Presti's Tree Reaches DC: The Official Will Dawkins Thread

[leswizards]

If I were the gm, I would try to trade will Riley and aj Johnson to the suns for Khaman Maluach. I think that is a close to fair value trade.

Then if I were the coach, I would experiment with players. I already mentioned trying to make Bilal a Dennis Rodman clone. Additionally, I would see if Tristan could play power forward. His offense is already good. If his defense becomes passable as a pf, the Wizards have suddenly transformed him into a valuable asset. I would also experiment with Alex Sarr at pf and sf to see if his lack of rebounding and interior strength could be negated.

[nate33]

If I were the gm, I would try to trade will Riley and aj Johnson to the suns for Khaman Maluach. I think that is a close to fair value trade.

Then if I were the coach, I would experiment with players. I already mentioned trying to make Bilal a Dennis Rodman clone. Additionally, I would see if Tristan could play power forward. His offense is already good. If his defense becomes passable as a pf, the Wizards have suddenly transformed him into a valuable asset. I would also experiment with Alex Sarr at pf and sf to see if his lack of rebounding and interior strength could be negated.

I understand the desire to acquire a jumbo-sized center so that everyone else moves downward in position (Sarr to PF, Kyshawn to SF) and we end up with a huge front line. My issue is that I don't think it's worth it to try and groom that theoretical center. It takes a lot of time for those guys to fill out and I think they are obtainable in free agency. Let someone else develop them and then we can sign them or trade for them later. That's how good teams have added guys like Hartenstein, Adams, Poeltl, Mark Williams, Gafford etc.

So, rather than trade Riley for Maluach, I'd prefer to sign Robinson or Hartenstein. Or trade for one of Dallas' surplus centers.

[leswizards]

If I were the gm, I would try to trade will Riley and aj Johnson to the suns for Khaman Maluach. I think that is a close to fair value trade.

Then if I were the coach, I would experiment with players. I already mentioned trying to make Bilal a Dennis Rodman clone. Additionally, I would see if Tristan could play power forward. His offense is already good. If his defense becomes passable as a pf, the Wizards have suddenly transformed him into a valuable asset. I would also experiment with Alex Sarr at pf and sf to see if his lack of rebounding and interior strength could be negated.

I understand the desire to acquire a jumbo-sized center so that everyone else moves downward in position (Sarr to PF, Kyshawn to SF) and we end up with a huge front line. My issue is that I don't think it's worth it to try and groom that theoretical center. It takes a lot of time for those guys to fill out and I think they are obtainable in free agency. Let someone else develop them and then we can sign them or trade for them later. That's how good teams have added guys like Hartenstein, Adams, Poeltl, Mark Williams, Gafford etc.

So, rather than trade Riley for Maluach, I'd prefer to sign Robinson or Hartenstein. Or trade for one of Dallas' surplus centers.

There is almost no difference in salary commitments to Johnson and Riley versus Khaman. I doubt either Johnson or Riley develop any quicker Khaman.

To get significant playing time aj and will have to beat out 7 first round wings, a second round wing, and an undrafted wing. Khaman has almost no one to beat out.

This does not affect the Wizards ability to sign a free agent center.

I would love to have Gafford or lively, but not this season. Not sure lively would even be available. At worst, this trade would only marginally negatively affect the Wizards to trade for either Gafford or Lively.

Not sure what I think of Powell or Cisse. I don’t want Davis.

[nate33]

There is almost no difference in salary commitments to Johnson and Riley versus Khaman. I doubt either Johnson or Riley develop any quicker Khaman.

To get significant playing time aj and will have to beat out 7 first round wings, a second round wing, and an undrafted wing. Khaman has almost no one to beat out.

This does not affect the Wizards ability to sign a free agent center.

I would love to have Gafford or lively, but not this season. Not sure lively would even be available. At worst, this trade would only marginally negatively affect the Wizards to trade for either Gafford or Lively.

Not sure what I think of Powell or Cisse. I don’t want Davis.

It's not about the salary commitments. It's that you gave up an asset like Riley to get a center like Maluach, whom you will have to invest the next 2-3 years in developing. Better to keep Riley, sign Hartenstein/Robinson, and have BOTH needs filled more quickly.

Generally speaking, I just don't think it's worth it to invest picks and time to develop a role-player rim-runner center - a guy who will pan out to be a league average center like a Jakob Poeltl or Mark Williams. Those guys are always available in free agency of for a late FRP, so why develop one? Now, if you think Maluach is destined to be an All-Star caliber center, that's a different concept. I'm fine with trading for a guy with that kind of upside potential and developing him. If that's your idea, then my disagreement is only about your assessment of Maluach's talent, not your overall strategy.

[leswizards]

There is almost no difference in salary commitments to Johnson and Riley versus Khaman. I doubt either Johnson or Riley develop any quicker Khaman.

To get significant playing time aj and will have to beat out 7 first round wings, a second round wing, and an undrafted wing. Khaman has almost no one to beat out.

This does not affect the Wizards ability to sign a free agent center.

I would love to have Gafford or lively, but not this season. Not sure lively would even be available. At worst, this trade would only marginally negatively affect the Wizards to trade for either Gafford or Lively.

Not sure what I think of Powell or Cisse. I don’t want Davis.

It's not about the salary commitments. It's that you gave up an asset like Riley to get a center like Maluach, whom you will have to invest the next 2-3 years in developing. Better to keep Riley, sign Hartenstein/Robinson, and have BOTH needs filled more quickly.

Generally speaking, I just don't think it's worth it to invest picks and time to develop a role-player rim-runner center - a guy who will pan out to be a league average center like a Jakob Poeltl or Mark Williams. Those guys are always available in free agency of for a late FRP, so why develop one? Now, if you think Maluach is destined to be an All-Star caliber center, that's a different concept. I'm fine with trading for a guy with that kind of upside potential and developing him. If that's your idea, then my disagreement is only about your assessment of Maluach's talent, not your overall strategy.

We have a current need and almost certainly a future need for what Khaman can and may be able to provide. We have no current need and quite possibly no future need for what Will Riley provides.

[nate33]

There is almost no difference in salary commitments to Johnson and Riley versus Khaman. I doubt either Johnson or Riley develop any quicker Khaman.

To get significant playing time aj and will have to beat out 7 first round wings, a second round wing, and an undrafted wing. Khaman has almost no one to beat out.

This does not affect the Wizards ability to sign a free agent center.

I would love to have Gafford or lively, but not this season. Not sure lively would even be available. At worst, this trade would only marginally negatively affect the Wizards to trade for either Gafford or Lively.

Not sure what I think of Powell or Cisse. I don’t want Davis.

It's not about the salary commitments. It's that you gave up an asset like Riley to get a center like Maluach, whom you will have to invest the next 2-3 years in developing. Better to keep Riley, sign Hartenstein/Robinson, and have BOTH needs filled more quickly.

Generally speaking, I just don't think it's worth it to invest picks and time to develop a role-player rim-runner center - a guy who will pan out to be a league average center like a Jakob Poeltl or Mark Williams. Those guys are always available in free agency of for a late FRP, so why develop one? Now, if you think Maluach is destined to be an All-Star caliber center, that's a different concept. I'm fine with trading for a guy with that kind of upside potential and developing him. If that's your idea, then my disagreement is only about your assessment of Maluach's talent, not your overall strategy.

We have a current need and almost certainly a future need for what Khaman can and may be able to provide. We have no current need and quite possibly no future need for what Will Riley provides.

I'm not saying to sign a free agent center today. I'm saying to sign one next summer, or the summer after that if we intend to tank again next year.

[AFM]

Why are you guys even strategizing. We lost Deni. It's all over. Rebuild needs a rebuild. I haven't slept right in months and can't maintain an erection. It's over.

[leswizards]

It's not about the salary commitments. It's that you gave up an asset like Riley to get a center like Maluach, whom you will have to invest the next 2-3 years in developing. Better to keep Riley, sign Hartenstein/Robinson, and have BOTH needs filled more quickly.

Generally speaking, I just don't think it's worth it to invest picks and time to develop a role-player rim-runner center - a guy who will pan out to be a league average center like a Jakob Poeltl or Mark Williams. Those guys are always available in free agency of for a late FRP, so why develop one? Now, if you think Maluach is destined to be an All-Star caliber center, that's a different concept. I'm fine with trading for a guy with that kind of upside potential and developing him. If that's your idea, then my disagreement is only about your assessment of Maluach's talent, not your overall strategy.

We have a current need and almost certainly a future need for what Khaman can and may be able to provide. We have no current need and quite possibly no future need for what Will Riley provides.

I'm not saying to sign a free agent center today. I'm saying to sign one next summer, or the summer after that if we intend to tank again next year.

I understand and I am fine with that. I want Khaman playing center for the wizards this season, and if a future free agent signing limits him to being a backup, I am fine with that.

I would like to also point out that if the Wizards first round pick next season is aj, Nate or Caleb, will becomes even further redundant.

[leswizards]

Why are you guys even strategizing. We lost Deni. It's all over. Rebuild needs a rebuild. I haven't slept right in months and can't maintain an erection. It's over.

When I can’t maintain an erection, I often fantasize about how good the Wizards could be if only they would do the things that I want them to do.

[payitforward]

You guys don't know what you're even talking about -- try being 83....

[payitforward]

We have a current need and almost certainly a future need for what Khaman can and may be able to provide. We have no current need and quite possibly no future need for what Will Riley provides.

I'm not saying to sign a free agent center today. I'm saying to sign one next summer, or the summer after that if we intend to tank again next year.

I understand and I am fine with that. I want Khaman playing center for the wizards this season, and if a future free agent signing limits him to being a backup, I am fine with that.

I would like to also point out that if the Wizards first round pick next season is aj, Nate or Caleb, will becomes even further redundant.

This is an interesting exchange. I like Will Riley a lot, but I like Maluach a lot as well.

I don't agree with nate that it's any easier to sign an NBA-average-plus Center as a FA -- or trade for the guy -- than it is for a similar quality player at any other position. That is, I don't see the evidence, & I can't see why it would be so.

In any case, they're not taking the #21 pick last June for the #10 pick last June. Why would anyone do that?

[leswizards]

I'm not saying to sign a free agent center today. I'm saying to sign one next summer, or the summer after that if we intend to tank again next year.

I understand and I am fine with that. I want Khaman playing center for the wizards this season, and if a future free agent signing limits him to being a backup, I am fine with that.

I would like to also point out that if the Wizards first round pick next season is aj, Nate or Caleb, will becomes even further redundant.

This is an interesting exchange. I like Will Riley a lot, but I like Maluach a lot as well.

I don't agree with nate that it's any easier to sign an NBA-average-plus Center as a FA -- or trade for the guy -- than it is for a similar quality player at any other position. That is, I don't see the evidence, & I can't see why it would be so.

In any case, they're not taking the #21 pick last June for the #10 pick last June. Why would anyone do that?

I also included aj Johnson in the deal who was the 23rd pick in the 2024 draft. Considering that none of the players are playing well, I think two young late first rounders are roughly equal to one young late lottery pick. But the Wizards and suns may disagree.

[closg00]

Watch on YouTube

[tontoz]

I have no idea what to make of this...

[doclinkin]

I have no idea what to make of this...

Sarr. Kyshawn. Bilal. All 3 are good at guarding 1v1. We get beat on 2nd chance shots and team ball, leaving guys open on the wing or being unable to box out in the paint.

A thing I’ve said for a while. If we get an intimidating presence and proficient rebounder in the middle we will be dangerous on D. One of the few teams that can actually guard the outside.

[nate33]

I have no idea what to make of this...

This is what is so frustrating about the team. We have a ton of long, athletic guys who really seem to play defense well in space. Very few guys (except McCollum) get blown by, and we often challenge the shot competently. I really think that this team should me much better defensively. Part of the problem is obviously defensive rebounding, but that doesn't explain everything. There is something wrong with our scheme, or in the players' execution of the scheme. I'm not smart enough to figure out exactly what it is. We are yielding too many open looks despite the team being full of pretty good defenders. It may be that we overhelp far too much rather than just stay at home on the 3-point shooters and/or box out.

The optimistic take on this is that the talent for a good defense may already be on the team. It will just take the right coaching, and/or better execution from the players schematically as they improve their understanding of defensive nuances.

[doclinkin]

Alex Sarr is doing too much work. Defense works best from the basket outward. Your rim protector should not also be your best perimeter shutdown guy. Also your rear line defender should be the most vocal. Captain of your defense, to call out screens switches etc. The center can see the whole floor.

We are missing the keystone of a good defense. Why I feel Boozer would instantly raise the floor of this team — if not carry us to contention. In every respect except above-the-rim shot-blocking he fits the defense’s greatest need. Smarts. Leadership. Rebounding. Anticipation. Strength. Positioning. Even as a low post role model to teach veteran tricks that he’s been tutored in since birth.

I’d wish he had extra standing reach. But otherwise his precocious low post game, and the fact that he seems to still be learning new skills, suggests a guy who will have a long career anchoring a winning team. His added face up and passing skills sketch out a way he could share the floor with Alex on offense as a high post 4/5. Though we still need shooters around them for best spacing.