Summer 2012 Free Agents Thread - Part III

[Ruzious]

Harrellson is one of those guys that - even though he looks clumsy and unathletic - seems to get the job done. But I'd be more inclined to take a chance on an athletic perimeter player who can shoot - even if they're under-sized. If the Lakers cut either Johnson-Odom or Goudelock (sp?), I'd have an interest. Considering they signed Meeks, I figure 1 of them is going.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Houston just released Josh Harrellson. He didn't play much as a rookie -- just 540 total minutes -- but he actually wasn't bad. He's a guy I wouldn't mind seeing the Wizards pick up as a depth big man. He won't be an All-Star, but he's one of those pesky players with a big body and active hands who always seems to get in the opponents' way. As a 3rd center behind Okafor and Seraphin, the Wiz could do a lot worse than Harrellson.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I remember seeing him at UK and subconsciously thinking it was Kanter, even though I knew Kanter was ineligible. Seemed like he was fairly efficient then, and a bear of a matchup. Works for me as a deep bench guy.

While he was at UK, Harrellson practiced against Cousins one year and Kanter the next. I recall him crediting going against those two good big men as helping him become an NBA-caliber player himself.

Harrellson is also John Wall's former teammate from UK. He could be a popular addition with John Wall and Wizard fans.

[DCZards]

Ditto for me as far as liking Harrelson. I immediately thought of him for the Zards when I saw that he was waived but figured we already had a surplus of big bodies. I've always been impressed by his agility for a big man and his work on the boards. He did some decent things with the Knicks last year when he would get some run. I wouldn't be surprised if several teams are bidding for Harreslson's services.

[nate33]

If we're locked into adding a "veteran" rather than a hungry youngster, then I think Pietrus is the best bet for us at this point. He's a veteran at a position where we lack veterans, and he's a respectable 3-point shooter and defender. At age 30, he's on the downside of his career but he's not washed up.

That said, I wonder why his 3P% has dropped into the 34% range these past two years when he used to hover around 37%?

[verbal8]

That said, I wonder why his 3P% has dropped into the 34% range these past two years when he used to hover around 37%?

Lack of the "Howard Effect"? He is only a 67% career FT shooter, so I think the mid 30s will be his typical 3 point shooting rate, even if his shot selection is pretty good.

[nate33]

That said, I wonder why his 3P% has dropped into the 34% range these past two years when he used to hover around 37%?

Lack of the "Howard Effect"? He is only a 67% career FT shooter, so I think the mid 30s will be his typical 3 point shooting rate, even if his shot selection is pretty good.

He shot 39% and 36% in his last two years with Golden State before going to Orlando.

[closg00]

When does Houston have to consolidate that roster, what is the deadlin and how-many players can they have under contract?

I think the Wiz should cut Mack and look for a combo guard that score. Look overseas/NBDL/camp invite.

Unless you want to see Jan playing at Center, I would try to bring-in Harly. Nene and Okafor should not be playing over 30 minutes a night. We already know that Nene will probably be resting that foot throughout the year.

[nate33]

I see no overwhelming need to add another center right now. We've got 3 guys on the roster fully capable of playing starting center minutes, and Vesely can play there in small ball configurations. If we get hit with a wave of injuries so that two among Nene, Seraphin and Okafor are hurt, THEN we can add another center. That's why we should leave the 15th roster slot open for now.

With James Singleton and Blatche no longer options, I'd aim to add one more big man, but I don't much care whether it's a PF or C. Just get the best available player. I'd prefer that it be somebody with a knockdown perimeter shot. That seems to be the biggest need in our front court (unless Booker continues to improve).

Draymond Green or Quincy Acy would have been nice as a 2nd round pick. But as I lamented before, there didn't seem to be a comprehensive plan in place for this offseason. If management had done their homework, they would have known that amnestying Blatche was likely, and that James Singleton didn't want to stick around. With that the case, we had enough roster openings that we didn't need to "draft and stash" our #33 pick. We could have used it on an NBA ready college player at a frontcourt position. Now we're stuck scrounging around for castoffs from other teams to fill that spot.

[Ruzious]

If worst comes to worst, they can get a guy like Brockman - who I'm guessing Houston will cut. The Wiz have Seraphin, Nene, and Okafor - so depth isn't a problem. And Booker played some center last season - he was the small ball center last season; not Vesely. If you want to take a quick look at who Houston has under contract, look at the trade checker.

Fwiw, I'd rather not get Pietrus. He may be only 30, but he looks 5 steps slower than when he started in the NBA.

[payitforward]

Put me on the "yes to Harrellson" list -- he gets the job done, and you cannot have enough guys who do that. The better your talent the better your position to make good trades to balance talent/position.

Doesn't shoot well, doesn't rebound excessively well, doesn't get to the line. But doesn't turn it over, doesn't foul, steals it a good rate, rebounds adequately well.

Guy'll probably play 12 years in the league and get 3 rings!

[payitforward]

If worst comes to worst, they can get a guy like Brockman...

Brockman is the cautionary tale about Harrellson. Had an outstanding rookie year then for some reason simply couldn't sustain the high rebounding rate that made him effective.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Ditto for me as far as liking Harrelson. I immediately thought of him for the Zards when I saw that he was waived but figured we already had a surplus of big bodies. I've always been impressed by his agility for a big man and his work on the boards. He did some decent things with the Knicks last year when he would get some run. I wouldn't be surprised if several teams are bidding for Harreslson's services.

Yeah I like Harrellson too. He was a guy I was hoping the Wizards would take in the 2nd round of that draft thinking they could use that type of scrappy player down low. And the added benefit of being a former teammate of Wall's makes it seem to be a good fit.

Would definitely like to see the Wizards pick him up. I do like the idea of picking up Pietrus also.

I like the idea of filling out the roster to 15, although I doubt they'll do that citing the need to keep flexibility.

How many times have we heard over the past few seasons about them not having enough players for practice. For example, they sign Harrellson & Pietrus (wishful thinking), we are at least 3 deep at every position to cover depth needs throughout the season, with several players able to play multiple position if further need arises. If the extra spot is necessary for some unforeseen reason, they could waive someone like Mack or Martin.

But to pick up a young scrappy big like Harrellson and a vet wing like Pietrus would do nicely to solidify our bench and close out a strong offseason. They both would fit in well with this roster IMO and further the defensive focus of this team.

[popper]

Any chance Livingston will be let go? If so, I'd grab him and cut Mack.

[nate33]

Any chance Livingston will be let go? If so, I'd grab him and cut Mack.

Without question.

[closg00]

Any chance Livingston will be let go? If so, I'd grab him and cut Mack.

Without question.

I used to think that SL would be released but now I'm not so sure. I think Tony Douglas is their only other back-up.

[hands11]

Any chance Livingston will be let go? If so, I'd grab him and cut Mack.

Since they didn't bring back Mason, I like the idea of Livingston coming back. I have been a fan of considering a Livingston return.

Mack is a dead end prospect. Maybe in a few years he can show something better as a back up PG but right now he is better suited to play off the ball. He isn't good at initiating the offense. At his size, speed and shooting skills, I just don't get the felling like he adds all that much.

Just cut him and move on. He was only a 2nd round pick. He served his purpose. He was a warm body and good locker room dude while they did the heavy armed tank for one more year. We got Beal. Mission accomplish. Time to move on

I would feel much better about Wall, Livingston and Price then Wall, Mack and Price.

I actually think it would do a lot for the team to add him.

[montestewart]

The issue isn't so much that Livinston seems so much better than Mack, but that he seems so much better than Mack or Price. Mack had no proper offseason, an abbreviated training camp, no veteran PG to help out, and (like Wall) few reliable targets for his passes. Not ideal conditions to come into the league and develop, and he looked like crap most minutes. Still, why not at least try him another year, as a third PG? Why bring in Price, whose own history (a declining one at that) doesn't project to be better than a third PG? Maybe a little competition in training camp will bring out better in one or both of them, but the Wizards need a backup PG, and it isn't likely to be either of them. Livingston looked pretty good when he was here.

[rockymac52]

Leandro Barbosa, anyone? The biggest knock on him is his defense, but if he played alongside Wall, it's plausible that we could hide his ineptitude by having Barbosa guard the opposing PG and Wall take the SG. He'd also add a deadly long range threat that we've desperately needed. At this point in free agency, it's pretty clear that he wouldn't cost much either. We might be able to get him for the vet minimum even. I'd happily throw $2-3 million towards Barbosa.

[DMVleGeND]

Leandro Barbosa, anyone? The biggest knock on him is his defense, but if he played alongside Wall, it's plausible that we could hide his ineptitude by having Barbosa guard the opposing PG and Wall take the SG. He'd also add a deadly long range threat that we've desperately needed. At this point in free agency, it's pretty clear that he wouldn't cost much either. We might be able to get him for the vet minimum even. I'd happily throw $2-3 million towards Barbosa.

No to Barbosa. Dude plays so reckless, and his jumper his streaky at best.

[NortheastWiz]

Leandro Barbosa, anyone? The biggest knock on him is his defense, but if he played alongside Wall, it's plausible that we could hide his ineptitude by having Barbosa guard the opposing PG and Wall take the SG. He'd also add a deadly long range threat that we've desperately needed. At this point in free agency, it's pretty clear that he wouldn't cost much either. We might be able to get him for the vet minimum even. I'd happily throw $2-3 million towards Barbosa.

Im def not against it. I