Official 2023 Wizards OFFSEASON Thread

[payitforward]

Well the idea in the text of that link -- referencing Markkanen & Walker Kessler -- is more interesting than the idea in the article once you click on the link!

All the same, to be sure, I'd take Collins & a R1 pick for Kuzma -- tho I imagine that'll be a minority opinion on the Board!

Collins has gone downhill a ton in the last year or so, but he's a better player than Kuz all the same -- & he's fully two years younger as well! It would be no surprise for him to have a big bounce-back season in Utah. Given that the trade also brings a R1 pick... I wouldn't hesitate.

That said, I can't imagine Danny looking for that trade!

[nate33]

Since this board is quiet rn… thoughts on this random writer’s proposal?

https://nbaanalysis.net/2023/08/23/nba-trade-rumors-utah-jazz-washington-wizards-kyle-kuzma-laur-markkanen-jordan-poole-walker-kessler-proposal-news/

Washington Wizards receive: F/C John Collins, 2025 First-Round Pick (CLE via UTA)

Utah Jazz receive: F Kyle Kuzma

I'd definitely make that trade right now because I think there's a reasonable chance that Collins bounces back well enough that the downgrade from Kuzma to Collins is minimal. However, the trade can't happen now (as the article points out) because Kuzma was just signed.

Since the trade can't happen until December 15th, Utah will have enough time to see if Collins is having a bounce-back year in a new system. If Collins is playing well, they probably won't make this trade. And if Collins is playing poorly enough that they want to trade him, then he would probably be too much of a downgrade for me to like the deal. Basically, we would be trading Kuzma for a pretty horrible dead-weight contract of $26M a year for 3 more years just to get a mid-first pick. I think Kuzma could be worth more another year or two down the road.

[penbeast0]

Well the idea in the text of that link -- referencing Markkanen & Walker Kessler -- is more interesting than the idea in the article once you click on the link!

All the same, to be sure, I'd take Collins & a R1 pick for Kuzma -- tho I imagine that'll be a minority opinion on the Board!

Collins has gone downhill a ton in the last year or so, but he's a better player than Kuz all the same -- & he's fully two years younger as well! It would be no surprise for him to have a big bounce-back season in Utah. Given that the trade also brings a R1 pick... I wouldn't hesitate.

That said, I can't imagine Danny looking for that trade!

I'm not sure we have enough talent that if we wanted Kessler and Markannen and we offered Utah the next 10 guys off our combined roster, they still would probably say no.

[payitforward]

You are very likely correct!

[Frichuela]

Dunk aside, Garuba continued with his strong defensive performance in FIBA World Cup today vs Brazil...Come on Dawkins sign the kid!

Read on Twitter

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[payitforward]

It's certainly been an active offseason, as one would expect given an entirely new FO taking over a perennial 30-something win team. & I'd say the board has been in favor of pretty much every move the new FO has made. No one has been explicitly critical of any of the offseason changes. OTOH, there's been at least one case (Usman Garuba) where Dawkins didn't do something that, rightly or wrongly, seems like it would be a good idea. We even have an open 2-way slot we could use on him.

Overall, they've been decisive & active, & big-time change is under way. That said, August has been quiet, & it looks like they' might be done making moves.*

If so, although it's obviously too early to give their moves a final grade, I wonder whether anyone here thinks there have been opportunities we've failed to see (or at least haven't acted on). I.e. what more should/could have been done? "More" or "other."

The only thing I might add is that I wish they'd been able to keep Jordan Goodwin -- he's young, cheap, & very effective.

Anyone have some other thoughts?


* Of course, it might just be the whole league taking off August, & when Labor Day is behind us, maybe things will pick up again.

[doclinkin]

It's certainly been an active offseason, as one would expect given an entirely new FO taking over a perennial 30-something win team. & I'd say the board has been in favor of pretty much every move the new FO has made. No one has been explicitly critical of any of the offseason changes. OTOH, there's been at least one case (Usman Garuba) where Dawkins didn't do something that, rightly or wrongly, seems like it would be a good idea. We even have an open 2-way slot we could use on him.

Overall, they've been decisive & active, & big-time change is under way. That said, August has been quiet, & it looks like they' might be done making moves.*

If so, although it's obviously too early to give their moves a final grade, I wonder whether anyone here thinks there have been opportunities we've failed to see (or at least haven't acted on). I.e. what more should/could have been done? "More" or "other."

Areas of necessary improvement: Upgrading player development, analytics, coaching squad. It's possible the team can do all that with the right addition on the bench.

Given that our guard pool is the strength of this team, I'd love to see a guy like Rajon Rondo added to the bench as an assistant. Smart player who knows how to evaluate and adjust mid-game. Teammates of Rondo cite him as one of the smartest players they ever played with. In a recent interview with JJ Redick, Rondo talked about watching the opposing coach in game and in the film room to compete against them, instead of whichever players he was facing that night.

We don't have successful vets on the club who bring an OG veteran energy with a winning mindset. As our representative former champs we lean on Poole and Kuzma, both of whom were role-players on their championship teams. It would be useful to have a winning vet on the squad who can teach how to be a pro if not exemplify it in the locker room.

My impression is NCAA champ Tyus Jones is the closest we have to a guy who brings a rock serious winning mindset. Doesn't matter to me if it is on the roster or on the coaching staff, we need an Andre Iguodala type who commands respect and can teach from having done the job. Iggy no doubt will land with Miami or GSW if he chooses to sit a bench, though I can see him rising up to head a front office, and he has business interests that may be more interesting and profiting. But Rondo strikes me as a guy who has been out of the league for a year and may be interested in seeing what his role might be in the game now that his playing career is in the rearview. And actually now I recall Rondo was a teammate of Kuz in that bubble championship, which may add strength to his influence given that Kuz has been suggested as the captain of this current team.

[DCZards]

While I recognize and love his bball smarts, former stars/champs like Rondo are not players I’d consider to be ideal asst coaches.

I prefer role players who did not have all-star talent and had to work extra hard to earn their NBA roster spots. Former longtime NBA assistants like Pels head coach Willie Green, Kings coach Darvin Ham, and the Bucks new head coach Adrian Griffin come to mind in that respect.

Current Zards asst coach James Posey, who won a championship with the Heat in 2006 and another one in 2008 with Rondo and the Celts, is the kind of asst coach I place a high value on. I’ve always liked Posey’s consistency, toughness and versatility as a player.

The Zards also just added David Vanterpool as an assistant coach. From everything I’ve read, he’s highly regarded, especially by players, and is considered head coach material.

[doclinkin]

Often I agree. Looking for Steve Kerr types who had to grind and be smarter than everyone in order to find a spot on a roster. Rondo to me is one of that kind though. Players who were coaches on the floor when they played and carried that mindset even into practice or from the bench. Rondo is one of those rare highly talented overachiever types. One who didn't succeed solely by superior athleticism but by a superlative grasp of the game and the moment. He's going to be a good one. More Lenny Wilkens than Steve Nash. Or even Penny Hardaway who made a successful transition to NCAA coach. I get the sense he would appreciate his role as an assistant, shaping the game from behind the scenes more so than requiring the spotlight. He likes the nuts and bolts of the game. I do think he will be a good head coach eventually, I just think he will appreciate the apprenticeship opportunities along the way, and I like him as a possible (point) guard whisperer. Especially for a cat like Jordan Poole who could use focus on the defensive aspects of the position.

Watch on YouTube

[payitforward]

Hey doc -- you'll be interested in this article:
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/272871/Kings-Have-Five-Centers-Competing-For-Two-Roster-Spots

Upshot being that Neemias Queta might be on the loose pretty soon.

[doclinkin]

Hey doc -- you'll be interested in this article:
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/272871/Kings-Have-Five-Centers-Competing-For-Two-Roster-Spots

Upshot being that Neemias Queta might be on the loose pretty soon.

Oooh, hey. You know my contention, that size is an undervalued commodity right now. Adding beef to the back end of the bench becomes necessary for post season play for every team other than Golden State. Low post buckets are still the highest percentage play in the game, unless you have Stef or KD. You do need something more than just scoring from the low-post spot, but if you add one other skill, be it passing, a ranged jumper, shutdown rim defense or mobility to cover the pick and roll, then you have a necessary player.

I keep being proven both right and wrong. The postseason features big players who pass well, score and defend in the paint. I had hopes for Trevion Williams (now seasoning overseas in the Bundesliga, playing next to Spain's wonderboy Juan Nunez and the Brazilian energizer bunny Yago, both at PG. That should be a fun team to watch). But I guess his defense and inability to add range to his jumper sent him to Europe.

Likewise Neemias Queta is in jeopardy of being cut from the league. Still, I like his size, steals, shotblocking, positive ast:to ratio. I'd love to add him with our 2-way if possible. I think these sort of moves are why the FO has been sitting quiet for a month or so. We have one open slot, lets see if we can recruit the best of whomever gets cut.

From my perspective Queta is exactly the sort of player we are missing. A 3rd center. Change of pace in adding mass and a low-post game beyond catch and dunk. A bit of bulk down low, smart in the screen/pick/passing game, mobile and agile relative to his massive size. Of course you want him to add range to his jumper, but he plays the role well otherwise.

Watch on YouTube

I want him. Adding JaVale this late in the offseason suggests Sactown is less enamored of what he adds. Maybe it is his injury history? Or something else behind the scenes.

[payitforward]

Yup -- i'd love to add Queta.

[payitforward]

An interesting & intelligent take on the Wizards rebuild and coming season:

Watch on YouTube

[dckingsfan]

Yup -- i'd love to add Queta.

Queta or Garuba or both?

[Kanyewest]

Hey doc -- you'll be interested in this article:
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/272871/Kings-Have-Five-Centers-Competing-For-Two-Roster-Spots

Upshot being that Neemias Queta might be on the loose pretty soon.

Oooh, hey. You know my contention, that size is an undervalued commodity right now. Adding beef to the back end of the bench becomes necessary for post season play for every team other than Golden State. Low post buckets are still the highest percentage play in the game, unless you have Stef or KD. You do need something more than just scoring from the low-post spot, but if you add one other skill, be it passing, a ranged jumper, shutdown rim defense or mobility to cover the pick and roll, then you have a necessary player.

I keep being proven both right and wrong. The postseason features big players who pass well, score and defend in the paint. I had hopes for Trevion Williams (now seasoning overseas in the Bundesliga, playing next to Spain's wonderboy Juan Nunez and the Brazilian energizer bunny Yago, both at PG. That should be a fun team to watch). But I guess his defense and inability to add range to his jumper sent him to Europe.

Likewise Neemias Queta is in jeopardy of being cut from the league. Still, I like his size, steals, shotblocking, positive ast:to ratio. I'd love to add him with our 2-way if possible. I think these sort of moves are why the FO has been sitting quiet for a month or so. We have one open slot, lets see if we can recruit the best of whomever gets cut.

From my perspective Queta is exactly the sort of player we are missing. A 3rd center. Change of pace in adding mass and a low-post game beyond catch and dunk. A bit of bulk down low, smart in the screen/pick/passing game, mobile and agile relative to his massive size. Of course you want him to add range to his jumper, but he plays the role well otherwise.

Watch on YouTube

I want him. Adding JaVale this late in the offseason suggests Sactown is less enamored of what he adds. Maybe it is his injury history? Or something else behind the scenes.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

[doclinkin]

An interesting & intelligent take on the Wizards rebuild and coming season:

Watch on YouTube

Interesting. For all the nice things he says about the Wizards, he has the team at 30 with the 'worst roster in the league'.

I dunno. I'd take the over on 'worst'.

Though maybe he has a point. Teams that were worse than us before we lost Zinger and Beal are stocked with young talented players that have not yet put it together, but are sure to improve. Orlando and Detroit in particular are likely to grow as their talent matures. Shoot, Orlando has two world champs!!! on the roster. Orlando uber alles I guess.

Charlotte? Depends if Meloball is healthy. And how quickly Brandon Miller clicks. I like some of their other pieces. Mark Williams. Nick Richards.

Brooklyn. Brooklyn is sure to drop. Their record was inflated by KD and Kyrie. Who do they have now? Dinwiddie. Ben Simmons. Mikal Bridges. Nic Claxton. DFS. Okay. I guess I can see them being better in the short term. I'm not sold. Seems to me the loss of Patty Mills is big for them. And I'd take Tyus Stones over Spencer Dinwiddie to run a team any day. I don't think Jones knows how to sulk, has never pouted a day in his life whereas Dinwiddie is still salty from his time here and can't stop picking at it.

I do think there's a strong chance we will surprise and play better than expected. But that depends on chemistry and team play, more than a talent-for-talent match-up.

Poor timing though if this is the year we bottom out. I like a lot of the players ranked at the top, but there are players currently further back that look like surefire guys who are being overlooked. Like I think I like Justin Edwards over Ron Holland, personally. Have to see more of both. And I'm not sure who is ahead in the Matas Buzelis, Zachary Rissacher, etc lanky Euro race. It's a good year for skilled forwards. I want skilled big Izan Almanza though, and in most mocks he's not currently mocked top 5 even.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Who’s got Dawkins’ cell number? Deluge him with texts to sign Queta.

[payitforward]

Yup -- i'd love to add Queta.

Queta or Garuba or both?

One only -- no doubt Garuba over Queta.

In any case, adding either seems unlikely at this point.....

[nate33]

An interesting & intelligent take on the Wizards rebuild and coming season:

Watch on YouTube

Interesting. For all the nice things he says about the Wizards, he has the team at 30 with the 'worst roster in the league'.

I dunno. I'd take the over on 'worst'.

Though maybe he has a point. Teams that were worse than us before we lost Zinger and Beal are stocked with young talented players that have not yet put it together, but are sure to improve. Orlando and Detroit in particular are likely to grow as their talent matures. Shoot, Orlando has two world champs!!! on the roster. Orlando uber alles I guess.

Charlotte? Depends if Meloball is healthy. And how quickly Brandon Miller clicks. I like some of their other pieces. Mark Williams. Nick Richards.

Brooklyn. Brooklyn is sure to drop. Their record was inflated by KD and Kyrie. Who do they have now? Dinwiddie. Ben Simmons. Mikal Bridges. Nic Claxton. DFS. Okay. I guess I can see them being better in the short term. I'm not sold. Seems to me the loss of Patty Mills is big for them. And I'd take Tyus Stones over Spencer Dinwiddie to run a team any day. I don't think Jones knows how to sulk, has never pouted a day in his life whereas Dinwiddie is still salty from his time here and can't stop picking at it.

I do think there's a strong chance we will surprise and play better than expected. But that depends on chemistry and team play, more than a talent-for-talent match-up.

Poor timing though if this is the year we bottom out. I like a lot of the players ranked at the top, but there are players currently further back that look like surefire guys who are being overlooked. Like I think I like Justin Edwards over Ron Holland, personally. Have to see more of both. And I'm not sure who is ahead in the Matas Buzelis, Zachary Rissacher, etc lanky Euro race. It's a good year for skilled forwards. I want skilled big Izan Almanza though, and in most mocks he's not currently mocked top 5 even.

I think we are in competition with Detroit and San Antonio for the worst roster in the league.

[doclinkin]

Which I guess speaks to how talented you have to be to earn a spot in the NBA.

Wemby, Sochan, Tre Jones, Vassel, Keldon Johnson does not sound like a worthless bunch to me.
Likewise Detroit seems talented, just lacking seasoning.