Offseason Plan

[payitforward]

Brunson?

Assuming Beal @ $40m & that we pick up KCP's option & re-sign Gill for @$2m, we'll be at roughly $124m for 11 players. None of them is a point guard.

Jalen Brunson is a FA & will get a sizable contract, something around $18m. Surely, it would be wise to sign Sato, as many have suggested. Let's assume he'd get $4m.

That would leave us @$2.5m under the luxury tax for 13 players. Now... we do have Dallas' R2 pick, somewhere around #53, so there's a guy we can sign for $1m. Add a veteran minimum player & we slide under the luxury tax.

In which case, essentially, we have the same 35-45 team as this year. Plus Jalen Brunson. No thanks.

Hard to really know where to start to try to answer this post.

You note that the Wizards don't have a PG and are already close to the luxury tax. But you don't want to add a PG while still staying under the tax.

And you maintain that a Beal+KP team is the same as this year's.

Of course, if Beal doesn't re-sign everything is a different story. If you tell me that with no Beal you want to draft this year for development and tank hard in 2022-2023, then ... mkay .. that's a decent plan.

However, I'm working under the assumption that Beal will re-sign (and for the 35% max). In that circumstance, what are you going to do with the FRP that's going to help a Beal/KP centred team more than trading it for Brunson?

I missed this, sorry....

I like Jalen Brunson a lot! But, we went 35-47 this year, including 7-10 (I believe...?) w/ KP on the floor. If Beal re-signs (like you, I'm pretty sure he will), I can't see us being a whole lot better next year than this year. Adding Brunson would improve the roster, but I don't think he would make us significantly better. We don't become a contender. Maybe we have a .500 season.

From there, our future progress is significantly blocked, b/c we already have $100m tied up in salary for 3 players. I see no path to becoming a contender. The opposite; we've made that difficult for many years.

We need to rebuild.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Luka Doncic hurting might mean quick exit for the Mavs.

Brunson might be acquired more cheaply than worst-case after his potentially blowing up in payoffs. Right?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Assuming Beal @ $40m & that we pick up KCP's option & re-sign Gill for @$2m, we'll be at roughly $124m for 11 players. None of them is a point guard.

Jalen Brunson is a FA & will get a sizable contract, something around $18m. Surely, it would be wise to sign Sato, as many have suggested. Let's assume he'd get $4m.

That would leave us @$2.5m under the luxury tax for 13 players. Now... we do have Dallas' R2 pick, somewhere around #53, so there's a guy we can sign for $1m. Add a veteran minimum player & we slide under the luxury tax.

In which case, essentially, we have the same 35-45 team as this year. Plus Jalen Brunson. No thanks.

Hard to really know where to start to try to answer this post.

You note that the Wizards don't have a PG and are already close to the luxury tax. But you don't want to add a PG while still staying under the tax.

And you maintain that a Beal+KP team is the same as this year's.

Of course, if Beal doesn't re-sign everything is a different story. If you tell me that with no Beal you want to draft this year for development and tank hard in 2022-2023, then ... mkay .. that's a decent plan.

However, I'm working under the assumption that Beal will re-sign (and for the 35% max). In that circumstance, what are you going to do with the FRP that's going to help a Beal/KP centred team more than trading it for Brunson?

I missed this, sorry....

I like Jalen Brunson a lot! But, we went 35-47 this year, including 7-10 (I believe...?) w/ KP on the floor. If Beal re-signs (like you, I'm pretty sure he will), I can't see us being a whole lot better next year than this year. Adding Brunson would improve the roster, but I don't think he would make us significantly better. We don't become a contender. Maybe we have a .500 season.

From there, our future progress is significantly blocked, b/c we already have $100m tied up in salary for 3 players. I see no path to becoming a contender. The opposite; we've made that difficult for many years.

We need to rebuild.

Vernon Carey was called Vernon Carey jr. For a reason so I'm going to say he's going to surprise like Kelly oubre did players that have strong dads tend to do well and since this is one long giant run-on sentence Ron Harper Jr and Scottie Pippen jr. Will both be in the NBA next season

Vernon Carey’s father was an offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Banging in the paint is in his DNA.

Love this! I like Carey just for Duke lineage and his frame, that of un undersized PF or C.

He's as good or better than Corey, Rui, or Deni IMO.

SPEAKING OF AS GOOD AS...

Read on Twitter

?t=M2TblJYqsu8HYbGCM69v2g&s=19

[payitforward]

Luxury tax is estimated at $148,254,400 by spotrac and the salary cap at $122,000,000.

Beal	42,350,000
Porzingis	33,833,400
KCP	14,004,703
Kuzma	13,000,000
Rui	6,263,188
Avdija	4,916,160
Ish	4,725,000
Kispert	3,552,840
Gafford	1,930,681
Carey	1,782,621
Todd	1,563,518
-------	-------------
Sato	4,000,000
Gill	2,000,000
Brunson	18,000,000
-------	-------------
Total	142,280,951
-------	-------------
Tax line - Total	5,973,449

Assuming you trade for Brunson this season one of those Todd/Cary salaries is traded in the deal. So in reality you are around $7.5m-$7.7m below the tax line with 12 players on the roster.

So, you'd add 3 vet minimum players to get to 15. You stay under the tax line.

The main questions, for me, are what might that team be able to accomplish in the '22-23 season? Would it contend in the East? & what is the direction in which it would be heading? Would it be moving us towards contending in the East?

I could be wrong, obviously. But I don't like the answers to those questions as I see them. Which amounts to saying that I don't think this would help us build a contender.

I certainly can't see us being much better next year just b/c we've added Brunson (who is a very good player, of course). Then, the following year Gafford earns an extra $10m. &, if Rui has blown up as a player? Surely we'd want to keep him, right? Ok, add another $8-10m. How about Deni the following year?

I don't see a way to build a winner here. Thus, even though Brad's going to re-sign & is a good player, it seems obvious to me that it's time to rebuild -- time to create the next generation of the Wizards.

To support my point, it seems to me that all I have to do is reference the fact that every year for the last several we've had this same discussion. Because, every year we have the same failure.

You don't have to agree with me, obviously! But, I don't think our problem is that "we need a point guard," whereupon the way to solve the problem is "let's go sign a point guard."

I think our problem is our unwillingness to recognize failure & start to rebuild.

[doclinkin]

Okay so for the rebuilding crowd, what then would be the 'tear it down to the studs' plan for building a Wizards championship.

Are there any players on the team worth investing in long term, signing extension on early, or should it be a fire sale where we swap out any and all players on the roster for picks.

Seems to me Tommy has been rebuilding on the fly. Except for Brad there has been an entire roster changeover since he has been the decision-maker. But if Brad leaving were an option (for any return in a sign and trade). Considering our assets what would you do:

Mid-to-long term assets:
Gafford is signed 4 more years.
Deni and Corey have a few more years on their rookie contracts.
Porzingis will likely pick up his player option after next year.
Rui expires after next year unless we pick up his option.
Lottery pick this year.
Dallas rd 2 pick.
Boston rd 2 pick 2023, no FRP.
Own 1sts in 24/25, no 2nd round picks.
Own picks thereafter.

Short term.
Kuzma will probably score a deal better than his $13m player option after this next season.
KCP and Ish Smith are expiring contracts next year. And Vernon Carey.

Expiring
Sato
Neto
Bryant
Gill


Of the above who would you keep.
On what terms. (What's the most you would pay, or what is the least you'd ask in return for pick/player),
Who would you build around, are there any players you would protect and not offer to the market. (Godfather offers excepted).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Okay so for the rebuilding crowd, what then would be the 'tear it down to the studs' plan for building a Wizards championship.

Are there any players on the team worth investing in long term, signing extension on early, or should it be a fire sale where we swap out any and all players on the roster for picks.

Seems to me Tommy has been rebuilding on the fly. Except for Brad there has been an entire roster changeover since he has been the decision-maker. But if Brad leaving were an option (for any return in a sign and trade). Considering our assets what would you do:

Mid-to-long term assets:
Gafford is signed 4 more years.
Deni and Corey have a few more years on their rookie contracts.
Porzingis will likely pick up his player option after next year.
Rui expires after next year unless we pick up his option.
Lottery pick this year.
Dallas rd 2 pick.
Boston rd 2 pick 2023, no FRP.
Own 1sts in 24/25, no 2nd round picks.
Own picks thereafter.

Short term.
Kuzma will probably score a deal better than his $13m player option after this next season.
KCP and Ish Smith are expiring contracts next year. And Vernon Carey.

Expiring
Sato
Neto
Bryant
Gill


Of the above who would you keep.
On what terms. (What's the most you would pay, or what is the least you'd ask in return for pick/player),
Who would you build around, are there any players you would protect and not offer to the market. (Godfather offers excepted).

Studs CCJ at your service...

Keep Sato, Gill, Kuz. On rookie deals keep Corey and Deni and VCJ. Heck, keep Ish Smith. Porzingis and Gafford intrigue me.

--Move KCP and Rui. S&T supermax Brad.

Satoransky, Kispert, Advidja, Kuzma, Porzingis (5) plus Smith Gill, Gafford (3)

With those eight, add best players available BPAs

Walker Kessler, Trevion Williams, Isaiah Mosely, plus random big international or G League PG/SG. ADD FOUR ROOKIES, w at least 2 non guaranteed. Only Walker K in round 1

MY MASTER STROKE WOULD BE TO ACQUIRE SGA OR VICTOR OLADIPO OR MARKELLE FULTZ.

Might bring in Westbrook for Beal if other ideas align

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Mighty white 8


Actually 7 w token black Ish

Seven blackish

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Those four players that I would get outside of round one or actually Walker Kessler + 3 they would be better than the team we have

[FAH1223]

Luxury tax is estimated at $148,254,400 by spotrac and the salary cap at $122,000,000.

Beal	42,350,000
Porzingis	33,833,400
KCP	14,004,703
Kuzma	13,000,000
Rui	6,263,188
Avdija	4,916,160
Ish	4,725,000
Kispert	3,552,840
Gafford	1,930,681
Carey	1,782,621
Todd	1,563,518
-------	-------------
Sato	4,000,000
Gill	2,000,000
Brunson	18,000,000
-------	-------------
Total	142,280,951
-------	-------------
Tax line - Total	5,973,449

Assuming you trade for Brunson this season one of those Todd/Cary salaries is traded in the deal. So in reality you are around $7.5m-$7.7m below the tax line with 12 players on the roster.

So, you'd add 3 vet minimum players to get to 15. You stay under the tax line.

The main questions, for me, are what might that team be able to accomplish in the '22-23 season? Would it contend in the East? & what is the direction in which it would be heading? Would it be moving us towards contending in the East?

I could be wrong, obviously. But I don't like the answers to those questions as I see them. Which amounts to saying that I don't think this would help us build a contender.

I certainly can't see us being much better next year just b/c we've added Brunson (who is a very good player, of course). Then, the following year Gafford earns an extra $10m. &, if Rui has blown up as a player? Surely we'd want to keep him, right? Ok, add another $8-10m. How about Deni the following year?

I don't see a way to build a winner here. Thus, even though Brad's going to re-sign & is a good player, it seems obvious to me that it's time to rebuild -- time to create the next generation of the Wizards.

To support my point, it seems to me that all I have to do is reference the fact that every year for the last several we've had this same discussion. Because, every year we have the same failure.

You don't have to agree with me, obviously! But, I don't think our problem is that "we need a point guard," whereupon the way to solve the problem is "let's go sign a point guard."

I think our problem is our unwillingness to recognize failure & start to rebuild.

End of season press conference by Tommy Sheppard and Wes Unseld Jr.

Watch on YouTube

No rebuild coming!

We're going to sign Tyus Jones or trade for Monte Morris.

Keep Sato and Gill.

Draft one of those wings at the 10th pick.

Sign a third big.

And that's the offseason.

[trast66]

Okay so for the rebuilding crowd, what then would be the 'tear it down to the studs' plan for building a Wizards championship.

Are there any players on the team worth investing in long term, signing extension on early, or should it be a fire sale where we swap out any and all players on the roster for picks.

Seems to me Tommy has been rebuilding on the fly. Except for Brad there has been an entire roster changeover since he has been the decision-maker. But if Brad leaving were an option (for any return in a sign and trade). Considering our assets what would you do:

Mid-to-long term assets:
Gafford is signed 4 more years.
Deni and Corey have a few more years on their rookie contracts.
Porzingis will likely pick up his player option after next year.
Rui expires after next year unless we pick up his option.
Lottery pick this year.
Dallas rd 2 pick.
Boston rd 2 pick 2023, no FRP.
Own 1sts in 24/25, no 2nd round picks.
Own picks thereafter.

Short term.
Kuzma will probably score a deal better than his $13m player option after this next season.
KCP and Ish Smith are expiring contracts next year. And Vernon Carey.

Expiring
Sato
Neto
Bryant
Gill


Of the above who would you keep.
On what terms. (What's the most you would pay, or what is the least you'd ask in return for pick/player),
Who would you build around, are there any players you would protect and not offer to the market. (Godfather offers excepted).

So that is depressing. We have no assets except our 1sts and a GM who has whiffed on the last 3 years 1st round picks.

[WallToWall]

We have plenty of asset. Every one of our players can be traded. We are not so good that we must keep a certain player. We are not so good that we are one player away (a PG for example) from being title contenders. Our off season plan should be to trade our older (everyone over 26 yo) players for picks and younger players who have potential.

[dckingsfan]

We have plenty of asset. Every one of our players can be traded. We are not so good that we must keep a certain player. We are not so good that we are one player away (a PG for example) from being title contenders. Our off season plan should be to trade our older (everyone over 26 yo) players for picks and younger players who have potential.

This.

Next year's ages:

Code: Select all

Player      Age
KCP         30
Beal        29
Porziņģis   27
Kuzma       27
Hachimura   25
Kispert     24
Gafford     24
Avdija      22

I would say trade KCP for what you can get. Don't resign Beal unless for something reasonable (no max) and a S&T would be great if you can get assets. Let Porzingis and Kuzma show they are the real deal and trade them next season for assets.

Let the rebuild commence

[Frichuela]

Luxury tax is estimated at $148,254,400 by spotrac and the salary cap at $122,000,000.

Beal	42,350,000
Porzingis	33,833,400
KCP	14,004,703
Kuzma	13,000,000
Rui	6,263,188
Avdija	4,916,160
Ish	4,725,000
Kispert	3,552,840
Gafford	1,930,681
Carey	1,782,621
Todd	1,563,518
-------	-------------
Sato	4,000,000
Gill	2,000,000
Brunson	18,000,000
-------	-------------
Total	142,280,951
-------	-------------
Tax line - Total	5,973,449

Assuming you trade for Brunson this season one of those Todd/Cary salaries is traded in the deal. So in reality you are around $7.5m-$7.7m below the tax line with 12 players on the roster.

So, you'd add 3 vet minimum players to get to 15. You stay under the tax line.

The main questions, for me, are what might that team be able to accomplish in the '22-23 season? Would it contend in the East? & what is the direction in which it would be heading? Would it be moving us towards contending in the East?

I could be wrong, obviously. But I don't like the answers to those questions as I see them. Which amounts to saying that I don't think this would help us build a contender.

I certainly can't see us being much better next year just b/c we've added Brunson (who is a very good player, of course). Then, the following year Gafford earns an extra $10m. &, if Rui has blown up as a player? Surely we'd want to keep him, right? Ok, add another $8-10m. How about Deni the following year?

I don't see a way to build a winner here. Thus, even though Brad's going to re-sign & is a good player, it seems obvious to me that it's time to rebuild -- time to create the next generation of the Wizards.

To support my point, it seems to me that all I have to do is reference the fact that every year for the last several we've had this same discussion. Because, every year we have the same failure.

You don't have to agree with me, obviously! But, I don't think our problem is that "we need a point guard," whereupon the way to solve the problem is "let's go sign a point guard."

I think our problem is our unwillingness to recognize failure & start to rebuild.

End of season press conference by Tommy Sheppard and Wes Unseld Jr.

Watch on YouTube

No rebuild coming!

We're going to sign Tyus Jones or trade for Monte Morris.

Keep Sato and Gill.

Draft one of those wings at the 10th pick.

Sign a third big.

And that's the offseason.

Indeed. Tommy is such a PR guy...

Biggest takeaway: Brad is going nowhere. Certainly, Tommy won't sign and trade him. Given the cards he's been given (by Terd) my perception of Tommy will improve if he resigns Brad for something more reasonable than the SM such as $200mn/5-years, which will save the team almost $50 mn in that period..

Another takeaway: Given the lack of PGs in free agency, it won't surprise me if Tommy tries to sign and trade for Donte Divincenzo in the offseason. I heard in the past that Donte was coveted by the Wiz and he is not happy in Sacramento. While not being a PG, Donte fits the mold of a defensive combo guard with size (6'4" in socks) that would compliment Beal. Question is who would Tommy trade for him? Either Kuzma or KCP are my bets and Donte (who is an RFA) is offered something like $36mn/3-years. And of course, he'll also try to resign Sato on the cheap.

[closg00]

Trading for Donte Divincenzo?!!? I'm not seeing any green font, OTOH, I could totally see Tommy doing it, we don't have the Italian flag yet

[dckingsfan]

Trading for Donte Divincenzo?!!? I'm not seeing any green font, OTOH, I could totally see Tommy doing it, we don't have the Italian flag yet

Yeah, he is a restricted FA and I don't think Sac has plans to resign him. I guess they do a S&T if they thought it in their best interests.

I would totally be up for a Todd & Carey for Donte trade. I am sure that Sac would want to do that trade.

[payitforward]

...No rebuild coming!

You might be right. Or... you might be altogether wrong!

Tommy has definitely shown the ability to surprise us -- to come up with acquisitions, moves, etc. that could never have beeb predicted.

...We're going to sign Tyus Jones or trade for Monte Morris....

As to Monte Morris, I'm sure you remember that I was the one -- over & over -- who called for us to find a way to get him in the 2017 draft. I thought he was pretty much a lock to be a very good NBA player.

I'm sure you also remember where Morris was picked, right? At #51 -- waaaaay down where people are certain that there aren't any good players.

& I'm also sure you remember that draft clearly & are aware that we had a pick in that range, & what number it was? It was #52, just one slot too low to grab Monte Morris -- not that Ernie would have had the good sense to do so.

Do you also remember what we did w/ that #52 pick we had? I do. We traded it to NO for Tim Frazier -- a back up point guard!

...Keep Sato and Gill....

Absolutely -- crazy not to.

...Draft one of those wings at the 10th pick....

Are you saying you don't think he'll just take the BPA? Or that you're pretty sure the BPA will be "one of those wings?"

Wouldn't you take Tari Eason over at least some of "those wings?"

You ignore the fact that we will have a pick in the 50s. To be expected, I guess. After all, it's not like there any good players down in that region, right? Certainly no one as good as Monte Morris!

...Sign a third big....

Obviously, you don't think it'll be Thomas Bryant, or you'd have mentioned him along w/ Sato & Gill. Am I right?

I'll be surprised if Bryant isn't back.

...And that's the offseason.

Would you applaud that off season?

I'm guessing Tommy will do something significant by way of a trade -- tho, to tell the truth, I don't have any sense of what it will be or could be!

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

Luxury tax is estimated at $148,254,400 by spotrac and the salary cap at $122,000,000.

Beal	42,350,000
Porzingis	33,833,400
KCP	14,004,703
Kuzma	13,000,000
Rui	6,263,188
Avdija	4,916,160
Ish	4,725,000
Kispert	3,552,840
Gafford	1,930,681
Carey	1,782,621
Todd	1,563,518
-------	-------------
Sato	4,000,000
Gill	2,000,000
Brunson	18,000,000
-------	-------------
Total	142,280,951
-------	-------------
Tax line - Total	5,973,449

Assuming you trade for Brunson this season one of those Todd/Cary salaries is traded in the deal. So in reality you are around $7.5m-$7.7m below the tax line with 12 players on the roster.

So, you'd add 3 vet minimum players to get to 15. You stay under the tax line.

The main questions, for me, are what might that team be able to accomplish in the '22-23 season? Would it contend in the East? & what is the direction in which it would be heading? Would it be moving us towards contending in the East?

I could be wrong, obviously. But I don't like the answers to those questions as I see them. Which amounts to saying that I don't think this would help us build a contender.

I certainly can't see us being much better next year just b/c we've added Brunson (who is a very good player, of course). Then, the following year Gafford earns an extra $10m. &, if Rui has blown up as a player? Surely we'd want to keep him, right? Ok, add another $8-10m. How about Deni the following year?

I don't see a way to build a winner here. Thus, even though Brad's going to re-sign & is a good player, it seems obvious to me that it's time to rebuild -- time to create the next generation of the Wizards.

To support my point, it seems to me that all I have to do is reference the fact that every year for the last several we've had this same discussion. Because, every year we have the same failure.

You don't have to agree with me, obviously! But, I don't think our problem is that "we need a point guard," whereupon the way to solve the problem is "let's go sign a point guard."

I think our problem is our unwillingness to recognize failure & start to rebuild.

I actually agree with a fair amount of this. Just bumping the post for now to remind me to come back and give a more cogent response.

[payitforward]

You've been pretty cogent so far -- it's been great to have you so active on the board. Thanks for jumping in w/ both feet!

[I_Like_Dirt]

Okay so for the rebuilding crowd, what then would be the 'tear it down to the studs' plan for building a Wizards championship.

Are there any players on the team worth investing in long term, signing extension on early, or should it be a fire sale where we swap out any and all players on the roster for picks.

Seems to me Tommy has been rebuilding on the fly. Except for Brad there has been an entire roster changeover since he has been the decision-maker. But if Brad leaving were an option (for any return in a sign and trade). Considering our assets what would you do:

Mid-to-long term assets:
Gafford is signed 4 more years.
Deni and Corey have a few more years on their rookie contracts.
Porzingis will likely pick up his player option after next year.
Rui expires after next year unless we pick up his option.
Lottery pick this year.
Dallas rd 2 pick.
Boston rd 2 pick 2023, no FRP.
Own 1sts in 24/25, no 2nd round picks.
Own picks thereafter.

Short term.
Kuzma will probably score a deal better than his $13m player option after this next season.
KCP and Ish Smith are expiring contracts next year. And Vernon Carey.

Expiring
Sato
Neto
Bryant
Gill


Of the above who would you keep.
On what terms. (What's the most you would pay, or what is the least you'd ask in return for pick/player),
Who would you build around, are there any players you would protect and not offer to the market. (Godfather offers excepted).

I think it takes a bit of a cultural reset and a rethink of how to build a winner. It took 43 wins just for a play-in game in the east. The Wiz have only won 43 games or more 7 times since 1980 and never more than 49 games.

I think there will have to be a lot of opportunism in how the team goes about it so it's tough to plan in that sense but it's going to take a fair bit of restructuring across the board. No player should be safe.

Honestly, the biggest concern I have here is Porzingis. Pay Beal and that's fine so long as the team can keep him healthy. The NBA is moving towards unselfish 2-way switchable teams that share the ball and Porzingis is basically the antithesis of that. I suspect that more than anything was the biggest reason the Wizards got him so cheaply. I don't actually think the offers will get better for him over time. I might actually consider waiving him and eating his salary while the team tanks, or just sitting him at any available opportunity. He's good enough that he's going to be the focal point over other guys on the roster (Beal aside) but not good enough to build a winner that way, and not conducive to building a more flexible team.

Porzingis aside, I kinda think it makes sense to either let Beal walk while looking for sign and trades with 2 year or less contracts and picks. I'd offer him up for Simmons to the Nets and see if they bite, I suppose, and there may be a few other permutations I'd be okay with but I wouldn't rush to make a trade just for the sake of it. I get the idea of wasting an asset but that "asset" was effectively already wasted when the Wizards failed to build a winner the past several seasons. I'm not above the Wizards keeping Beal either. I don't think his trade value would be particularly amazing at that point but he's no Porzingis. The only thing he does is make it harder to get a truly high draft pick while not raising the ceiling to a team that might actually make some noise.

For the time being, I'd start with the concept of Deni, Rui, Kispert and Kuzma. None of them untouchable or anything. Just a concept for the kind of team the Wizards aim to build. Gafford is fine as a situational C and I wouldn't be in a rush to get a bunch more - having a couple prospects on the roster as backup PF/Cs is just fine. I wouldn't worry about finding true PGs or anything. I'd look for more triple threats who defend even if they're score-first. A top end prospect like Giddey or Cade or Barnes (i.e. a young Beal) would go a long way which is where the idea of letting Beal go doesn't phase me really.

Avoid free agency at all costs. I'd probably keep KCP around to this end. If Sato is willing to stay, he can absolutely stay. Nothing bigger than the MLE and ideally smaller than the MLE unless. I don't hate guys like Tyus Jones or Delon Wright but the team wouldn't need them or anything. I'd take a look and see if Schroder didn't get his expected windfall and see if maybe he was willing to sign a reasonable deal. I wouldn't be looking for long term answers in free agency. Just some shorter term plugs while the roster takes shape. A guy like Ish Wainright is probably a decent target. I might push the Raptors and dare them to pay Justin Champagnie close to the MLE as he could be a longer term role player but that wouldn't be a top priority.

Take time and patience to grow the roster and see what comes up. Any ways to move vet guys to add a future pick or two and I'd do it. Someone wants Kuzma and will give up a late 1st for him? Great. Don't tear everything down though. Just tear things down enough so the team can't win but keep developing the kind of utility guys winning teams need all the while - see Rui, Deni, Kispert and Gafford. The cupboards are pretty bare right now. Let the team lose 55+ games for the next season or two and don't worry about it too much.

Honestly, I'd love this plan even more if the Wizards somehow managed to luck into a top 4 pick. But even as it is getting another decent draft pick helps. I haven't looked super closely at the draft yet but I haven't hated what I've seen out of the likes of Sharpe, Mathurin, Davis, Daniels, Agbaji, Eason, Sochan, etc. I'm sure there will be quality options for the Wizards around 10 even if they don't move up.

[payitforward]

...We have ...a GM who has whiffed on the last 3 years 1st round picks.

Why would you say that?

Rui was a whiff -- which doesn't mean he can't/won't end up an outstanding player, btw -- but neither Deni nor Kispert are whiffs.

In fact, it's even unfair to call Rui a "whiff." There is no doubt whatever that picking him wasn't nearly the optimal way to maximize value from the #9 pick in 2019, but I think "whiff" should be saved for guys who wash out.

OTOH, being good at managing the draft to extract the maximum value from it is a skill that can't be assessed just by asking whether you picked a good player when your turn came up in R1. So, it's fair to say that Tommy has yet shown himself to be really good at managing the draft.