If you took over as GM today, what would you do?

[Deeptu McPullup]

That the Blazers already have a top-12 protected 2014 pick out to Charlotte somewhat diminishes the likelihood of their also being able to give it to us.

[hands11]

More exit interviews.

Temple.
I really like Temple. Hope he makes the team. One the nice finds this year along with Webster.
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

Nice Pops vs Randy conversation. I commented on that before. I think Randy is that style of coach. Not saying that are the same level, but the same type. 7 Min Mark

Temple on Beal. He gives him some great props.

Price
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

9:30 interesting comments on Ves.

Keveeeeen
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

Say he needs to work on seeing the game, passing and rebounding.

[Wallbeliever]

Sign Webster 3 yr 12 million
Draft Muhammad

Wait out the rest till the trade deadline.

Wall/Price
Beal/Muhammed
Webster/Ariza
Nene/Booker
Okafor/Seraphin

Make any moves at the deadline with 2 big expiring contracts and hopefully a Healthy Nene , right now no need to get fancy unless an all star is available

[Knighthonor]

Sign Webster 3 yr 12 million
Draft Muhammad

Wait out the rest till the trade deadline.

Wall/Price
Beal/Muhammed
Webster/Ariza
Nene/Booker
Okafor/Seraphin

Make any moves at the deadline with 2 big expiring contracts and hopefully a Healthy Nene , right now no need to get fancy unless an all star is available

Web/Riza had career seasons. you really believe they will repeat? also keep in mind nene and oka are aging. Nene is injury prone. Need to move them.

Booker is a roleplayer on a team that needs that.
Need a backup to Beal. Price is good but not really my idea of a Beal backup.

[Wallbeliever]

Sign Webster 3 yr 12 million
Draft Muhammad

Wait out the rest till the trade deadline.

Wall/Price
Beal/Muhammed
Webster/Ariza
Nene/Booker
Okafor/Seraphin

Make any moves at the deadline with 2 big expiring contracts and hopefully a Healthy Nene , right now no need to get fancy unless an all star is available

Web/Riza had career seasons. you really believe they will repeat? also keep in mind nene and oka are aging. Nene is injury prone. Need to move them.

Booker is a roleplayer on a team that needs that.
Need a backup to Beal. Price is good but not really my idea of a Beal backup.

You are correct that team has flaws, but I wasn't trying to jump into championship contention next year, baby steps.

I like the combination of Webster/Ariza at SF, IMO we should be a playoff team with that lineup. making the playoffs next year while maintaining flexibility moving forward with expiring contracts to use as trade bait come the deadline or as expiring in the offseason works for me.

We agree that Nene, Okafor are aging but I wouldn't be in a rush to move either at this moment. Capitalize when the value is higher. Nene once he proves health and okafor to someone looking to cut salary and provide assets. If you can't get decent value I would strongly consider resigning Okafor for the right price after next year.

Booker is a role player and is our best PF off the bench, Ariza and Seraphin can also pick up a few minutes at PF.

Muhammad backs up Beal.

I like the attitude installed by this organization last year and believe we need to continue walking before we try to run.

[nate33]

Web/Riza had career seasons. you really believe they will repeat?

Yeah. Sure. Why not?

Both had career seasons because Wittman put them in a role where they could succeed, and John Wall's game perfectly suits them. They're also entering their prime basketball years. (Well, Ariza is in the middle of his prime and Webster is just entering his.)

I really think Webster will play well for us for many years to come. If we can lock him into a sub-MLE deal, we should make it happen.

The long term prospects for Ariza are problematic. I see two scenarios. The first is that this past season was a bit of a fluke and he regresses a bit next year. In that case, he is only a mediocre player with one or two more peak seasons left before he declines and we should probably refrain from resigning him. The second scenario is that he is in the perfect situation and will play just as good next year (or even better since he'll play alongside Wall even more). That'll result in him being worth a ton of money as a free agent next summer and us either overpaying him or letting him walk.

[penbeast0]

I'm very hesitant about committing to Webster. All the warning signs are there . . . career year coincides with contract year, a long history of being sidelined by injuries, decent numbers on a bad team desperate for offense . . . I don't want to see a long term commitment for anything resembling substantial money unless there is a decent buyout option or the equivalent.

Not a huge fan of Ariza either to tell the truth; maybe I've just seen so many bad signings of mediocre role players over the years I just don't trust the Wiz to make good decisions.

[Ruzious]

I'm very hesitant about committing to Webster. All the warning signs are there . . . career year coincides with contract year, a long history of being sidelined by injuries, decent numbers on a bad team desperate for offense . . . I don't want to see a long term commitment for anything resembling substantial money unless there is a decent buyout option or the equivalent.

Not a huge fan of Ariza either to tell the truth; maybe I've just seen so many bad signings of mediocre role players over the years I just don't trust the Wiz to make good decisions.

Webster's price definitely fell with the end o year injury. None of us - not even fishercob - know for sure the extent of his health situation.

[fishercob]

I know. I'm just not telling.

[hands11]

Web/Riza had career seasons. you really believe they will repeat?

Yeah. Sure. Why not?

Both had career seasons because Wittman put them in a role where they could succeed, and John Wall's game perfectly suits them. They're also entering their prime basketball years. (Well, Ariza is in the middle of his prime and Webster is just entering his.)

I really think Webster will play well for us for many years to come. If we can lock him into a sub-MLE deal, we should make it happen.

The long term prospects for Ariza are problematic. I see two scenarios. The first is that this past season was a bit of a fluke and he regresses a bit next year. In that case, he is only a mediocre player with one or two more peak seasons left before he declines and we should probably refrain from resigning him. The second scenario is that he is in the perfect situation and will play just as good next year (or even better since he'll play alongside Wall even more). That'll result in him being worth a ton of money as a free agent next summer and us either overpaying him or letting him walk.

Trevor A did not have a career season. Not sure where you two are getting that from. He did have his best season since 08/09 though.

[miller31time]

If we're under the assumption Wall is a budding superstar (and whether it's true or not - that's our collective opinion), then we also have to understand that, with superstardom, we get special benefits - one of the most helpful being that we can plug a plethora of dead-eye shooters in our system and, because of Wall's penetration ability, they will have career years.

I'd be nervous committing 5+mil per year to Martell Webster. Not because he didn't produce but because I think we could get similar production from upcoming free agent sharp shooters, and that he has an injury history. I'm not worried about his play decreasing, though. Wall will find him his looks and he'll knock them down at a good rate.

Teams like San Antonio have the strategy perfected -- have a system in place and plug applicable players in.

[nate33]

If we're under the assumption Wall is a budding superstar (and whether it's true or not - that's our collective opinion), then we also have to understand that, with superstardom, we get special benefits - one of the most helpful being that we can plug a plethora of dead-eye shooters in our system and, because of Wall's penetration ability, they will have career years.

I'd be nervous committing 5+mil per year to Martell Webster. Not because he didn't produce but because I think we could get similar production from upcoming free agent sharp shooters, and that he has an injury history. I'm not worried about his play decreasing, though. Wall will find him his looks and he'll knock them down at a good rate.

Teams like San Antonio have the strategy perfected -- have a system in place and plug applicable players in.

This is a good point and one to consider when resigning Webster. Certainly, we shouldn't pay Webster Nicholas Batum type money. However, I think it's important not to overstate the effectiveness of the San Antonio model. San Antonio did in fact pay $3.75M a year to resign Danny Green. It's not like they had total confidence that he could be replaced for the vet minimum. And San Antonio has an advantage because they can sell the fact that they're contenders. That advantage has got to be worth a least a half-million a year or so. They also have no state income taxes in Texas.

If we assume that Webster is roughly as good as Green, we're going to have to pay a little more since we're not contenders and won't get the contender's discount. If we pay a $.50M premium because we are not contenders, plus another $.25M because of our higher tax rate, that puts Webster's price tag in the $4.5M a year range. That's pretty close to the full MLE. It's close enough that I won't be upset if we end up paying him the entire MLE.

[fishercob]

If we're under the assumption Wall is a budding superstar (and whether it's true or not - that's our collective opinion), then we also have to understand that, with superstardom, we get special benefits - one of the most helpful being that we can plug a plethora of dead-eye shooters in our system and, because of Wall's penetration ability, they will have career years.

I'd be nervous committing 5+mil per year to Martell Webster. Not because he didn't produce but because I think we could get similar production from upcoming free agent sharp shooters, and that he has an injury history. I'm not worried about his play decreasing, though. Wall will find him his looks and he'll knock them down at a good rate.

Teams like San Antonio have the strategy perfected -- have a system in place and plug applicable players in.

This is a good point and one to consider when resigning Webster. Certainly, we shouldn't pay Webster Nicholas Batum type money. However, I think it's important not to overstate the effectiveness of the San Antonio model. San Antonio did in fact pay $3.75M a year to resign Danny Green. It's not like they had total confidence that he could be replaced for the vet minimum. And San Antonio has an advantage because they can sell the fact that they're contenders. That advantage has got to be worth a least a half-million a year or so. They also have no state income taxes in Texas.

If we assume that Webster is roughly as good as Green, we're going to have to pay a little more since we're not contenders and won't get the contender's discount. If we pay a $.50M premium because we are not contenders, plus another $.25M because of our higher tax rate, that puts Webster's price tag in the $4.5M a year range. That's pretty close to the full MLE. It's close enough that I won't be upset if we end up paying him the entire MLE.

The premium assumes that Webster places no marginal economic value on staying with this organization and not having to move again. Webster will take less to play here, the question is just how much less? If he has an offer that's $10K higher to play in PHX, for instance, he'll stay. If he can get an additional $1M for 4 years to play with Dallas, he'll probably go.

[fishercob]

I wonder in the case of the unthinkable -- if we won the lottery and Minnesota decided to trade Kevin Love -- if Ted would pay the lux tax for a year to acquire him.

We could give them McLemore, Vesely, Seraphin and 2 firsts and I think the numbers would work.

We'd likely have to pay the tex, but would be very, very good. Then Ariza and Okafor come off the books. and we can reload with more economical options.

a frontcourt troika of Love/Nene/Okafor would be beastly, as any two could play together and be a nightmare on the boards. Add Wall, Beal, Webster, Ariza and a couple vets minimum guys and that team could make the conference finals.

[chocodog]

That the Blazers already have a top-12 protected 2014 pick out to Charlotte somewhat diminishes the likelihood of their also being able to give it to us.

Ya, I don't think that the blazers' have a 2014 pick to offer, nor do I see Okafor being worth much. 31 year old making nearly 15m. He does come off the books but that doesn't give him much value to a team like the blazers looking to add the final piece at center plus it would eat up all their cap space to fill their bench. I would still be interested in adding him b/c most other options will come at a premium but I don't see the wizards getting much of any assets for him.

If that upsets them then they can hold on to him and see if any teams get desperate at the trade deadline, but this would probably involve the wizards having to take back salary to get back assets. Would this organization be willing to do that or would they rather take a blazers offer that isn't rich in assets but offers cap relief. Of course, the wiz can just hold on to him and let him expire after the year.

some combo of filler pieces (the real draw being the instant cap relief)...

freeland/claver/cash/2nd rounder/future first

or if you guys have an interest in hickson, a s&t could be worked out

[penbeast0]

Okafor and Ariza expire simultaneously which is a pretty decent chunk of cap space to play with. Don't think it's as valuable partial cap space earlier. Now, if you were willing to give serious assets for Nene who is the better player for a potential contender . . .

[hands11]

I really want to make a play for the 2014 draft. Here's the best suggestions I've seen so far.

Nene to Nets for Humphries & Nets 2014 1st rounder

Okafor to Blazers for Matthews, Freeland, Jeffries & 2014 1st rounder

Our 2013 1st rounder (8th overall) for a 2014 unprotected 1st rounder (depends on team... potential to swap players as well)

Any of these moves would help offset what was, to me, a misguided strategy to acquire veterans. With additional picks, decent position, and decent drafting (yeah, I know that's a lot to hope for), young players would be joining a fairly veteran Wall, an apparently wise-beyond-his-years Beal, maybe Webster, and some other experienced and reasonably priced role players. That seems enough veteran depth to grow with.

That was helped by bringing the vets they brought here.

I think they made the right move doing it. It was worth the risk. They needed to get things established and turned around. Its hard for young players to pull a franchise up on their own. Specially one that was a messed up as this one post Gilgate. Having Nene, Okafor, Trevor A and Webster here helped Wall and Beal a lot. Drafting a mature beyond his years talented Beal helped a ton as well. He is clearly a core long term piece.

They got a lot accomplished this year. They set the tone of the locker room. They cleaned up some more excesses projects to focus on the ones that really count. They established themselves as a never say die defensive team of starters that play both sides of the floor. They installed a team passing offense vs iso ala NY.

I think Wall and Beal are another year or two of seasoning away from being able to pull this train on their own. And thats why I never understood why people freaked so much. They are so young. In two years they will be 22 and 24. And that is in two years. And even then, they will need vets around them. Its just they can be younger vets.

Gotta keep the big picture in mind. Its about growing these two, finding the 3rd and filling out the support depth. Having some vets around helps in doing that. Specially if it helps them get playoff experience. That is what they need to grow even more. And the fact that they got vet on only two year deal that are 7M and 13M trade assets if needed is good. Specially when you got them by moving a single boat anchor contract that you got by moving an even bigger boat anchor contract.

On the flip side, they totally blow the 2011 draft. Huge black eye on that one.

This is what I posted many moons ago and we went back and forth over. It was not a dead end approach. Sure they could have gone a different direction and things could have worked out better. Or worse. Lots of speculation about what they could have done. Point is/was, this was not a dead end. And we see that in the fact that people are still posting via options to move forward.

Wall worked out.
Beal was the right pick, not MKG or others.
Webster worked out. So did Trevor A and Okafor.
And Nene has shown some signs. Now we need to answer that question after he finally rests this offseason.

And now they have raised the bar for Kevin S, Ves, Booker and Singleton. We have to see if they can jump over it. If not, moving on. At a min, Booker, when healthy, seems like a decent pick. Kevin was a good project even if we don't keep him. He is talented. Just not sure whats between his ears is the right fit. Just doesn't have enough edge/drive/focus... whatever it is. But he is young also. Its do or die time for him.

Lots on the horizon with Nene, Okafor, Trevor A and Webster. Lets hope that navigate it well.

Hell, it may still end up they resign both Trevor A and Okafor for cheaper and fill in younger future players behind them.

[hands11]

Question.

So our Mr Dray made some comment about not being worried about signing for much because he is still on the Wizards dime.

Well that is true for two more years. So what would it look like if someone offered him a 3 year deal. Could they give him the vet min for two years and then 6M the third year ? Would Dray be willing to sign only a two year deal if there was a three year deal on the table ?

Or would the salary need to be with in a curtain percentage of the previous year such that it would force years one and two to be higher if he wants something good in year three ?

If so, hopefully we get some relief from the 7.8 and 8.4 that he is owed. Even cutting that in half would be nice.

[Liverbird]

Wow Hands. I lurk here all the time but post infrequently, and despite what it may do to my non-existent reputation, I agree with pretty much everything you've said.

If we resign Martell (and I hope we do) I think we have enough veterans or perhaps trade the entire 2011 draft class for a skilled big to help Nene and draft a replacement this year. I like what we'll start next season with at SF and Ariza gives us flexibility. Martell can also play SG. CJM would also look good on this team.

[LyricalRico]

Bump for deneem.