What Should the Wizards Should Do with the 5th Pick?

[AgentOvechkin08]

Where is the #22 pick coming from?

Read the first sentence of my post

[tkunit]

I was not part of RealGM nation when we did the AJ for #5 pick deal, but I recall that it sort of came out of nowhere. Am I right?

I'd say that's accurate. I don't recall talking about Jamison at all on the boards back then. We were mostly debating whether or not Kwame would develop into anything worth having. I also think many of us saw Jamison as a SF at the time because that's what he played in Dallas (from what I remember Grunfeld also planned to use him at SF but Kwame's foot injury that offseason necesitated playing Jamison at PF and EJ loved it so much he stayed with it).

But with the number of well read board members that we have now who are scouring the "internets" for rumors and posting trade ideas of their own, I doubt Ernie will do something that hasn't been brought up at least once here.

We were fighting over Childress and some other crappy players, while a few cried out for Iggy and I was crying out for Biedrins. I seem to remember thinking the deal was gonna be for howard when it broke.

[MJG]

That's a good point, LR. Hopefully the offer we take is not one currently being discussed. I was not part of RealGM nation when we did the AJ for #5 pick deal, but I recall that it sort of came out of nowhere. Am I right?

My memory of the time: people generally liked Deng and Iguodala, were against Childress (or at least, considered him the boring, safe pick), were somewhat intrigued by Livingston, didn't consider Harris or Gordon as likely options, and paid scattered attention to everyone else. That was it; I don't recall the idea of any trade being seriously discussed, let alone a trade specifically for Jamison.

I wasn't an active participant at the time though, so if someone who was thinks my recollection is crazy, please do correct me.

[mhd]

I was there during the Jamison trade. NO ONE thought about him at all. There was an active ABC coalition ("Anyone but Childress") going on I wanted Iggy, but thought Deng was going to be the pick.

[Benjammin]

That's a good point, LR. Hopefully the offer we take is not one currently being discussed. I was not part of RealGM nation when we did the AJ for #5 pick deal, but I recall that it sort of came out of nowhere. Am I right?

My memory of the time: people generally liked Deng and Iguodala, were against Childress (or at least, considered him the boring, safe pick), were somewhat intrigued by Livingston, didn't consider Harris or Gordon as likely options, and paid scattered attention to everyone else. That was it; I don't recall the idea of any trade being seriously discussed, let alone a trade specifically for Jamison.

I wasn't an active participant at the time though, so if someone who was thinks my recollection is crazy, please do correct me.

That is consistent with my memory as well. I started the ABC movement (anyone but Childress), but now in the right situation I think he is a good player. I preferred Iggy and Deng but was also intrigued by Livingston. The other thing about that draft day is that we were going to have a draft party at Grevey's but we canceled it when the trade was announced because there was no longer any suspense. I was disappointed because I wanted to meet some of our real gmers in person.

[barelyawake]

I love how most on RealGM (I mean outside of this board) continually have zippy idea about our team. And obviously it's because reporters, themselves, have no clue about our team. I read all these line-ups without Dom or McGee even on them. Hear comments like, "Wiz don't have any young players to develop." People still don't even understand the impact of Haywood (and he's been in the league forever). Etc. I'm too bored to write a chapter to correct all the misconceptions.

That said, no one has brought up the Josh Howard/Obama comments/YouTube video. I seriously doubt if Abe would trade for Howard. I mean, we do want Obama to visit more games right? And you really think Howard with Blatche is a good idea (I mean off the court)?

But, I could think of some interesting Dallas trades that go beyond the rumored trade, and get us either Damp or Terry off the bench (where we give up guys like Blatche).

[AgentOvechkin08]

I love how most on RealGM (I mean outside of this board) continually have zippy idea about our team. And obviously it's because reporters, themselves, have no clue about our team. I read all these line-ups without Dom or McGee even on them. Hear comments like, "Wiz don't have any young players to develop." People still don't even understand the impact of Haywood (and he's been in the league forever). Etc. I'm too bored to write a chapter to correct all the misconceptions.

That said, no one has brought up the Josh Howard/Obama comments/YouTube video. I seriously doubt if Abe would trade for Howard. I mean, we do want Obama to visit more games right? And you really think Howard with Blatche is a good idea (I mean off the court)?

But, I could think of some interesting Dallas trades that go beyond the rumored trade, and get us either Damp or Terry off the bench (where we give up guys like Blatche).

I have been thinking the exact same thing with the youtube video, i still remember all the **** he got for that.

Also agree with everything you said in the 1st paragraph

[LyricalRico]

But, I could think of some interesting Dallas trades that go beyond the rumored trade, and get us either Damp or Terry off the bench (where we give up guys like Blatche).

Interesting. I'm probably the guy who would most want to see Blatche traded but even I wouldn't touch Terry's contract, especially not with our current luxury tax issues. Maybe Dampier since the last year of his deal becomes non-guaranteed if he doesn't play 2100 minutes (meaning he would become an expiring contract playing limited minutes behind Haywood), but Dallas would have to give us somebody we could actually use. Other than Barea who do they have?

[WizarDynasty]

I trading the #5 pick for Howard and expiring gives a solid vet that can produce now. Outside of Clark, Howard gives us the legit on court production that this team sorely needs.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

I trading the #5 pick for Howard and expiring gives a solid vet that can produce now. Outside of Clark, Howard gives us the legit on court production that this team sorely needs.

I the Donkey

[nate33]

From Chad Ford:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009 ... aft-090610

"As we've been reporting since draft lottery night, the Wizards continue to shop the pick. A source in Washington told me that they've had a number of interesting offers. Their goal is to get back a veteran who can play right now and to shed a few million dollars off their cap if possible.

A number of teams including the Knicks, Mavericks, Rockets and Pacers are all possibilities here. If they keep the pick, they'll have a tough choice between Harden and Hill. From the intel I've received, it sounds as though Harden may be slightly ahead.
"

Wow. Chad Ford has Tyreke Evans going 4th, or possibly 2nd in the draft. Chad tends to get more accurate the closer we get to draft night, so this may well be true. I hope he's right. If Evans and Thabeet both go in the top 4, it'll guarantee that we get either Rubio or Harden.

[fishercob]

Blake Griffin had a chat this afternoon on ESPN>com. Someone asked him besides him, who was the best player in the draft. Two word response: "Stephen Curry."

FWIW.

[Mel Proctor]

I [heart] Tyreke Evans.

From the first time I saw him against G-town, I was quite impressed. It boggles the mind how GMs could rate Jennings over him, when Jennings didn't even do diddly for his Euroleague team. At some point, on-court production has got to matter for something, right? Right?!

My point is that if Evans is there, we gotta take him, even over Hill. I'm nervous that Harden just isn't athletic enough, even though he is left-handed and therefore gets off a couple of extra shots per game that he ordinarily wouldn't because defenders will be surprised when he shoots with that left hand.

All this being said, I really would like to get a solid, veteran, AJ-type player with our pick. I really like the Josh Howard idea because he is a good player, positions be damned...

[LyricalRico]

From Chad Ford:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009 ... aft-090610

"As we've been reporting since draft lottery night, the Wizards continue to shop the pick. A source in Washington told me that they've had a number of interesting offers. Their goal is to get back a veteran who can play right now and to shed a few million dollars off their cap if possible.

A number of teams including the Knicks, Mavericks, Rockets and Pacers are all possibilities here. If they keep the pick, they'll have a tough choice between Harden and Hill. From the intel I've received, it sounds as though Harden may be slightly ahead."

Wow. Chad Ford has Tyreke Evans going 4th, or possibly 2nd in the draft. Chad tends to get more accurate the closer we get to draft night, so this may well be true. I hope he's right. If Evans and Thabeet both go in the top 4, it'll guarantee that we get either Rubio or Harden.

Chad could very well be right on the money. But I think it means that Harden slips - not Rubio. Ford said that Presti is an "opportunist". If Griffin/Thabeet go 1-2 and Rubio is there at #3, I think the Thunder take him and shop him. Rubio to Portland for Fernandez+Sergio+24+2010first is an interesting thought. Maybe they also dump Collison as part of the deal.

If Rubio is taken/traded by OKC, then that leaves the Kings in a position where they would probably take the guy with the most upside. That's probably Tyreke Evans. And voila - Harden falls right into our laps at #5.

Hmmm...I wonder if we took Curry that Harden wouldn't fall to 8 where we could swap with the Knicks? Minny needs both a PG and a SF. GSW need s PG or a PF. Between the two, I would expect picks 6 and 7 to come from this group: Holiday, DeRozan, or HIll. That leaves Harden waiting at #8 and we trade.

I really don't see anybody in the top 8 that would be interested in Harden except OKC and us.

[barelyawake]

I'm probably the guy who would most want to see Blatche traded but even I wouldn't touch Terry's contract, especially not with our current luxury tax issues. Maybe Dampier since the last year of his deal becomes non-guaranteed if he doesn't play 2100 minutes (meaning he would become an expiring contract playing limited minutes behind Haywood), but Dallas would have to give us somebody we could actually use. Other than Barea who do they have?

Well, first off, as I said I think there is no way we even trade for Howard. That said, for it to work (an expanded trade, that let's Dallas really rebuild, and us really "go for it"), you would have to be of the opinion that Java can play PF (which I am). And trust me, I know it's a lot of money. But, we are currently spending that money on guys like the DS and Etan. Would you rather have DS for two years or Terry for three?

Arenas/Terry
Howard/Dom
Caron/Howard/Dom
AJ/Java
Haywood/Java

I like it. Without getting a Bosh, I'd say that's one of the best line-ups we could field. Again, rebounding wouldn't be a problem. We have three very good defenders on the perimter now. You'd have roughly "starter" quality players on the floor at all times.

We might need to MLE more bigs or somehow hold-on to Song, Blatche or get Dallas' #22 and take a big. As I said, it's expensive. But, hey if Abe really does want to go for it, it's going to cost money. That or we'll have to get really lucky at some point. And if Dallas is really trading Howard, then they are more than likely rebuilding. And some combo of Blatche, Young, #5, Crit etc would let them rebuild faster.

That said, I don't think we'll trade for Howard.

[Kanyewest]

I can't think of anything Etan does that Blatche doesn't do better. Etan sucks. His only use is that he can commit 6 fouls. Unfortunately, despite his bulky appearance, he doesn't even commit hard fouls.

It doesn't matter. Etan is sure to get hurt within his first 500 minutes of action.

Before his heart surgery, Etan was a better rebounder per 36 minutes (seasons with 10 and 9) and has had a better TS% (53% compared to 51%). I'm also going to say Etan is better at staying in shape compared to Blatche. Granted, Blatche is the superior but his skill set, he should be a much better player.

[LyricalRico]

Arenas/Terry
Howard/Dom
Caron/Howard/Dom
AJ/Java
Haywood/Java

Sorry man but I gotta admit that the first word that came to my mind when I saw that rotation was "yuck". Even if I conceded that McGee can play PF (which I don't), you still have Howard and Terry playing out of position. Josh Howard isn't a SG any more than Butler is and Terry hasn't played PG since his days in Atlanta. Why? Because he's not a PG. Sorry but zero depth plus guys playing out of position equals disaster IMO.

[barelyawake]

I understand why you disagree. And I'm not going to debate this. It's silly since it's never going to happen. I'll simply tell you my thinking.

Even if I conceded that McGee can play PF (which I don't), you still have Howard and Terry playing out of position.

Howard has played SG. Is he better at SF? Of course. And the only problem with SFs playing SGs is whether or not they can defend SGs. Howard has proven many times over that he can. In fact, Howard can defend 2, 3, and 4. Which means with him on the floor, you don't have to worry about switches as much. It also means we have shutdown defenders at every spot. And as I said, with SFs at SG, you increase your rebounding -- thus, increase your fast breaking ability and decrease second chance points.

Terry hasn't played PG since his days in Atlanta. Why? Because he's not a PG.

Is he more of a PG than Crit? Do you think he'd be more effective than Crit? Also, with that line-up, for a third of the time you can rotate Terry to SG with Arenas. And since Terry is such a good defender, that works as well.

Sorry but zero depth plus guys playing out of position equals disaster IMO.

Right. I didn't actually think through a trade. I was just throwing a line-up out to give a general idea. I'd MLE a defensive C etc. Or, as I said, try to keep Blatche. It really depends on how badly they want to get rid of Howard. Anyway, whatever.... not worth debating something that isn't going to happen.

[LyricalRico]

Also, with that line-up, for a third of the time you can rotate Terry to SG with Arenas. And since Terry is such a good defender, that works as well.

I can "agree to disagree" with everything except that. Yikes!

[barelyawake]

I can "agree to disagree" with everything except that. Yikes!

I don't understand why Terry/Arenas/Howard is yikes, but Barbosa or Curry/Arenas/Caron seems just fine with people. Or even Arenas/Mike Miller/Caron. Or worse, Curry/Mike Miller/Caron. At least with mine, you are assured that two of the men are covered. The other set I wouldn't be assured anyone was shutdown, and I only have confidence in Caron somewhat defending his position. Especially since Terry can defend ones and twos, and Arenas likes defending SGs better. And obviously, it'd be based on match-ups. And you'd be able to hide Arenas on the worst player. Further, my comment was mostly based on you saying Terry should play SG. I like bigger line-ups. I'd keep Terry at PG. I was simply saying it was an option. Anyway, lol I keep saying I won't debate something that's never going to happen. This time I mean it... Yes, let's just agree to disagree...