like to see an athletic young big to pair with Wall.
Added Thoughts:
I think Truth is a major major loss. I think they can replace most of what he brought on the court, tho they will miss some of his shot creation. But his leadership and confidence and veteran savvy is a big hole. I love John Wall but he needs more help. They really need Oubre to be ready to give minutes so they can play small a lot. I think their best chance of winning is to play Gortat, Wall and three wings together as much as possible. And Beal has to be a consistent go-to guy for them all year. Season rests on his shoulders as much as anyones.
Win/loss Prediction: 43-39
This team takes a step back this year. I would like to see them find a way to add another key piece while maintaining flexibility for KD. He's been the plan for years now but does he see enough already in place?
Off-Season Grade: C-
Losing Truth is a huge blow and the additions of Dudley/Anderson doesn't make up for it.
PMOTT3 Review
Key Losses:
Paul Pierce- Yea this one will sting, especially in late game moments.
Other Losses:
Kevin Seraphin, Rasual Butler
Draft:
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Aaron White
I loved the decision to take Oubre. It only cost the wiz two 2nds to move up from #19 to #15 so i see it as a low risk/high reward move. Its too early to tell if he will develop but i see the potential. He's had some good spurts in SL as well.
Trades:
#19, 16' 2nd, and 19' 2nd for Kelly Oubre Jr.
future (protected?) 2nd for Jared Dudley
I dont like that they have traded away three 2nd round picks in one off-season but I'd trade a 2nd anyday over a 1st. I like the addition of Dudley. Cost them next to nothing and he's a high IQ role player. I loved the trade up for Oubre. He was seen as a late lotto pick anywhere from #10-#14 in most mocks so to be able to grab him at #15 for the cost of two 2nds is a gamble I'd take almost every time.
Free Agency:
Alan Anderson
Drew Gooden
Gary Neal
I agree with CT that they bargain shopped but i see it working out well for them. Anderson and Dudley will probably have the biggest impact for the wizards this season more than any other addition they've made this off-season. Neal is too hit and miss for my liking but with a PG like Wall i suspect he'll be getting some good looks for his shots. And most importantly of all, they've been able to bring in all these role players off the bench for this season without cutting into the cap space for next season. I wonder which player they have their eyes set on next free agency?
Current Depth Chart:
PG: John Wall/Ramon Sessions
SG: Bradley Beal/Alan Anderson/Garnett Temple
SF: Otto Porter Jr./Jared Dudley/Kelly Oubre Jr./Martell Webster
PF: Nene/Drew Gooden/Dejuan Blair
C: Marcin Gortat/Kris Humphries
Needs:
Despite Randy Wittless actually adapting in the PO last season and running some good small ball lineups, i still want to see them get a new HC. His good moments in the playoffs last year doesn't make up for all the bad ones during their 82 game season imo. They need a coach who emphasizes the 3 ball and not consistently taking long 2's. Plus there's no returning from that clip board vine, there just isnt. I'll cut Randy some slack though if he actually adapts.
For the most part i agree with CT here though. Their big man depth lacks height/size and I'd like to see them add 1 more stretch 4. They need another ball handler so adding a young PG to develop or a second vet PG would make a lot of sense.
Added Thoughts:
I'm probably in the minority here but I'm predicting a big season from Washington despite losing Pierce. Bradley Beal really emerged in the playoffs last season and had some huge games against my hawks in the 2nd round (which was even more impressive in the absence of Wall). He's ready and I think he takes the leap this year and becomes a top 2-3 SG. The loss of PP is obviously going to hurt a lot and no role player will be able to match his production; especially not his clutchness. But Pierce didn't really go into god mode until the playoffs started. So i see his absence being more missed in the playoffs when nearly every game is down to the wire. Making sure all of their additions didnt cut into the cap space they're using for next years "KD2DC" campaign was smart. This team will definitely make the playoffs and i see them fighting for a top 3-4 seed and HCA in round 1.
Win/Loss Prediction: 50-32
Wall and Beal become the best back court in the East. I am hoping Randy adapts to more small ball lineups and uses Nene as back up center. Like i said, i have a feeling I'll end up in the minority on this one.
Overall Grade: C+
Losing Paul Pierce is definitely going to sting but as i said before, i think his absence will be most missed in the playoffs vs the regular season. I liked that they were able to bring in solid role players AND preserve cap space for next season at the same time. Oubre is a "?" for now but it was a low-cost gamble to take. Getting Dudley for a bag of chips was another good move. Not an exciting off-season but definitely not a bad one.
Key Losses:
Truth -- this one really hurts
Other losses:
Rasual Butler
Kevin Seraphin
Draft:
Kelly Oubre Jr
Aaron White
I'm not a huge fan of Oubre, but I think they knew they risked losing Pierce
Trades:
Moved up to take Oubre-- again they had a plan and executed it which is good. Got Dudley for nothing which was a smart pickup.
Free Agency:
Alan Anderson
Drew Gooden
Gary Neal
They bargain shopped and got some useful players. Feels like an overpay for Gooden, but its one year so whatever.
Current Depth Chart (this is really rough):
Marcin Gortat/Kris Humphries/DeJuan Blair
Nene/Drew Gooden/
Otto Porter Jr/Jared Dudley/Kelly Oubre/Martell Webster
Bradley Beal/Alan Anderson/Garrett Temple
John Wall/Ramon Sessions
Needs:
Another big man. Nene is probably the real back-up center but other than that its undersized guys and Blair couldn't get off the bench last year. Another PG. Maybe the return of Dre? Would also like to see an athletic young big to pair with Wall.
Added Thoughts:
I think Truth is a major major loss. I think they can replace most of what he brought on the court, tho they will miss some of his shot creation. But his leadership and confidence and veteran savvy is a big hole. I love John Wall but he needs more help. They really need Oubre to be ready to give minutes so they can play small a lot. I think their best chance of winning is to play Gortat, Wall and three wings together as much as possible. And Beal has to be a consistent go-to guy for them all year. Season rests on his shoulders as much as anyones.
Win/loss Prediction: 43-39
This team takes a step back this year. I would like to see them find a way to add another key piece while maintaining flexibility for KD. He's been the plan for years now but does he see enough already in place?
Off-Season Grade: C-
Losing Truth is a huge blow and the additions of Dudley/Anderson doesn't make up for it.
PMOTT3 Review
Key Losses:
Paul Pierce- Yea this one will sting, especially in late game moments.
Other Losses:
Kevin Seraphin, Rasual Butler
Draft:
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Aaron White
I loved the decision to take Oubre. It only cost the wiz two 2nds to move up from #19 to #15 so i see it as a low risk/high reward move. Its too early to tell if he will develop but i see the potential. He's had some good spurts in SL as well.
Trades:
#19, 16' 2nd, and 19' 2nd for Kelly Oubre Jr.
future (protected?) 2nd for Jared Dudley
I dont like that they have traded away three 2nd round picks in one off-season but I'd trade a 2nd anyday over a 1st. I like the addition of Dudley. Cost them next to nothing and he's a high IQ role player. I loved the trade up for Oubre. He was seen as a late lotto pick anywhere from #10-#14 in most mocks so to be able to grab him at #15 for the cost of two 2nds is a gamble I'd take almost every time.
Free Agency:
Alan Anderson
Drew Gooden
Gary Neal
I agree with CT that they bargain shopped but i see it working out well for them. Anderson and Dudley will probably have the biggest impact for the wizards this season more than any other addition they've made this off-season. Neal is too hit and miss for my liking but with a PG like Wall i suspect he'll be getting some good looks for his shots. And most importantly of all, they've been able to bring in all these role players off the bench for this season without cutting into the cap space for next season. I wonder which player they have their eyes set on next free agency?
Current Depth Chart:
PG: John Wall/Ramon Sessions
SG: Bradley Beal/Alan Anderson/Garnett Temple
SF: Otto Porter Jr./Jared Dudley/Kelly Oubre Jr./Martell Webster
PF: Nene/Drew Gooden/Dejuan Blair
C: Marcin Gortat/Kris Humphries
Needs:
Despite Randy Wittless actually adapting in the PO last season and running some good small ball lineups, i still want to see them get a new HC. His good moments in the playoffs last year doesn't make up for all the bad ones during their 82 game season imo. They need a coach who emphasizes the 3 ball and not consistently taking long 2's. Plus there's no returning from that clip board vine, there just isnt. I'll cut Randy some slack though if he actually adapts.
For the most part i agree with CT here though. Their big man depth lacks height/size and I'd like to see them add 1 more stretch 4. They need another ball handler so adding a young PG to develop or a second vet PG would make a lot of sense.
Added Thoughts:
I'm probably in the minority here but I'm predicting a big season from Washington despite losing Pierce. Bradley Beal really emerged in the playoffs last season and had some huge games against my hawks in the 2nd round (which was even more impressive in the absence of Wall). He's ready and I think he takes the leap this year and becomes a top 2-3 SG. The loss of PP is obviously going to hurt a lot and no role player will be able to match his production; especially not his clutchness. But Pierce didn't really go into god mode until the playoffs started. So i see his absence being more missed in the playoffs when nearly every game is down to the wire. Making sure all of their additions didnt cut into the cap space they're using for next years "KD2DC" campaign was smart. This team will definitely make the playoffs and i see them fighting for a top 3-4 seed and HCA in round 1.
Win/Loss Prediction: 50-32
Wall and Beal become the best back court in the East. I am hoping Randy adapts to more small ball lineups and uses Nene as back up center. Like i said, i have a feeling I'll end up in the minority on this one.
Overall Grade: C+
Losing Paul Pierce is definitely going to sting but as i said before, i think his absence will be most missed in the playoffs vs the regular season. I liked that they were able to bring in solid role players AND preserve cap space for next season at the same time. Oubre is a "?" for now but it was a low-cost gamble to take. Getting Dudley for a bag of chips was another good move. Not an exciting off-season but definitely not a bad one.
