Wiz trade 5th pick to Minnesota

[closg00]

As a Minny fan I think that Foye has every quality except defensive ability you could want in a combo guard, he can score and be a playmaker unfortunately he can't do either consistently or at the same time.

He is frustrating to watch because at his best he is very good but that is maybe one game in 7 or 8 along with a few ok games and a few bad games.

He is probably best suited to a 6th man role where you see how he is going when he comes on and adjust his minutes depending on how well he is playing that day.

If you find a way to improve his consistency you will have a very nice pick up.

This is one of the main reason's Minny was done with Foye & their fans were not upset to see him go. I guess we will use Miller & Young during those times that Foye is slumping.

[Ji]

still think we would of been able to sign him if we had drafted him

[LyricalRico]

still think we would of been able to sign him if we had drafted him

I keep saying this isn't about WHO drafted him but WHERE he was drafted. He wasn't taken high enough for it to be worth his while financially to come over right now. Any team that had drafted him #5 would have the same problems IMO.

[nate33]

Ultimately, Rubio staying overseas isn't such a bad thing for Minnesota. They'll have two years to develop Flynn without competition from another young PG. In two years, Flynn's trade value should be at a maximum because he'll be showing some success while still having upside (and he'll have two years left on his rookie contract. They can then trade Flynn for the BPA and bring over Rubio (who would have been developing overseas on JKV's dime). They'll then have a fully-seasoned Rubio locked up for four years on a rookie scale contract.

[Kanyewest]

I keep saying this isn't about WHO drafted him but WHERE he was drafted. He wasn't taken high enough for it to be worth his while financially to come over right now. Any team that had drafted him #5 would have the same problems IMO.

Agreed. While this may be the best course of action for the T-Wolves, this probably wasn't the best course of action for the Wizards because the Wizards are ready to compete now, not later.

[barelyawake]

My last statement about this offseason. Just noticed that Minnie owns THREE first round picks for 2010. I cannot begin to explain to you how shortsighted it is to not have targeted one of those picks in a draft that will probably end up historic (even if it cost us some of our youth). And I cannot begin to tell you how nonsensical it is to artificially peak (without a plan to win it all) during a draft that many say will end up historic. I'm simply stating this and won't argue the point, because the truth of this statement won't be seen until after next year's draft.

We used to have a plan. Now, there is no clear plan except "wait and see." And the "wait and see" will be to "wait" until we let trade assets walk, then "see" that we are worse off next year. Again, a statement I won't argue. With that, I'm done talking basketball until the season starts. As I said, we'll have the best year in decades. But, wasted our shot to have a semi-interesting, but unfruitful year. Congrats to us. Barely out... Responses not read...

[dobrojim]

I think the plan is to have as good a team as possibly
right now. There is no doubt in my mind that mgmt
wants to re-establish us as one of the top teams in
the east. Of course it's always nice as well to have
young developing talent as well so your window isn't
1-2 years.

If you're suggesting we should have tried to pry 1
of MIN's picks next year away, I won't argue. I'll just
say that we don't know that they didn't try that.

[DCZards]

Ultimately, Rubio staying overseas isn't such a bad thing for Minnesota. They'll have two years to develop Flynn without competition from another young PG. In two years, Flynn's trade value should be at a maximum because he'll be showing some success while still having upside (and he'll have two years left on his rookie contract. They can then trade Flynn for the BPA and bring over Rubio (who would have been developing overseas on JKV's dime). They'll then have a fully-seasoned Rubio locked up for four years on a rookie scale contract.

If Flynn turns out to be the real deal....which wouldn't surprise me. Rubio will probably turn out to be the guy Minny trades. PG is probably the hardest position to learn so why trade Flynn after two years, assuming that he's having some success in the league and the team is geling, and start all over with Rubio, who would have zero NBA experience or success.

[LyricalRico]

If you're suggesting we should have tried to pry 1
of MIN's picks next year away, I won't argue. I'll just
say that we don't know that they didn't try that.

To try and judge this team's offseason based on what people on message boards say they should have done is ridiculous. I can't think that Ernie would have said "I'm going to try to get back as little as possible in this trade" or "I could get a superstar but I don't want to be TOO successful so I'll make this trade instead". These imaginary scenarios where Ernie could have supposedly gotten a kings ransom just didn't exist, otherwise he would have made them.

[closg00]

If you're suggesting we should have tried to pry 1
of MIN's picks next year away, I won't argue. I'll just
say that we don't know that they didn't try that.

These imaginary scenarios where Ernie could have supposedly gotten a kings ransom just didn't exist, otherwise he would have made them.

...and we don't know that for a fact either....just sayin, it works both ways.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

My last statement about this offseason. Just noticed that Minnie owns THREE first round picks for 2010. I cannot begin to explain to you how shortsighted it is to not have targeted one of those picks in a draft that will probably end up historic (even if it cost us some of our youth). And I cannot begin to tell you how nonsensical it is to artificially peak (without a plan to win it all) during a draft that many say will end up historic. I'm simply stating this and won't argue the point, because the truth of this statement won't be seen until after next year's draft.

We used to have a plan. Now, there is no clear plan except "wait and see." And the "wait and see" will be to "wait" until we let trade assets walk, then "see" that we are worse off next year. Again, a statement I won't argue. With that, I'm done talking basketball until the season starts. As I said, we'll have the best year in decades. But, wasted our shot to have a semi-interesting, but unfruitful year. Congrats to us. Barely out... Responses not read...

barely, for a while I was quite dejected about the Wizards not getting the 18 or the 28 from Minnesota. Still say they should have. Minnesota will also reap huge benefits from the fifth pick, which as far as I'm concerned was Jonny Flynn. (I know it was Rubio, but the point is they have his rights, too.) I think the Timberwolves made out like bandits and they'll be a great team in 2-3 years, thanks largely to Washington.

That said, I'm excited about the Wizards upcoming season. Not lost on me (and what's freed me up from being mad about them not getting a pick from Minny and them taking cash instead of Blair) is that IN ADDITION TO WINNING a lot more games this season with Miller and Foye contributing shooting and passing, EG has some really good trade pieces in the two expiring contracts he acquired.

barelyeawake I see the end result of Ernie's summer deals going one of two ways....

--If Washington can become of fifth seed (or better) and/or if EG makes a blockbuster trade (Bosh/Amare/healthy Brand etc), I can't argue with them not having Minnesota's pick.

OTOH if EG fails to make the ployoffs or if he squeeks in as an eighth seed and gets swept in round one I'd say this offseaon was a huge failure, barelyawake. Miller and Foye weren't all that and neither were Flip and his coaching staff.

Right now, I'm optimistic, ba.

[closg00]

Sleeper move: Randy Foye has been injury-prone, so trading him and the expiring Mike Miller for a high lottery pick was a nice splash for Kahn, but he could wind up looking really good if Pecherov develops. Darius Songaila should contribute the next two seasons, but it's the 23-year old Ukrainian who is the potential x-factor in the deal, capable of blossoming as a 7-footer with intriguing skills.

http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=689

[montestewart]

Sleeper move: Randy Foye has been injury-prone, so trading him and the expiring Mike Miller for a high lottery pick was a nice splash for Kahn, but he could wind up looking really good if Pecherov develops. Darius Songaila should contribute the next two seasons, but it's the 23-year old Ukrainian who is the potential x-factor in the deal, capable of blossoming as a 7-footer with intriguing skills.

http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=689

It's worth quoting the same publication on the trade from the Wizards perspective (maybe cited somewhere above already?).

"Sleeper move: Does anyone trade young, unproven talent for established players better than Grunfeld? He moved Devin Harris for Antawn Jamison, who became an All-Star. He moved Kwame Brown for Caron Butler, who became an All-Star. Now he has moved the No. 5 pick and spare parts for Mike Miller, a former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man Award winner, and combo guard Randy Foye. They combined to average 26.2 points and 8.8 assists last season, and their willingness to move the ball will fit on a team loaded with scorers."

and also

"Biggest setback: Trading the fifth pick in the draft - a high slot they may not have again for a while - and watching potential game-changer Ricky Rubio drop to that spot. If Rubio becomes as special as his proponents say he will, Grunfeld and the Wizards will be second-guessed for a long time."

http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=679

[LyricalRico]

^ Good catch. I find that a lot of these online sports writers seem to completely forget what they write in the exact same article from one paragraph to the next.

[montestewart]

I find that a lot of these online sports writers seem to completely forget what they write in the exact same article from one paragraph to the next.

In fairness, the division summaries at this site had different authors that may have focused on generating excitement about their subjects.

The frequently funny and audacious Charley Rosen can produce such illogical disparities within a single sentence.

[pancakes3]

i can at least appreciate Charlie Rosen for his eons of experience. He brings nostalgia to the table.

Whitlock and Scoop bring racism (not the good Ralph Wiley/Chris Rock kind either) to the table. Mariotti and Bayless bring incredulous, biased, moral high horse, reverse racism to the table. Jim Rome and Stephen A. Smith bring incoherent yelling to the table.

i guess i'm just saying i hate ESPN.

but the local guys aren't free from blame too. Larry Michael is in tight with the organization, but he reads the prompter like a 6 year old. ivan is getting his ass kicked by wiretap. even chick's schtick is getting old for me at least. hrm....

[montestewart]

but the local guys aren't free from blame too.

Agree w/ most of above, including the Rosen comment. With the locals, I can see how it could be difficult to get close to your subject and keep asking the hard questions. The Post's Michael Lee at least seems to be trying to provide a lot of coverage.

[P'Oed]

Rubio back to Spain.....



HOW DO YA LIKE ERNIE NOW?!!!!

[verbal8]

Seems a lot like the JCN situation with more Rubio having more upside.

[Kanyewest]

After some time, I wonder how these people feel now given that Rubio will only have an affordable buyout for the 2011-12 season:

Ugh we could have had Rubio.

Horrible trade.

I don't like Rubio on Washington's roster but having him as trade bait would have been muy perfecto.

Damn trade...

WOW what a flop of a trade

EG pulled the trigger WAAAYYYY too early. Why couldn't he wait til draft night so see what he could do.

We could have had Rubio or traded it then.

I HATE this trade and I hate this team.

lol, I bet the idiot Grunfeld would made the same deal had we had the #2 pick as well..

smh in disgust @ this pathetic organization.

I take back any good things I said about the trade. horrible, horrible deal. unless you freakin know that rubio wont be there you dont make that damn trade. fire EG!

Kind of funny how all the positive vibe just went out the window. The fact of the matter is, the Wizards were unwilling to take a risk. Because of that, they lost out on the opportunity to draft Rubio. Not necessarily to keep him, but to fetch something better than what they got with Minn. And, in the end, if they couldn't, they still could have dealt Rubio to Minnesota for what they got. Like I said before, the problem that I have with this organization is that they always seem to play it safe, instead of swinging for the fence. While I don't think the Wizards are necessarily "content for mediocrity" (I don't want to offend Fish again ), but its the play safe attitude of the Wizards that lead to mediocrity.