Official Wizards Draft Thread: Version 2.0

[LyricalRico]

MJ is rumored to be doing what he did in his first draft in DC - trade into the late first and pickup a 4-year big man (Roy Hibbert). I think it's legit since it fits what MJ and LB want. The question then becomes: What does this mean for them at #9?

I've read that Westbrook has received a promise in the Top 10. Could be the 'Cats. I also think that Gordon will slip past the Clippers and he seems like an MJ type of pick. I think the lottery could go very different than some expect.

[AAEXPRESS]

with all the stories about people being willing to wheel and deal, I mean we hear chicago rumours, Miami rumours, NY rumours, Seattle trying to attain Beasley rumours and teams that are drafting well ahead of where they need to be to get the player they need.

The wizards haven't had much history trying to move up, but theoretically, how far up can we move up considering our assets and what out there would be worth the moving up. Ofcourse I'm a fan of Beasley as far as team needs more so than anyone else, maybe even rose might be a better fit for us than Gil, but If seattle thinks it can offer wilcox plus change to get mark blounts bad contract plus Beasley, what can we offer Miami for Beasley. I truly believe seattle is trying to move up at whatever cost.

Kevin durant knows Beasley. I think the people in seattle know Beasley is just as good if not better than Durant, hence the rush to acquire him. Not alot of no 1 or 2 picks are traded away but if teams were ever considering making that move to give away that player think about the players that have changed franchises, the Tim duncans, lebrons, Dwights, even Kobe even though he was a seven pick (largely due to Kobes orchestration and insistence that he wants to play only for the lakers, something Oj mayo is seeming to say as well NY, LA or Miami)

This post is more so about would the wizards benefit from moving up? who would they give away for that to happen? what would they try to get in return and how would this player change things?

There's only 2 guys worth giving up a major asset for: Beasley and Rose.

Chicago and Miami would require a major proven star back in order to give up the #1 or #2.

I would trade Jamison for the chance to get Beasley, based on the premise that Beasley has got a GREAT shot at being a dominant PF in this league. If you don't believe that, then this makes no sense. But if you do, as much as you might like Jamison, you gotta trade him to get Beasley because:

Beasley's young and will play 15 years of real quality ball. AJ is 32 and maybe has 3-4 years left.

Maybe more importantly, there's just a few people on this board who still think we are a championship contender as currently constructed. Everyone else thinks we need to upgrade to really compete. If you got a chance at a stud PF who could be a star, you gotta roll the dice. Might mean we need to wait for Beasley yo fully blossom, but behind Gil an Caron, Beasley could be ready to rock and roll as early as his sophomore season. Look at what Dwayne Wade did for Miami.

But would Jamison be enough for a #1 or #2 from Chitown or Miami? I doubt it. And I can't imagine us sweetening the deal enough where we weren't giving away the farm.

I would not blink twice in giving up Jamison, Blatche, #18 (selecting for Miami), and 2009 1st.

PG - ARENAS, Daniels, #47 (Mike Taylor)
SG - STEVENSON, Young
SF - BUTLER, McGuire
PF - BEASLEY, Songaila, VV
C - HAYWOOD, Thomas, Pech

I would be all over that trade if I was the Wiz, but somehow I do not think it would be enough to make the Heat pull the trigger. The other drawback I think is that we do not have a GM willing to make a trade like that.

[LyricalRico]

The Jamison deal can't happen because of his impending FA status. And even if it could, we'd have to take back every single contract the Heat have to make the numbers work (Blount, Haslem, Banks, etc).

Sorry but I'm not doing that for a 6'8, 235 pound freshman who can't go 5 minutes without pulling a prank on somebody.

[doclinkin]

I keep reading various blogs; with posters saying we should take this guy or that guy. Mostly, they're talking about guys with great offensive numbers... or "tremendous athletic abilities" (runs like a deer, jumps out of the Gym)...

Let’s face it, the Wizards have lots of guys that can score the ball. The worst part of the Wizards game is on the Defensive end. Specifically, perimeter Defense. Where they were killed ALL LAST YEAR by teams shooting wide open 3-pointers, or allowing Guard penetration for easy layups, or kick-outs to open shooters…..

So, instead of looking at Offensive numbers...... I decided to look at which PG's might be best suited to the Wizards DEFENSIVE needs.

Obviously, if Russelll Westbrook were to fall to # 18, or if Mario Chalmers were to fall to #47 - I think the Wizards would jump at drafting them. Both are considered VERY GOOD defenders. (The Wizards may consider drafting Chalmers at #18, even though he's projected to be a high 2nd round pick. They may decide he's worth the risk at #18)...

But, assuming that they don't draft a PG at #18, then who would be available in the 2nd round at #47?

Goran Dragic (6'4"), an International player that got some good reviews out of the Reebok Eurocamp.
Lester Hudson (6'3") - more a "combo" guard.
Mike Taylor (6'2")
Jamont Gordon (6'3")

All those guys could become good NBA players.....but......... I was looking for someone that has an already existing NBA skill..... Nick Young, when he was drafted had an NBA ready skill - his ability to create his own shot. Some players were just born with a particular skill. Scoring. The ability to see the entire floor. Tremendous athletic ability. Great anticipation. Fabulous quickness or speed.

I really like Kyle Weaver. He is a real LOCK DOWN defender. He's been called the best defensive player in College Basketball. This kid was BORN to be a good defender. He’s tall (6′6″) and long - He can defend PG, SG, and SF; all with same results. Night in and night out, he defended the other teams best players (some of the best players in the Country)... and consistently shut them down.

He has PG skills: Great handle, good passer, can penetrate, high basketball IQ, can break the press, and a low turn over ratio - but because Washington State used a 3 Point Guard Offense, he didn’t get to put up PG numbers in College… but he has the skills. The main knock against him is that he does not have a consistent long range shot. (Dave Hoopla???)

What do you guys think of Kyle Weaver as the #47 pick for the Wiz? (if he's still available)...

Hey rook, welcome onBoards.

Kyle Weaver's one of my sleeper possibles for the defense and passing both. He's a plug-in perimeter defender and a facilitator His one weakness (shooting) is an area where we are strong, with the caveat that unless you can score you tend to see less time on court with this team.

(One of the board's many resident stat guru's Kevin Broome (TheSecretWeapon nee' WizardsKev, at the APBRMetrics site etc) ran a regression on playtime correlation and determined the only stat that seemingly had any particular relationship to PT was scoring. Not scoring efficiency or anything like that, simply: does the player put up numbers -- Jared Jeffires and Mike Ruffin notwithstanding).

That said, we have a shotdoctor who just may help out on that front considering the wonders he's done with Caron, DeShawn, and at the FT line: Haywood. I like Weaver. My particualr sleeper pick though is JR Giddens who puts up crazy defensive rebound numbers from the SF/SG position which is usally a good indicator of both NBA athleticism and defensive awareness -whether or not he needs to rebound at the next level. His Block + Steal/PF stat is solid as granite as are his asst ratios. Not the best slasher though (our offense likes players who can handle) but still if we could steal him at 47 I'd be ecstatic. Ehuberant. Giddy. Goofy.

Me I'm of the mind that we'd do well in this draft to trade down and pick up battletested upperclassmen with additional picks. We have a ton of developing talents, I'd like roleplayers who have at least one NBA quality skill and a longterm proven track record. Yeas if we could drop back in the first round to take Chalmers, then land an additional round 2 pick that would make me happy.

Guys I like in rd 2:
--Giddens: DeShawn junior. With a higher upside.
--Pat Calathes: 6'10" wing player with an NBA outside shot, underappreciated rebounder at the SF slot, excellent passer, good slashing game.
--Gary Forbes: Carried a ton of his team's offensive duties but managed to score at a good clip regardless. He's one fo the Ryan Gomes types who are overlooked by front offices dues to questions about whether their games translate, but who have succeeded in a strong conference despite being the only player on their team that opponents had to gameplan against. He'll find a way to help a team.
All potentially filling some time at the open back-up SF spot if Caron decides to break another bone, say.

Then there's potential undrafted pick-ups like
--Singletary in the Juan Dixon role of instant combo-guard offense with a savvy game. Ditto Chris Lofton with NBA quality scoring.

As for the rest:

Lester Hudson went back to school.

Hendrix probably played into round 1 in the workouts. DJ White, JJ Hickson, Jason Thompson and Joey Dorsey all intrigue as NBA roleplayers, though we struggle to find PT for our frontcourt guys as it is. So. That.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Are people really saying part of the reason for EG not drafting a player is because he's local? That just suprised me.

Ok, after seeing draftexpress's statistical analyisis of PF's I'm turning to the Richard Hendrix fan club. Is there anyway this guy doesn't contribute in the NBA? Reading that he's come off great in interviews, has good hands and long arms tilts the scale in his favor. I would be happy if he was drafted at 18.

I'd be ecstatic. For once the Wizards would be getting a guy who can help them in areas they're weak. Good defender, good rebounder, good scorer, coach's son, physically strong and with a mean streak. What's not to like about the guy?

That DX article points out what I discovered as well about two months ago--Hendrix has played exceptionally well against many so-called better prospects. Owned Jordan and Speights. Battled big Roy evenly.

I see no way that he'll be the pick but as far as I'm concerned he SHOULD be the pick. Him, Chalmers, and Hibbert all make sense to me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The obvious problem with drafting Hendrix or Dorsey is the Wizards have a ton of PFs.

Chalmers is a no-brainer pick due to their poor perimeter defense and the situation with Gil.

Hendrix is my favorite player in this draft just because I see him as easily the most underrated. I know it won't happen but I'd love to see the Wizards trade Pecherov and the #18 for Lowry, and then get a later first to select Hendrix.

In round two guys previously mentioned that I like are Dorsey, Calatehes, Weaver, and doc's guys; Giddens, and Forbes. All those guys can play. Another guy who's way underrated like Hendrix is Marty Leeunen (sp?).

First rounders that I don't like at all are Jordan, McGhee, Alexander, Greene,.

The only problem is foresee with drafting Big Roy is the Wizards have decent Cs already with Haywood and Blatche.

The guys who would really add something missing would be Chalmerss (defense), Hendrix (same, plus better offense than even Songaila), Leeunen(point forward skills), Calathes (same), and Hibbert (passing and scoring big).

Speights won't be a bad pick but they would really need to move Pecherov or Blatche.

I won't no parts of the lesser Lopez.

[dobrojim]

Wiz99, I think you're blowing Hibbert's slowness out of proportion. He's not Muresan getting up and down the floor by any stretch. If his man is a step or two faster than him in terms of simple sprint speed, there are ways to mitigate that problem (guards helping to prevent the long pass, etc,.)

The chicken-egg pace question is one worth exploring, though. Did Georgetown play slow because of Hibbert or vice-versa? Is there any on-off data about G'town's pace available?

Yes, Gilbert plays at one of the fastest paces in the league. We saw that right away when he returned this year. But Hibbert would likely be playing primarily with the second unit anyway. He'd fit in just fine with AD and Mason. And finally, I don't think one slow center ruins a running team. Look at Kareem and Parrish. Those guys didn't run very much, but their teams sure did.

Fish, we agree on a lot but my recollection of Parrish is a lot different than what I surmise
from the above. Parrish regular ran like all get out and got easy baskets quite often that way.

But I like Hibbert for all the reasons I already said. Sounds like we agree on that.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

CCJ.

You mentioned the problem with drafting Big Roy was that Blatche is a center... I think he was misused as a center this year which caused a lot of his problems (quick fouls especially).

I'd do a jig if the Wiz grabbed RH at #18... He actually reminds me a bit of Haywood in terms of athletic strengths and weaknesses when BTH was coming out. I remember very clearly an SI article on Haywood saying he would never be more than a 12-15 minute a game role player, if that. They were wrong... but, even if RH ended up being a 12-15 minute role player for us in his early years, that would be an exceptional grab at 18 for this team.

Roy seemed to be developing a bit of range on his J as the season went along... I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up able to shoot a high percentage from the top of the key... with his length, passing ability and the Wiz high-post offense... he'd be unstoppable from there.

And, just to keep up continuity with the homer in me, I'd love a chance to grab Singletary with our 2nd pick. The guy has a ridiculous upside.

[fishercob]

Wiz99, I think you're blowing Hibbert's slowness out of proportion. He's not Muresan getting up and down the floor by any stretch. If his man is a step or two faster than him in terms of simple sprint speed, there are ways to mitigate that problem (guards helping to prevent the long pass, etc,.)

The chicken-egg pace question is one worth exploring, though. Did Georgetown play slow because of Hibbert or vice-versa? Is there any on-off data about G'town's pace available?

Yes, Gilbert plays at one of the fastest paces in the league. We saw that right away when he returned this year. But Hibbert would likely be playing primarily with the second unit anyway. He'd fit in just fine with AD and Mason. And finally, I don't think one slow center ruins a running team. Look at Kareem and Parrish. Those guys didn't run very much, but their teams sure did.

Fish, we agree on a lot but my recollection of Parrish is a lot different than what I surmise
from the above. Parrish regular ran like all get out and got easy baskets quite often that way.

But I like Hibbert for all the reasons I already said. Sounds like we agree on that.

Jim, I'm guessing that your recollection is more accurate, since I'm a spring chicken-like 31 years old.

But yeah, we agree that Hibbert would do just fine here.

And as far as Blatche goes, everyone who was clamoring for Blatche and Haywood together should like the Hibbert pick, because it'll mean more time at forward for AB. With Hibb in the fold and Etan back, EJ would have litte need to use Dray at the 5. He'd be fighting Songaila for forward minutes, and if he gets his head on straight it's a fight he should win handily.

[fishercob]

Eat your heart out Woody Harrelson. Apparently Alexander cut his head on a rim during one of his workouts:

[spaceman_E]

I don't see why anyone would want Robin Lopez. He seems like a glorified Ruffin or at best an Etan clone with another inch on him.

As for who I like now, I'd be fine with Greene, Batum, and Mcgee as upside picks. Speights, hibbert, and chalmers as help now picks. I want no part of Ajinca, Jordan, Koufos, or Lopez(unless we have a deal for Etan lined up).

[Ruzious]

I'm leaning towards Speights as the guy I hope they pick. A few weeks ago, someone here gushed about him. Whoever it was, I'm a few weeks behind him. And I'm basing this - in large part - on a video of one of his pre-draft workouts - which lessens my credibility. But I saw small forward skills and athleticism there. I don't think he'll be the same type of low post player he was in college. He can eventually be a tweener forward - which fits the Wiz offense. Granted, the transformation will take a while, but I think eventually - he could play any of the front court positions, but he'll be able to contribute a little offensively and on the boards as a rookie. And he has near Amare type athleticism and build. He has a ridiculous upside, imo. Javalee McGee is another with crazy potential, but I see him as far less likely to reach his po - due to his attitude. Otoh, McGee has added some weight (He's around 240.) - which makes him a much improved prospect - and very hard to pass up. But my impressions is - coach killer re McGee.

[LyricalRico]

Rico's Mock Draft
Version 3.0

Round One

01 – Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
02 – Michael Beasley (Miami Heat)
03 – OJ Mayo (Minnesota Timberwolves)
04 – Brook Lopez (Seattle Supersonics)
05 – Kevin Love (Memphis Grizzlies)
06 – Jerryd Bayless (New York Knicks)
07 – DJ Augustin (Los Angeles Clippers)
08 – Anthony Randolph (Milwaukee Bucks)
09 – Russell Westbrook (Charlotte Bobcats)
10 – Danilo Gallinari (New Jersey Nets)
11 – Eric Gordon (Indiana Pacers)
12 – Darrell Arthur (Sacramento Kings)
13 – Joe Alexander (Portland Trailblazers)
14 – Robin Lopez (Golden State Warriors)
15 – Brandon Rush (Phoenix Suns)
16 – Alexis Ajinca (Philadelphia 76ers)
17 – Roy Hibbert (Toronto Raptors)
18 – Donte Greene (Washington Wizards)
19 – JaVale McGee (Cleveland Cavaliers)
20 – Mario Chalmers (Denver Nuggets)
21 – Kosta Koufos (New Jersey Nets)
22 – Courtney Lee (Orlando Magic)
23 – Nicolas Batum (Utah Jazz)
24 – JR Giddens (Seattle Supersonics)
25 – Chris Douglas-Roberts (Houston Rockets)
26 – Ryan Anderson (San Antonio Spurs)
27 – Marreese Speights (New Orleans Hornets)
28 – DeAndre Jordan (Memphis Grizzlies)
29 – Bill Walker (Detroit Pistons)
30 – Serge Ibaka (Boston Celtics)

[dobrojim]

^ that would suck almost as bad as when the Pacers took Reggie one pick before us.
I forget who we ended up with in that draft. Someone forget-able obviously. Tom Hammond?

IIRC, didn't MIA also take Caron 1 pick before we ended up with O-face?

[tkunit]

^ that would suck almost as bad as when the Pacers took Reggie one pick before us.
I forget who we ended up with in that draft. Someone forget-able obviously. Tom Hammond?

IIRC, didn't MIA also take Caron 1 pick before we ended up with O-face?

wasn't it one pick before Arvis

[LyricalRico]

Caron was 1 pick before Jeffries. Sweetney was one pick before Arvis (Stoudamire was 2 picks before).

Also wasn't Garnett only one or two picks before Juwan? Or was that Sheed?

[fishercob]

Chad Ford's latest mock shows a huge shakeup from what we've seen over the past few weeks. Upside guys like McGee, Jordan, Speights are dropping. Chalmers to the King at 12.

Westbrook, Gordon and Gallinari rising. Bayless and Love falling. I love this time of year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008 ... d=tab1pos1

[Ruzious]

Chad Ford's latest mock shows a huge shakeup from what we've seen over the past few weeks. Upside guys like McGee, Jordan, Speights are dropping. Chalmers to the King at 12.

Westbrook, Gordon and Gallinari rising. Bayless and Love falling. I love this time of year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008 ... d=tab1pos1

Chalmers at 12??? I thought I was his number 1 fan, and even I wouldn't pick him that high. It's interesting that we might have our choice of Speights, Jordan, and McGee, and they could be the most physically talented players in the draft - outside of Rose and Beasley. Bayless should fall a bit. He's good; but he's not great. But Love shouldn't fall.

[LyricalRico]

^ Yep, I was just about to post that. Ford's mock is drastically different from what everyone else has been saying. Chad is usually bogus when it comes to trade "rumors" (that he probably makes up along with his equally bogus colleague Sam Smith) but he's pretty decent on draft night from what I recall.

Man, this is gonna be an EXCITING draft!

[doclinkin]

^ Yep, I was just about to post that. Ford's mock is drastically different from what everyone else has been saying. Chad is usually bogus when it comes to trade "rumors" (that he probably makes up along with his equally bogus colleague Sam Smith) but he's pretty decent on draft night from what I recall.

Man, this is gonna be an EXCITING draft!

Actually teams seem to use Chad most often to disseminate disinformation. If Chad says it, I question it. Every now and again he gets something right just to keep people guessing, but I never trust rumors that seem to track back to him only.