Official 2023 Wizards OFFSEASON Thread

[badinage]

Avdija would start on DENVER. I have little doubt about that.

(This idea of “starter material” is funny to me … The Sixers’ title team — the Sixers who went 65-17 — started Marc Iavaroni. The Showtime Lakers started Kurt Rambis.)

[doclinkin]

Being a wizards fan is inherently irrational. I've heard some Wizards podcasters say they think we could be a play-in team this year. Whatever weed they're smoking, send some my way...

Scenario:

Floor captain PG. Tyus Stones makes his case.
A contract year for Tyus Jones coincides with his first full-time opportunity as a starting PG. This is his first (and maybe last) chance to earn real money. He is entering his prime career years with a chip on his shoulder. Memphis discarded him after he had an admittedly terrible post season series against LeLakers. Not sure why he is the scapegoat. The Grizz had other distractions and complications with Ja Morant's off court issues, Dillon Brooks provoking LeBJ to go super-sayan, etc. Otherwise in his regular season minutes starting for the squad Tyus Stones played notably well, elevating the play of those who share the court with him in solid +/- stats.

If he can carry this team to the playoffs, against all doubts, he earns a significant paycheck. If he can then demonstrate he does know how to play well when the stakes are highest (carrying Duke to a National Championship as a freshman), hey, his family is set for life.

Spoiler:

In his favor: the team has undervalued role players in key positions including two of the most efficient scorers in the league in Daniel Gafford (league best 2pt FG% above 70% at the rim) and Corey Kispert (hitting 50% from the right corner and 69% on cuts to the basket). The roster has depth in shooters, with options at all positions 1-5 able to hit an above average % from outside. A true combat tactician will know his teammates' games even better than they do, and deliver the ball to them where they indeed have the mismatch. Jones' ridiculous career ast:TO ratio suggests he sees how best to bring this out from his teammates. With success brings confidence, brings competitive arrogance. This team has needed an infusion of leadership. Quite possible Leadership is Jones' best talent.

2G. Jordan Poole, Revenge and redemption tour.The thing that has gotten the most publicity for this highly talented young player is the devastating suckerpunch by a future HOF teammate, and subsequent lack of support by the team. But prior to that he was a bonafide star on the rise. His career will be determined in large part by how he reacts this year. Is he a talented prima donna who is unable to play a team game? Was his post season brilliance a flash in the pan or a byproduct of playing next to some of the best shooters in the game? Or does his swagger in fact translate to winning basketball.

Spoiler:

He will have opportunity to prove it. As with Jones, Poole played well when starting in place of the all-star in front of him. He got to the line at will. Can break down anybody off the dribble when the Refs allow him a bit of freedom. He has nobody on the depth chart to stop him from taking every shot necessary. His job here is simplified: score at will. Pass the ball only if they stop you, otherwise, attack. He is playing the Hibachi role in the offense that Wes designed for the Wiz' Big 3 back in that era. But here with an actual PG to set him up. With Brad and Porzingis gone, there's 40 points worth of shots that need to be bade up.

If Poole is scoring in volume, the media is going to notice. It makes for a good story. I fully expect if he is putting up numbers and highlights then the team gets talked about by Chuck and them. We get a few more nights of national games. Poole picks up All-star votes. Who else in the East has as compelling a story? Though this gets more play if we are winning, still, refs protect stars.

1-5 Shooters all around.With Jones in charge of getting him the ball, Poole need not force the issue. He too may benefit from space around him. Golden State has the 2 best shooters in the history of Ever. But, Poole generally played with only one on the floor at a time. Here the roster's secretly sneaky depth in shooting may allow the team to spread opponents out, or give him kick-out targets if teams load up to stop his penetration. Backcourt mate Jones hit 60 freaking percent from the right corner last year. Much maligned shotjacker Kuzma actually hit 40% from both corners. Muscala hit 40% from the top of the key, and 40% from right side 3pt line above the Free throw line. Back up gunner Landry Shamet hit 45% from that same spot, 55% from the left corner. Gallinari was last seen hitting 48% from the left corner, above 40% most other places.

Stop Poole and there will be options waiting to fill it in from outside. Or a lob-dunk for Gafford.

The Prove it crew.Gafford has suffered doubts playing behind Porzingis, or as part of a 3 headed monster crew, even losing minutes to Thomas Bryant or Montrezl Harrell. He last played really well with Westbrook setting him up and commanding doubleteams. Nobody is in front of him now. His back up is a true change of pace stretch shooter. Gafford sneakily plays well in Wes' screen game. He is too quick for most centers. He needs space to operate but with shooters all around he may find plenty of space in the middle. HIs game fuses well with Tyus Jones, who's 50% scoring with that mid-range floater looks indistinguishable from his lob to the dunker. Whichever one the defense commits to stop, the other option is open.

Spoiler:

Gallinari was heated that he was jettisoned from the Celtics after an injury year. A Larry Bird fan from childhood he took an injury before training camp last year and never got to see the floor for his dream team. He has been in DC all summer tooling his game and committing to rehab. Pics show him to be in some of the best shape of his career, where prior years it was suggested he had gotten a little doughy and a little slower. A savvy vet with a lot to prove.

In Euro ball, Deni Avdija has confidence and whatever is the Israeli equivalent of 'cojones'. In DC he shrinks from the spotlight. This offseason he committed to working on the one thing his game needs: a reliable shot. He worked all summer with the guy that Phil Jackson has said is one of the best shooting coaches in the game. If Deni can hit an outside shot, little else will take him off the floor. His defense is indispensable, his team game is solid. A contract year for him, does he have a role in the NBA? Up to him to prove it.

Number 10 pick, and a slow starter in college, Johnny Davis couldn't get off the bench for the GoGo. Okay he was a new father, okay his game is more scrappy than skywalking. But nobody has more determination than this kid. Will he improve? If hard work can make the difference, he will.

Continue down the list for the rehabbed Baldwin Jr. finally healing from a poorly fixed ankle injury. Jared Butler who slid due to a heart condition, but who showed more heart in college than anybody. Etc etc.

Kuzma earns the hype?

Spoiler:

Add Kyle Kuzma to that list maybe. Who has often tried too hard to prove he deserves it, though he never lacks for confidence. Still, he deferred to Bron. To Brad. To whomever. Kuz has caught a lot of flak his whole career for never quite measuring up to his own hype and flair. Now this team is 'his'. Contract paid, tenure with the team, in his probably prime years. Time to see if he can win now that he is not just gunning for cash (according to Dinwiddie). Maybe Kuz can now apply whatever leadership skills he picked up from LeBJ. Show what he learned in that bubble championship: commit to defense, rebound like mad, do the dirty work not just take the starring role, never be scared of the spotlight.

Never as good as he thinks he is, his biggest knock has been poor shot selection. He will shoot you out of a game and then back into one. Problem is the worse he shoots the more he shoots, trying to bust a slump. That reads as streaky with a ridiculously high variance between his best games and his worst. Could be, if Jones is feeding him, maybe that confidence can be fed as well. Maybe Jones guides all his games towards the best, or feeds someone else when he is off. By being spoon fed when he has mismatches that his size and agility allow him, Kuzma can drag that inefficiency out of the ditch. If he no longer feels he needs to . And never ever letting him shoot a 3 from anywhere but the corners.

Sneaky defense maybe. We don't have many two-way players. Most of our players are one-dimensional at best. But for all that we do have potential shooters at every position, we also have defensive subs up and down the roster.

Spoiler:

PG. We have seen our defense detonate on itself when Wright is out of the line-up. The reverse of that: his defense at both 1 and 2 are underrated. Jared Butler was known for his Defense in college, I haven't seen him since but I don't doubt he will give the effort.

2G. Johnny Davis may struggle to adjust on offense, but his defense was fairly solid for a rook. Good rebounding, good hustle, never gave up on a play. In the case of most young players that is reversed. The fact that he has a head start on that is a good sign.

Forward. Deni Avdija gets love from defensive metrics. He gets down on himself when refs blow the whistle, which attracts more whistles since they hate pouting. But if he scores a bit he will earn more respect at the opposite end of the court. Kuzma has shown solid rebounding numbers and is long and switchable if not intimidating on defense.

Gafford may foul a ton but he is willing to challenge every shot, every pump fake, etc.

Few 2-way players, but a canny coach will see options for defensive substitutions to stifle opponents hot scorers. Never know, maybe Deni improves on offense and we have at least one 2-way starter.

The future begins somewhere.Fans, scouts, the front office are all intrigued by the potential of this year's lotto pick. Unrattled, a physical phenom, smooth, and a defensive factor, Bilal Coulibaly needs seasoning and veterans to show him the ropes, but that kid has potential to be a force at both ends. The quicker he learns the higher his upside. So far it looks like he is a quick study, improving by long strides every quarter he plays.

Spoiler:

To all that potential we add a council of elders. Can Taj teach him how to set a screen or defend bigger than his remarkable size? Can Gallo show him how to affect the game as an outside-in 3-4? Can Jones set him up for success? Can Kispert exemplify how and when to cut to finish at a high percentage. Can he learn from Gafford how to roll out of the screen game? If he ticks off each of these in the positive he adds options to the coaching staff and makes it impossible for him to be ignored in the game plan. No pressure, solid mentors, good character, a coach known for player development. It is easy to see possibilities for this kid to give fans something to be excited about.

Lastly, the guys up top. There is a chance we go on win streaks. I also think we have a front office crew who is too savvy to get over excited by a few wins. Nobody is going to try to force the timeline. Even if we excite and overperform, we are still loading up on picks based on other teams' potential shortfalls and misfortunes. We no longer solely need to tank to add value. We just need to keep building, draft well, and take advantage of the opportunities provided to us.

Long term we are in good shape, so if we win in the short term we needn't have the typical Wizfan emotional dissonance of cheering for losses. We finally simply can enjoy the team. If we win, kickass. Show the haters. If we lose, alright: "with the 5th pick the Washington Wizards select: Izan Almansa..."

[wewillnevertank]

Read on Twitter

What do y'all make of this? Twitter/X is losing its mind lol

Personally, while I see the developmental benefit of Go Go reps, is it really too much to ask that a 7th overall pick spend his entire season with the full Wizards roster? I don't think this is a Johnny Davis situation where he looked so lost in Summer League, the G League was really the only viable path forward.

You'd love to see Bilal clean up that handle and get more consistency on the jumper, but our player development staff should be more than equipped to get him ready for full NBA action, no? And if we're really playing uptempo, as WUJ has suggested, that plays to Bilal's strengths.

[payitforward]

Great post, doc!

Always good to be excited for an upcoming season. & this year, there are so many ways good things can happen independent of our win/loss record it's easy to anticipate with pleasure pretty much any result.

Let's hope Kuz has the genuine breakout turnaround killer season I've been predicting over & over for him.
Let's hope Poole once again looks like the rising young talent we saw in '21-22.
Let's enjoy Bilal's initial NBA tour.
Let's hope young PBJ takes hold, young Ryan Rollins shows why GS wanted him, & Shamet rescues his career.
Let's see Butler establish himself at the level projected for him out of college.
Let's watch Johnny take a year 2 NBA jump similar to his year 2 college jump.
Let's witness Tyus take charge of the team.
Let's enjoy Gallo recovering for real while gaff/deni/kispert take the jumps they need.
Let's hope X Cooks demonstrates aa big chunk of his MVP mojo.
& let's continue to watch our new FO leaders make imaginative moves that transform this team's future!

Above all, let's have fun! We're in a new Wizards world -- short-term expectations don't really matter; having fun definitely does!

[doclinkin]

Read on Twitter

What do y'all make of this? Twitter/X is losing its mind lol

Personally, while I see the developmental benefit of Go Go reps, is it really too much to ask that a 7th overall pick spend his entire season with the full Wizards roster? I don't think this is a Johnny Davis situation where he looked so lost in Summer League, the G League was really the only viable path forward.

You'd love to see Bilal clean up that handle and get more consistency on the jumper, but our player development staff should be more than equipped to get him ready for full NBA action, no? And if we're really playing uptempo, as WUJ has suggested, that plays to Bilal's strengths.

I'm absolutely fine with it.

More than anything Bilal needs reps. He was playing in the French junior league last year before they bumped him up. Better believe he will face better competition in the G League than he did for that stretch. Even when he was bumped up to the bigs, the French Pro A league only plays 34 games in a season, which leaves a great deal more time for practice, drills, fundamentals. In the NBA, with 82 games and now an in-season tourney, squads don't have time for team drills and scrimmages.

The GoGo have a recent track record of developing wing players. Check Kris Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, Quenton Jackson this past year. Craig Sword just got picked up by Indiana. Jordan Schakel is in the Celt's training camp.

Consider that the GoGo and the Wiz practice in the same facility. Jay Huff and Johnny D at times last year scrimmaged with the Wiz and then played in games with the GoGo the next day. There's cross-pollination between teams and it sounds like this FO is streamlining that, emphasizing player development at all levels, hiring new staff for the GoGo.

I would much rather Bilal get play time at both levels than to sit on a bench for any period of time. If he was in college, or in Euro play he would be drilling all the time. In the NBA he would be traveling, sitting in a hotel room, working one on one with trainers, fine, but not banging and testing out his skills in live competition. There are always times when the players ahead of him on the depth chart will have to sit, load management rules don't affect this squad since we have no All-stars LOL. Bilal will get time in the Association. But any game where he is unlikely to play for the Wiz, I'd rather him be tuning up with the GoGo.

[gambitx777]

Just saw a pic of Deni the dude looks yolked up. His legs looks massive and he looks like he's about to try out for the WWE.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

[AFM]

Just saw a pic of Deni the dude looks yolked up. His legs looks massive and he looks like he's about to try out for the WWE.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

How you gonna write this and not post the pic

[gambitx777]

Read on Twitter

?t=8wCMjgxaCh1yjeFYzj7aYg&s=19

[doclinkin]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=MonumentalSportsNetwork

[doclinkin]

In context it sounds like Wes was saying all the young guys will have an opportunity to fight for minutes. I expect in training camp they want to get a good look at what to do with Baldwin, Butler, Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, even Cooks, Omoruyi and the exhibit 10 invitees.

Interesting that he's talking about Gallo even at Center. I know he likes a high post Big. If he sees Danilo in that role we now go 4 deep there. 5 if he's considering Kuzma as well.

[NatP4]

Baldwin isn’t a NBA player

[nate33]

Avdija would start on DENVER. I have little doubt about that.

I do. I don't think there's a snowball's chance in Hades that he starts over Gordon or MPJ. Gordon is a bigger and better defender, and MPJ provides the critical spacing they need to run the Murray/Jokic 2-man game. If Deni shared the court with Gordon, their whole offense would get clogged up.

(This idea of “starter material” is funny to me … The Sixers’ title team — the Sixers who went 65-17 — started Marc Iavaroni. The Showtime Lakers started Kurt Rambis.)

There are certainly some top teams over the years who have featured 2 or 3 megastars so good that the 4th or 5th starters didn't have to be very good. That's why I said that Kuzma, Jones or Poole might start on a good team who was particularly weak at their position.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

What do y'all make of this? Twitter/X is losing its mind lol

Personally, while I see the developmental benefit of Go Go reps, is it really too much to ask that a 7th overall pick spend his entire season with the full Wizards roster? I don't think this is a Johnny Davis situation where he looked so lost in Summer League, the G League was really the only viable path forward.

You'd love to see Bilal clean up that handle and get more consistency on the jumper, but our player development staff should be more than equipped to get him ready for full NBA action, no? And if we're really playing uptempo, as WUJ has suggested, that plays to Bilal's strengths.

I'm absolutely fine with it.

More than anything Bilal needs reps. He was playing in the French junior league last year before they bumped him up. Better believe he will face better competition in the G League than he did for that stretch. Even when he was bumped up to the bigs, the French Pro A league only plays 34 games in a season, which leaves a great deal more time for practice, drills, fundamentals. In the NBA, with 82 games and now an in-season tourney, squads don't have time for team drills and scrimmages.

The GoGo have a recent track record of developing wing players. Check Kris Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, Quenton Jackson this past year. Craig Sword just got picked up by Indiana. Jordan Schakel is in the Celt's training camp.

Consider that the GoGo and the Wiz practice in the same facility. Jay Huff and Johnny D at times last year scrimmaged with the Wiz and then played in games with the GoGo the next day. There's cross-pollination between teams and it sounds like this FO is streamlining that, emphasizing player development at all levels, hiring new staff for the GoGo.

I would much rather Bilal get play time at both levels than to sit on a bench for any period of time. If he was in college, or in Euro play he would be drilling all the time. In the NBA he would be traveling, sitting in a hotel room, working one on one with trainers, fine, but not banging and testing out his skills in live competition. There are always times when the players ahead of him on the depth chart will have to sit, load management rules don't affect this squad since we have no All-stars LOL. Bilal will get time in the Association. But any game where he is unlikely to play for the Wiz, I'd rather him be tuning up with the GoGo.

Yup. Playing a little G-League ball early in the season is just fine. It beats riding the pine, which is what he would do early in the season when everyone else is healthy.

Bilal is 4th on the forward depth chart just among our core players (Kuzma, Avdija, Kispert). And that doesn't even factor the minutes that Gallinari and Shamet might get at forward. The correct move is to start him off in the G-League. Sooner or later, some injuries will happen to open up minutes for Bilal. And hopefully, by mid-season, Gallo and/or Shamet will get traded to open up more minutes. If all else fails, they'll force-feed him minutes over our expiring-contract vets during the 2nd half of the season.

[wewillnevertank]

In context it sounds like Wes was saying all the young guys will have an opportunity to fight for minutes. I expect in training camp they want to get a good look at what to do with Baldwin, Butler, Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, even Cooks, Omoruyi and the exhibit 10 invitees.

Interesting that he's talking about Gallo even at Center. I know he likes a high post Big. If he sees Danilo in that role we now go 4 deep there. 5 if he's considering Kuzma as well.

My main concern with adding Danilo and Kuz to the center rotation is defensively, they're going to get beat the hell up, even in small-ball lineups. And our starting center has yet to prove he can consistently box out and stay out of foul trouble.

I hear what you guys are saying about Bilal re: G League and bringing him along slowly. From my perspective, there's a fine line between between bringing him along slowly and wasting his time. There's honestly zero precedent of a top 10 pick going to G League for any amount of time and living up to that billing. It's just not what competent orgs do. Wes suggesting that Bilal would go there feels like he's closer to Bruno Caboclo than circa-2013 Giannis, and that's concerning.

[nate33]

In context it sounds like Wes was saying all the young guys will have an opportunity to fight for minutes. I expect in training camp they want to get a good look at what to do with Baldwin, Butler, Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, even Cooks, Omoruyi and the exhibit 10 invitees.

Interesting that he's talking about Gallo even at Center. I know he likes a high post Big. If he sees Danilo in that role we now go 4 deep there. 5 if he's considering Kuzma as well.

My main concern with adding Danilo and Kuz to the center rotation is defensively, they're going to get beat the hell up, even in small-ball lineups. And our starting center has yet to prove he can consistently box out and stay out of foul trouble.

I hear what you guys are saying about Bilal re: G League and bringing him along slowly. From my perspective, there's a fine line between between bringing him along slowly and wasting his time. There's honestly zero precedent of a top 10 pick going to G League for any amount of time and living up to that billing. It's just not what competent orgs do. Wes suggesting that Bilal would go there feels like he's closer to Bruno Caboclo than circa-2013 Giannis, and that's concerning.

Yeah, I hear you.

I'd be much happier without most of these vets around and a clear commitment to developing the youngsters. If it was up to me, I'd have Kuzma, Jones and Poole as the primary vet mentors, plus maybe one of Muscala/Gibson. Everyone else would be a young prospect. I'd make sure Coulibaly got 1000 minutes.

[nate33]

In context it sounds like Wes was saying all the young guys will have an opportunity to fight for minutes. I expect in training camp they want to get a good look at what to do with Baldwin, Butler, Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, even Cooks, Omoruyi and the exhibit 10 invitees.

Interesting that he's talking about Gallo even at Center. I know he likes a high post Big. If he sees Danilo in that role we now go 4 deep there. 5 if he's considering Kuzma as well.

My main concern with adding Danilo and Kuz to the center rotation is defensively, they're going to get beat the hell up, even in small-ball lineups. And our starting center has yet to prove he can consistently box out and stay out of foul trouble.

Feature, not a bug. An ideal scenario is to look really good on offense, and do everything right on defense except for yielding too many offensive rebounds. It's a way to develop while also not winning.

[TGW]

I honestly think this team is dangerous in the sense that opposing teams are just going to assume a W on their schedule playing against the Wizards. They're are three legitimate scoring threats (Poole, Kuzma, Jones), an extremely dangeus shooter (Kispert), and decent surrounding players. Jones is a legitimately good point guard. Defense will be atrocious, but the offensive firepower this team has is good enough to steal wins.

[doclinkin]

In context it sounds like Wes was saying all the young guys will have an opportunity to fight for minutes. I expect in training camp they want to get a good look at what to do with Baldwin, Butler, Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, even Cooks, Omoruyi and the exhibit 10 invitees.

Interesting that he's talking about Gallo even at Center. I know he likes a high post Big. If he sees Danilo in that role we now go 4 deep there. 5 if he's considering Kuzma as well.

My main concern with adding Danilo and Kuz to the center rotation is defensively, they're going to get beat the hell up, even in small-ball lineups. And our starting center has yet to prove he can consistently box out and stay out of foul trouble.

Feature, not a bug. An ideal scenario is to look really good on offense, and do everything right on defense except for yielding too many offensive rebounds. It's a way to develop while also not winning.

This 1000%.

We don't have a dominant 2-way Big, and to be in contention in this league that is the thing you need. I get the sense this is a deliberate design flaw. With outside shooting bigs we will be able to run up the score and still lose. Interestingly it makes both Deni and Johnny D more playable despite their lack of a ranged jumper, which may not help us win but may make them more valuable looking trade prospects (if we don't re-up Deni at a discount). Long bounces lead to more rebound chances for 2nd line players.

It's also not a complete disaster to the point of being unplayable, or disheartening. Kuz rebounds well for his size and can blow-by bigger and slower defenders. Danilo has to be respected on the outside so can't be left alone. We will get beat up on the boards, but it may save wear and tear on Jordan Poole who has been remarkably durable considering he has to peel himself up off the floor 5 times a quarter. Outside shooting will be our wildcard this season. I have been ranting about it for a while but if all the players we added can simply maintain their averages, we will have gravity all around the arc, and can score in streaks.

We will also get scored on in streaks. And lose. But that is where the plan proves a win. Our future relies on our draft skill and extra picks. We can build with a hole in the middle until we land that guy. And any other All-star talents we pick up along the way.

My sights are set on Izan Almansa personally. I see him growing into an ideal fit as a 'hub' center. A 2-way player who can influence the game without requiring high usage. Precocious game for a young Big. Centers develop slowly but he has been MVP of every tourney he played in by showing a veteran game even in the Under17 competition. He plays as a more mobile Gasol brother. Just needs a bit of muscle.

[Frichuela]

My main concern with adding Danilo and Kuz to the center rotation is defensively, they're going to get beat the hell up, even in small-ball lineups. And our starting center has yet to prove he can consistently box out and stay out of foul trouble.

Feature, not a bug. An ideal scenario is to look really good on offense, and do everything right on defense except for yielding too many offensive rebounds. It's a way to develop while also not winning.

This 1000%.

We don't have a dominant 2-way Big, and to be in contention in this league that is the thing you need. I get the sense this is a deliberate design flaw. With outside shooting bigs we will be able to run up the score and still lose. Interestingly it makes both Deni and Johnny D more playable despite their lack of a ranged jumper, which may not help us win but may make them more valuable looking trade prospects (if we don't re-up Deni at a discount). Long bounces lead to more rebound chances for 2nd line players.

It's also not a complete disaster to the point of being unplayable, or disheartening. Kuz rebounds well for his size and can blow-by bigger and slower defenders. Danilo has to be respected on the outside so can't be left alone. We will get beat up on the boards, but it may save wear and tear on Jordan Poole who has been remarkably durable considering he has to peel himself up off the floor 5 times a quarter. Outside shooting will be our wildcard this season. I have been ranting about it for a while but if all the players we added can simply maintain their averages, we will have gravity all around the arc, and can score in streaks.

We will also get scored on in streaks. And lose. But that is where the plan proves a win. Our future relies on our draft skill and extra picks. We can build with a hole in the middle until we land that guy. And any other All-star talents we pick up along the way.

My sights are set on Izan Almansa personally. I see him growing into an ideal fit as a 'hub' center. A 2-way player who can influence the game without requiring high usage. Precocious game for a young Big. Centers develop slowly but he has been MVP of every tourney he played in by showing a veteran game even in the Under17 competition. He plays as a more mobile Gasol brother. Just needs a bit of muscle.

Great post Doc. Bravo!

And I fully agree on Almansa. He’s proven to be such a winning player in his young career, particularly internationally.

[doclinkin]

I hear what you guys are saying about Bilal re: G League and bringing him along slowly. From my perspective, there's a fine line between between bringing him along slowly and wasting his time. There's honestly zero precedent of a top 10 pick going to G League for any amount of time and living up to that billing. It's just not what competent orgs do. Wes suggesting that Bilal would go there feels like he's closer to Bruno Caboclo than circa-2013 Giannis, and that's concerning.

Whatever minutes we end up playing Bilal at the beginning of the year will not be what he sees by the end of the year. Whether because he is good enough to force the team to play him, or due to holes in the roster as they crop up. Nate cites injuries, sure, but I also think this front office won't be gunshy about trades. Clearing space in front of him or consolidating roster spots on a 2-f0r-1 deal or 1-for-none for picks and Trade Player Exceptions.

Bilal is on a rookie deal, locked in cheap for a few years. Deni is in a contract year. We have to see what Deni can show us to decide what to do with that contract. Put up or shut up. Re-up him cheap? Shop him to a team that sees value? Let's find out.

I can see a coach like Thibs appreciating his defensive game. (And you know, having lived there, I gotta say the NY media market would not hate having an Israeli national playing in either a Knicks or Nets Jersey. Though if he feels pressure in DC, he'd surely feel the weight there. Whereas Kuzma would love the attention win or lose.)

Not that i am shopping Deni myself (but Kuzma....) I'm just saying any player is available if the bids are high enough. If Deni starts looking good but Bilal is legit threatening his minutes, we might see some offers that would be tough to turn away. Likewise a rehabbed Gallinari. Or pick a guy ahead of him in the depth chart.

Still, look, the reason you rarely see top picks stick in the G League for long is because they are too good to stay there. No one will force Bilal to stick at the lower level if he is earning minutes. Wes is only setting up healthy competition when he says everyone will have an opportunity. If Bilal is as good as we all hope and expect then he will force the issue. That's a good thing. That's what happens on winning teams. This is not an 'orange slices for everybody' little league sort of deal. Just because you were drafted high does not mean you deserve a free pass. If he is good then he will play. If we legitimately have minutes battles between Deni, Kuzma, Kispert, Bilal, and Baldwin, then I see that as nothing but positive. That means a rookie and/or a cast-off 6'10" stretch big are showing enough success that they are pushing aside older more accomplished players. Nice. Maybe we will be good someday when they themselves have 4-7 years in the league.