Wizards sign Paul Pierce, 2 years @ MLE

[HMFFL]

Very good signing.
Depending on what Miami does, I believe Washington wins their division, so the future continues to be bright.

[dandridge 10]

The move fits, but I think it's important to point out that signing Pierce is a patch job with a 36 year old who could lose it over-night. And henceforth, anyone who calls he Wizards a young team should smack themselves. Instead of using the MLE to get a talented young player, they used it for the short-term goal of trying to stay about as good as last season. And what we're seeing in this thread is - this is what the fan base wants.

Yeah, no what this fanbase wants is to land the Slim Reaper. And a move like this just keeps our name in the conversation as a relevant team, while keeping a slot open for 2016's cap space. Which young FA does that?

That's the problem - they backed themselves into a situation where there wasn't a better option. I call it a problem, but again - most fans don't consider it a problem - they're happy - which is fine. As far as 2016, it's still not at all clear that they'll have max cap room. Hopefully, they can dump Webster at some point to at least make it close. Lebron left Miami to go home. That could help plant a seed in the head of the NBA's #2 player, but there's work to be done.

Ruz, you seem to think that the Wizards should have spent the mid level to get a talented young player? Which player would you have preferred that they spend the money on. I really don't see a plethora of talented young players available at this point for the MLE.

I agree that the Wizards backed themselves into this situation where there weren't better options. But, they can't revise the past. I think this move was the best they could make under the circumstances.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Ok someone mentioned the idea of Garnett...

Instead, what about Ray Allen? If he could be had on say a 2 yr deal at vet min?

He's a UFA... age 38 and still productive in role he has settled into coming off the bench.

Rejoins former teammate Pierce, plays with a couple good PGs in Wall and Miller, on what is now a high IQ veteran team that has legit potential to reach the finals, and mentors his new protege a class act in Bradley Beal.

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ray ... ummary/606

[Illmatic12]

A couple of thoughts:

I don't think Porter is ready to be a stopper yet (though I think he'll have an impact offensively this year).

Second time Ive seen you mention Ottos defense. Are you suggesting you think Ottos offense is ahead of his defense? The only thing I thought Otto did well was play defense. Small sample size but last season Otto allowed .69 ppp as an overall defender. A ridiculously low number. Maybe not a stopper yet but surly no slouch.

Have I mentioned his defense elsewhere?

I don't think Otto is innately a bad defender or anything. I just think that rookies (and Otto is effectively a rookie) tend to be pretty bad at D in general. He's certainly going to be a substantial defensive downgrade over Ariza, who was arguably a top 10 defender leaguewide.

Porter isn't a rookie. He's been around the team for a year now and knows the system, and for some players (generally the high IQ ones who become great defenders) that's all it takes.

I don't see any reason why he can't be a solid defensive player next year. If he's supposed to have a high defensive upside, I don't see why it'd take him five years to show it.

That said, he will probably still have nights where he gets lit up by the Durants, Melo's etc. But that doesn't mean he can't generally be a useful defensive player for us in most situations.

[_tr]

A couple of thoughts:
5. Why didn't Pierce go to the Clippers? Surely, they would have offered the MLE for 2 years as well. I guess Pierce really didn't want to play in the West, far from home and against stiffer competition. He's found a way to extend his career as a small ball PF. It's a lot easier to do that in the East than the West.

He wanted to go to the Clippers, but they used their MLE for Spencer Hawes - 4 years, 23 mln $ contract.

[Kanyewest]

Ok someone mentioned the idea of Garnett...

Instead, what about Ray Allen? If he could be had on say a 2 yr deal at vet min?

He's a UFA... age 38 and still productive in role he has settled into coming off the bench.

Rejoins former teammate Pierce, plays with a couple good PGs in Wall and Miller, on what is now a high IQ veteran team that has legit potential to reach the finals, and mentors his new protege a class act in Bradley Beal.

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ray ... ummary/606

Ray Allen has been linked to go wherever LeBron goes. I agree he would be a great mentor to Beal but Allen is more concerned about getting rings at this point of his career.

[cdouglas]

The reason why I've decided to chat on this board again is because of the Pierce signing. I've always liked his game. I joined this board in 2002 when it was interesting and fun to post. I'm always checking the board but shy away from posting because it's been so negative. I'm reading that the team aren't contenders and won't be contenders when the season starts. Why are u being so negative? This team was getting it done on their away games, the problem was the home games! The city can't bring that negative same negative energy and expect this management to bring a championship to this city! I'm for this team and believe in this team that the can take it a step higher and win the East. Negativity begets negative so whatever this team does the negative posters will always have something negative to say. You don't know how to speak life to a situation. The teams that wins championships have fans that brings life to their teams and the can depend on their fans to bring it. I felt pity fit the Wizards because the didn't have the support from their fans from the beginning. We can't wait until the team makes the playoffs to support them, we need to support them NOW during the offseason and during their times of struggle. We want Kevin Durante but do you honestly believe he will want to leave supportive fans in OKC to come to DC where the fans booed their team? REALLY??? IN your DREAMS!!! All who is on board in supporting this team 100 percent and with the faith that WE CAN WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! From here on is a new beginnings on how you feel about our management and most importantly OUR TEAM!!
TEAM DC ALL THE WAY!!!! YES WE CAN IN DC!!!!!

[LyricalRico]

I'm reading that the team aren't contenders and won't be contenders when the season starts. Why are u being so negative? This team was getting it done on their away games, the problem was the home games! The city can't bring that negative same negative energy and expect this management to bring a championship to this city! I'm for this team and believe in this team that the can take it a step higher and win the East.

Welcome back!

[Kanyewest]

People have very short memories of how Ariza clamped down Augustine and for the most part, George, in last year's playoffs. Pierce won't come close to being the versatile Pippen-like (yes, that's high praise but Ariza earned it in last year's playoffs) defender Ariza was.

But it's still a solid stop-gap move because of the terms and the development of Otto, in terms of playing time, pressure, tutelage, etc.

People seem to have short memories about Paul Pierce, some stating that Ariza is a better shooter. Yes Ariza did shoot better from 3 last year but Pierce overall is a better career shooter.

I would rather have Ariza all things being equal because of his age, defensive prowness, and new found ability to shoot 3s. Pierce is on a more favorable contract. Pierce was on par with Ariza defensively in his prime- problem now is that he's 36 going on 37.

Still, I imagine Wall setting up Pierce for wide open 3s. Plus Pierce can create for himself so we may see less mid range 2s from Wall and Beal.

[DCZards]

I approve! Perfect player for Otto's development. Will not get heavy minutes, leaving plenty of PT for Porter. And just an ideal mentor for Otto...hell the other youngs as well. PP has a lot he can teach.

Maybe the best part is the uncanny similarities between Pierce and Porter. Both are high IQ players who rely more on guile and smarts than athleticism. And both are long and good offensive facilitators.

Yes, Pierce could very well be an great mentor for Porter.

[pancakes3]

PP's 3p% is going to skyrocket playing next to Wall.

[cdouglas]

PP's 3p% is going to skyrocket playing next to Wall.

WOW, now this is makes this signing exciting!!

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

The reason why I've decided to chat on this board again is because of the Pierce signing. I've always liked his game. I joined this board in 2002 when it was interesting and fun to post. I'm always checking the board but shy away from posting because it's been so negative. I'm reading that the team aren't contenders and won't be contenders when the season starts. Why are u being so negative? This team was getting it done on their away games, the problem was the home games! The city can't bring that negative same negative energy and expect this management to bring a championship to this city! I'm for this team and believe in this team that the can take it a step higher and win the East. Negativity begets negative so whatever this team does the negative posters will always have something negative to say. You don't know how to speak life to a situation. The teams that wins championships have fans that brings life to their teams and the can depend on their fans to bring it. I felt pity fit the Wizards because the didn't have the support from their fans from the beginning. We can't wait until the team makes the playoffs to support them, we need to support them NOW during the offseason and during their times of struggle. We want Kevin Durante but do you honestly believe he will want to leave supportive fans in OKC to come to DC where the fans booed their team? REALLY??? IN your DREAMS!!! All who is on board in supporting this team 100 percent and with the faith that WE CAN WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! From here on is a new beginnings on how you feel about our management and most importantly OUR TEAM!!
TEAM DC ALL THE WAY!!!! YES WE CAN IN DC!!!!!

You are a breath of fresh air. At times I don't post for prolonged periods because of a dedicated group of people on this board that would literally find a way to bitch about a championship. No one is saying you can't be critical of management and players, and not that they haven't deserved criticism at times, but some of you can't say a damn thing positively about this team. Wall has a couple good games, they come back he should do it more consistently. EG drafts Beal, oh that was a no brainer. Wittman coaches a good game, oh we got lucky because the other team missed shots. Of course this is just a very rough composition of this group, but not far from the apple tree.

[hands11]

The reason why I've decided to chat on this board again is because of the Pierce signing. I've always liked his game. I joined this board in 2002 when it was interesting and fun to post. I'm always checking the board but shy away from posting because it's been so negative. I'm reading that the team aren't contenders and won't be contenders when the season starts. Why are u being so negative? This team was getting it done on their away games, the problem was the home games! The city can't bring that negative same negative energy and expect this management to bring a championship to this city! I'm for this team and believe in this team that the can take it a step higher and win the East. Negativity begets negative so whatever this team does the negative posters will always have something negative to say. You don't know how to speak life to a situation. The teams that wins championships have fans that brings life to their teams and the can depend on their fans to bring it. I felt pity fit the Wizards because the didn't have the support from their fans from the beginning. We can't wait until the team makes the playoffs to support them, we need to support them NOW during the offseason and during their times of struggle. We want Kevin Durante but do you honestly believe he will want to leave supportive fans in OKC to come to DC where the fans booed their team? REALLY??? IN your DREAMS!!! All who is on board in supporting this team 100 percent and with the faith that WE CAN WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! From here on is a new beginnings on how you feel about our management and most importantly OUR TEAM!!
TEAM DC ALL THE WAY!!!! YES WE CAN IN DC!!!!!

Well you should have chimed in before and helped those of us that were addressing this issue.

[cdouglas]

I'm reading that the team aren't contenders and won't be contenders when the season starts. Why are u being so negative? This team was getting it done on their away games, the problem was the home games! The city can't bring that negative same negative energy and expect this management to bring a championship to this city! I'm for this team and believe in this team that the can take it a step higher and win the East.

Welcome back!

Thanks!

[hands11]

I'll keep saying this, but Otto looked fantastic yesterday in the summer league game. He displayed that he can shoot the three and that his mid-range game is super efficient. I'm really excited to see what he can do tonight.

I'm pretty confident about Porter, but summer league performances are completely meaningless, IMO.

They are not completely meaningless.

But you do have to evaluate them in context. Position, their game, experience, etc.

The game Otto played will translate. Rip Hamilton and Trevor A love child.
So will his confidence and all the hard work he has put in last year. And what TA taught him.

He will have to adapt to find his place with in a team of established starters, but its a solid team that will welcome integrating him into the flow.

If Otto has a solid to great summer league, that will actually mean something.

[payitforward]

I'm delighted by this! It'll be a treat and an honor to see PP in our uniform. He exemplifies everything great about a professional athlete. (but props to Trevor, because he was incredible for us)

As to effect on next year's record, Pierce @2000-2100 minutes vs. Ariza at 2730 might mean a baby step backwards -- unless you think Porter can come in and right away play at the high level Ariza set last year which wd be great but seems a little doubtful.

Who cares. I'd rather have Pierce for 2 years than Ariza for 4. The contract timing is much better for us, and he is still quite good, can give us 25 minutes (meaning there's plenty of minutes for Otto), costs less, and... all in all it's terrific.

Great job by Ernie to make this move!

[hands11]

I can see Pierce 5 or 10 minutes at PF, but certainly not becoming the PF. Wittman will bring back Booker and Gooden to familiar roles.

Now if Nene is traded ...

Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Agreed. He is mostly going to play SF.

And Otto will start as soon as he is ready to.

It might even be that way to start the year.

The season is about both winning and getting ready for post season. If Otto can handle it, not reason not to start him to get him plenty of burn. That should set them up nicely for the post season.

[80sballboy]

BTW. Nene is not getting traded-yet. I know he has a bad contract, but take that away and he's a very important piece to this team. Unless we can find a young, promising big man, there's no reason why you trade your starting power forward who outplayed the Def. Player of the Year and your only true backup center (I know Gooden can play and Seraphin well not). The Wizards have two years of trying to get to the Finals in the wide open East. Maybe Pierce is the missing piece; maybe the loss of Ariza will be too much to overcome. But as a fan since the 70s, I like that we have a fighter's chance for once.

[JWizmentality]

Am I the only one who thinks PP is a significant upgrade over Ariza even at his advanced age? The only thing he had on PP was defense. He gets dumped on in every other category and brings so much more to the table. What a delight it's going to be to see someone who can create their own shot from the SF position. Not a black hole where the art of dribbling goes to die.