How do you fix this team?

[LyricalRico]

Interesting, Dat. I wouldn't be upset at all with that final product. They'd be very competitive for the next couple years. I might even look to package McGee+Booker+Marvin to see what I can get in the way of a younger wing scorer.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Not saying I'd make all these moves or that it's even feasible but here's a tough, edgy team that could be next year's Memphis:

(please note this is just for fun. Don't kill me!

New lineup:

PG John Wall / Jordan Crawford
SG Arron Afflalo / Othyus Jeffers / Marshon Brooks
SF Stephen Jackson / Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith / Trevor Booker / Kenneth Faried
CE Nene / Javale McGee

Nothing at all to dislike about this one, atleast talent wise.

Jackson and Smith together without a strong coach would certainly have implode potential, though.

[Hoopalotta]

1. Trade 6th pick, Andray Blatche, Kevin Seraphin & Rashard Lewis to ATL for Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Zaza Pachulia.

A smarter move would be to wait until the CBA is worked out before making any big deals. If we can hit Rashard with an amnesty provision and then make the big ole trade in the context of leveraging $20 million of cap space against a team that's hard pressed, it's going to accrue a great deal more value than if we jump the gun and act now. The longer the lockout, the less burdensome Shard is and the more punitive the new CBA, the better our leverage.

I strongly suspect that the new deal is going to fundamentally alter the evaluations of trades with financial relief being a real powerful impeller in certain cases; Atlantis is looking like just such an instance, so Blatche alone for Jos' Smiff and Marvelous is probably workable with further incentive being something we should throw in for Horford.

If they institute a two-n'-done rule and geld the 2012 draft, we should look into upgrading the talent level with well paid veterans who teams are trying to shed as tanking would just be folly. Having looked over team salaries a bit, I think that's going to be the sweet spot more than BOYDs because many of the guys teams would want to shed - like Richard Jefferson or Marvelous - are too expensive to justify absorbing unless an absurd number of picks are kicked in, which I doubt anyone could justify (I gotta say those Richard Jefferson contract shenanigans from last summer looks absolutely horrible now; up there with the Bucks' misadventures).

Anyway, the percentage play is to wait and be ready to spend big in the weeks right after the lockout finishes as it's probably the best opportunity we'll have to add talent in the next 8-10 years.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Not saying I'd make all these moves or that it's even feasible but here's a tough, edgy team that could be next year's Memphis:

(please note this is just for fun. Don't kill me! )

1. Trade 6th pick, Andray Blatche, Kevin Seraphin & Rashard Lewis to ATL for Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Zaza Pachulia.

2. Draft Kenneth Faried with the 18th pick

3. Draft Marshon Brooks with the 34th pick

2. Trade Zaza Pachulia to CHA for Stephen Jackson

3. Sign Arron Afflalo in free agency

4. Sign Nene in free agency

New lineup:

PG John Wall / Jordan Crawford
SG Arron Afflalo / Othyus Jeffers / Marshon Brooks
SF Stephen Jackson / Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith / Trevor Booker / Kenneth Faried
CE Nene / Javale McGee

I like all of them.

--FAs Nene and Afflalo are guys the Wizards should throw some coin toward. Both shoot well and are excellent team players.
--Definitely bring Jeffers back. Dude as a motor and rebounds well.
--Pray for Faried at 18 and/or Brooks at 34. I don't see either lasting that long.
--Josh Smith is a guy I would trade Blatche and the 6th for. I would.

I assume taking Marvin Williams and Zaza are the price to be paid for acquiring the best player.

I don't know about acquiring Jackson, but he's better and more competitive than anybody the Wizards have.

The Wizards need to become ultra-athletic, which means they get guys with quickness and length on defense, who can get in transition. They also need to improve shooting.

Dat, your guys are the guys I like as well.


Dat, that team would be FAST and athletic.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Not saying I'd make all these moves or that it's even feasible but here's a tough, edgy team that could be next year's Memphis:

(please note this is just for fun. Don't kill me!

New lineup:

PG John Wall / Jordan Crawford
SG Arron Afflalo / Othyus Jeffers / Marshon Brooks
SF Stephen Jackson / Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith / Trevor Booker / Kenneth Faried
CE Nene / Javale McGee

Nothing at all to dislike about this one, atleast talent wise.

Jackson and Smith together without a strong coach would certainly have implode potential, though.

lsbf, I think that team (and this one) would be much better with a better coach than Flip.

[Hoopalotta]

Marcus (Orlando)
Are the Magic basically praying for an amnesty clause in the new CBA at this point, or are there other, smaller deals that they can do?

Chad Ford
They are. The Lakers are. The Wizards are. I could go on. The problem is that there have been a lot of small market teams that have been incredibly frugal. Why would they agree to let the big market teams off for making irresponsible gambles. The most underreported story out of the whole CBA negotiations is the major split between big market and small market owners on everything from amnesty to more important issues like revenue sharing. It's tough to have labor peace with the union when NBA owners can't get their own house in order.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/38627

Interesting; this is the first I've seen of any sort of implication that we're willing to axe Rashard.

As to the secondary issues raised by Ford, I guess the longer a lockout lasts, the better our position for a traditional (no-cap clearing) buyout too should the amnesty not materialize.

Personally, I think if they get anywhere near a hard-cap, there's going to be a lot of pressure for a proper cap-clearing disintegration ray of an amnesty provision. An amnesty also theoretically helps teams that are under next year's cap line by glutting the free agent market further with more talent, thereby depressing prices.

[skins980]

Not saying I'd make all these moves or that it's even feasible but here's a tough, edgy team that could be next year's Memphis:

(please note this is just for fun. Don't kill me! )

1. Trade 6th pick, Andray Blatche, Kevin Seraphin & Rashard Lewis to ATL for Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Zaza Pachulia.

2. Draft Kenneth Faried with the 18th pick

3. Draft Marshon Brooks with the 34th pick

2. Trade Zaza Pachulia to CHA for Stephen Jackson

3. Sign Arron Afflalo in free agency

4. Sign Nene in free agency

New lineup:

PG John Wall / Jordan Crawford
SG Arron Afflalo / Othyus Jeffers / Marshon Brooks
SF Stephen Jackson / Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith / Trevor Booker / Kenneth Faried
CE Nene / Javale McGee

Though I agree most people would love these moves, I don't see it as very probable if at all (all trades are within the division, and Atlanta is giving up 3 of their top 8 guys) nor do I necessarily consider it a good long-term move. These are short-term fixes that make us a probable playoff team, but essentially another Philadelphia 76ers at best (young, athletic team without the power of OKC or Memphis).

We need to consider what moves the Wizards should make now to beat the Bulls, Knicks, and Heat in 2013-14 (note: we have no chance to beat them with Rashard's contract killing our salary cap space). I look at this projected team and I think we're in a sort of salary hell at least for 2-3 years -- $30 million alone for Josh Smith, Stephen Jackson and Marvin Williams through 2012-13 plus 7.5 million for Marvin in 2013-14. Yet at the same time we're already somewhat screwed while we wait for Rashard Lewis' contract to expire -- so it might be a good short-term move possibly. Yet at the end of 2-3 years, I would probably only want to keep Josh Smith possibly who will be available as a FA at that time anyway, so essentially I would pay a 6th overall pick to rent Josh Smith for two years when I realize my team is going nowhere in the meantime.
Conclusion: We can get Josh Smith later (if we desire). Keep the 6th overall now and try to move up to #3 for Kanter.

I really like the Nene signing, but that is contingent on him being able to be our 3rd or 4th best player on a title contender, which at over $10 million a season is a gamble (most likely asking for 11-12mill/ season for 5-6 years). With the CBA in flux, risking a large percentage of our cap space on Nene is somewhat risky as it forces us to rely on rookie contracts or trades (essentially money to sign FAs would be limited). I'd rather stick it out with McGee and fix the hole as needed later.
Afflalo would be a good signing though as he would come cheap and deliver the outside shooting and defense we desire in SG position.

Literally, we need to just follow Sam Presti rules. Nail draft picks to acquire young talent then sign/trade for more experienced players to fill needs as the talent develops. It's okay if we lose games now to build the pieces for later. Hence, I am huge proponent of doing what is reasonably necessary to moving up to #3 to grab Kanter. Kanter will be a starter on the team for the next 10 years. Not a superstar, but a solid contributor -- Horace Grant type.

I do advocate getting rid of Blatche as soon as possible for players with 1-2 year contracts or draft picks. We don't have the locker room personalities to properly restrain and focus Blatche, thereby endangering locker room chemistry.
Also, if we could somehow get rid of Lewis and Blatche by 2012 trade deadline, we can accelerate our cap space flexibility by $28 million and one season to become major contenders in the 2012 offseason. Having Wall, McGee, and Kanter would be enticing for potential free agents and trade targets.

Stay salary cap flexible and stay patient, we're not gonna be contenders any time soon. Positioning ourselves for the 2013 trade deadline and 2013 offseason is priority so long as Lewis' contract is on the team.

[hands11]

Trade Wall for Gil. You guys are making this more complicated that it is.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If I were GM this is what I'd do, as of 6/6/11:

My goal at draft time and with free agency signing dates approaching would be to improve the culture of the team.

--Washington is know as a young, not too smart, team.
--Washington's best bigs are finesse players. The only bruisers on the team are unskilled Seraphin and Booker.
--There is only one shooter (Lewis I consider not part of the future) and he is a streaky restricted FA who does little besides score (and play good man defense).
--Each of the young players, including Wall, has liabilities to their games that hurts the team.

Overall, this team is not known as a team that has a toughness and winning resolve. My moves would address these issues.

Two players not many are talking about who I would target three free agency: Josh McRoberts and Steve Novak.

--Novak already does what folks hope Justin Harper will do at the next level. He makes the shots Yi Jianlian misses. Novak has played many years for teams like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. He can be counted on for professionalism and shot making.

--McRoberts IMO is better than Blatche. He can start and be a very good goon, but one with skill. He's physical in a way that would complement McGee better than Andray does. ALSO, if Blatche is at C he can play with McRoberts. Josh McRoberts also seems like a guy Flip could use well.

In addition to adding just those two guys to fill specific needs, I would probably let Nick walk in free agency and I'd look to trade Blatche. Looking at this draft, I see potentially better SGs than Nick. At PF I see many guys who can step in and play. I see guys like Brooks, Thompson, Jenkins, Holiday, Nolan Smith; and I think the Wizards need to change a few guys.

What the Wizards need is better shooting, more solid fundamental play, and overall toughness.

This draft could be very transformational for the team.

[Ruzious]

CCJ, I could see McBob as a good choice if we get rid of Blatche. If he'd just play with more consistency, he could take that step up that Humphrey's did last season for NJ. He's also a very good passer, btw. Novak - not so much. He belongs in the NBA for his great shooting, but he's not an NBA athlete. Harper is an athlete, so he at least has the potential to not kill the team in every area of the game other than shooting. The best teams are in a position where they can use 1 dimentional shooters somewhat effectively. The Wiz ain't one of those teams.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I hear you, Ruz, but my thinking is two points are two points. Better still, three points are three scored.

Novak's play while with Houston a couple years back has me convinced he's a better-than-average player overall. He's not an athlete but he's in the top 1% of shooters if you leave him. Wall and Crawford slash to the hole and Nick can score. Put a guy like Novak at SF or PF and he's going to score a lot more than he gives up.

Ruz, I am talking about having Novak as a 15-20 minute player, not a starter. I have a philosophical difference with you about 1-dimensional guys. I think role players can be just do one thing real well.

[fishercob]

The Dallas Mavericks are NBA Champions . That should inform this discussion.

The Mavs' four-guard rotation combined for 8 dunks this enitre season (not post-season) -- all of them by Jason Terry. Think about that. We're always talking about the critical need for size and length in the backcourt, and yet Dallas was quite small.

The Mavs had one superstar and lots and lots of really good players, plus a few good ones. Depth matters! Ian Mahinmi isn't ready for big minutes, but he's an athlete with talent and was able to contribute (the anti-Hilton Armstrong). Brian Cardinal answered the bell -- repeatedly.

This series proves above all that basketball is a team sport. Dallas played better as a team, and so they won. Thats why the organization seems to be in love with Wall -- because he's a team first guy and is going to lead the building of that culture.

The other factor is age. To a man, Dallas said their experience worked in their favor. What does that say about us? It's going to be a long road and people need to settle in.

So how do you fix this team? First and foremost, you have to add talent -- high character talent will stay committed to team even in times of failure. We need smart guys who will play any role asked of them too. So sh*t, maybe we do add 3 rookies again this year, suck again, accumulate more assets, get another high pick.

The point is that while having multiple hall of farmers in their prime is certainly nice, and a way to win (or almost win -- heh heh) a ring, it's not the only way. Build depth and see where that takes us.

[Ruzious]

Yup, Dallas showed physical ability doesn't win it, skills, smarts, teamwork, and maturity are every bit as important. And Dallas didn't even have great indivual defenders. Kidd and Matrix used to be - but they've both lost steps. The Wiz need to add skill guys.

[gesa2]

You know what team had talent pretty similar to Dallas', but was missing the defensive philosophy and steady mature approach? The Arenas Jamison Butler Haywood Wizards. We had one elite scorer, several other skilled players with experience and a good defensive center. If Arenas hadn't been such a nut and Eddie Jordan had embraced Thibodeau instead of driving him away, who knows what could have happened?

[daSwami]

Had an interesting discussion with a friend who has spent some time working with the Wizards training staff. He was Jerry Stackhouse's personal trainer as he was rehabbing his knee back in 2004, and has worked with the team during the pre-season in subsequent years. I asked him why he thinks the Wiz have had such terrible injury problems over the past several seasons. I'm summarizing here, but his take was that the trainers have little-to-no control in deciding when players are ready to resume playing. In essence, the culture within the organization has the players calling the shots. Gilbert Arenas refused to even speak with Eric Waters (who he described as being very good) after his first knee surgery. He hired his own trainer and rehabbed on his own terms. The training staff tends to rely on subjective methods (i.e., "how do you feel?") to measure a player's injury progress because medical tests are costly and time-consuming, which is counter-productive to Management's mandate to get the player back on the court asap. Ultimately, if a player says that he feels ready to go, then he's ready to play, even if the training staff disagrees. A couple more interesting tidbits from our convo:

He said Yi is a physical freak in terms of musculature and body fat - all veins and sinew - no fat.
Blatche has never been in peak physical condition and that he probably never will be - just doesn't have the type of body that puts on muscle easily.
He said Kwame Brown was the most awe-inspiring specimen he had ever seen in person.
Heard a rumor that MJ once actually threatened Abe with physical violence.

[skins980]

From Rich Cho, Charlotte GM:

"One of the worst things you can do in this league is be a middle-of-the-road team - in the playoffs one year, out the next," Cho said Tuesday at an introductory news conference at Time Warner Cable Arena.

"One of the tough things about a middle-of-the-road team is you never get really good draft picks. That makes it hard to have sustained success. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.

"I'm a big proponent of accumulating assets," Cho said. "That's how we did it in Oklahoma City."

Quite possibly the best GM advice I've ever heard from the mouth of a GM. Basic strategy don't even consider building a team if it's not gonna be a championship contenders. Teams like Milwaukee will never get anywhere the way they're constructed as they lack enough trade assets and cap space while being stuck with a "middle-of-the road" team.

Let the wizards suck for a few years, keep stocking talent and hope to break through with some great picks. 1-2 year deals only.

[dangermouse]

Yep. Get someone at least starting quality with the #6. A roleplayer wouldnt be so bad...

If theres someone at #18 who has high risk/potential, F it, take him anyway.

The reverse of that is also OK.

Next season do everything we can to Tank, Tank, Tank. Get another high lotto pick in what SHOULD be a decent draft.

Do everything possible to get another mid-first rounder.

[leswizards]

I have made this point before, but after last night's draft, and out of continued frustration at the lack of strategic foresight, I will make it again. At some point, the Wizards are going to have to start consolidating talent.

The Wizards now have 7 front court players that they are either invested in (Blatche, Vesely, McGee, Booker, Seraphin, Singleton) or stuck with for the next few years (Rashard). There are only 144 minutes per game available in front court. If the coach were to divide the minutes equally amoung the 7 players that would be about 20 mpg per player. I guess from a players perspective, that might be acceptable

However, I think ideally what the Wizards need to happen is to have 3 of those players start playing to a level where a coach feels it is the best interest of the team that those 3 players each play 36 mpg. Ideally a fourth player would step up a play to a level where the coach would feel it is in the best interest of the team to play the player about 24 mpg.

I think the best case scenario is if Vesely, McGee, and Blatche start playing like starters (ie, getting 36 mpg), and Booker ends up playing like a strong bench player (ie, flip feels compelled to play him 24 mpg). However in the best case scenario, Rashard is now getting paid $20 plus million to fight for garbage minutes and the mid first round picks spent on Seraphin and Singleton are now wasted investments.

If it were up to me, since the Wizards are stuck with Rashard for the foreseeable future, I would just pencil Rashard in for 24 mpg. Then when his contract expires, I would have a huge pool of money to replace him with an even better upgrade. I would stick with McGee as the starting C, and pencil him in for 36 MPG. Then I would consolidate Vesely, Blatche, Booker, Singleton, and Seraphin into whatever trades I could to get upgrades at starting SF and PF. This strategy would have worked much better pre draft rather than post draft (when our trading partners could have drafted whomever they wanted rather than being stuck with Vesely and Singleton).

Hence my frustration as I realize we are going to be stuck with another season of a bunch of nearly interchangeable parts fighting for minutes with none of them being nearly dominate enough to clearly win the starting spot nor lift the Wizards out of the cellar.

[Rafael122]

I mentioned this in another thread that we've got a lot of solid, young players but we've got no identity. We have a little bit of everything.

I'm fine with Lewis as a starter by the way. We need outside shooting and he provides just that, we just took two dudes with questionable shooting.

PG - Wall
SG - Young
SF - Lewis
PF -Blatche
C - McGee

Bench:
PG - Crawford
SG - ?
SF - Singleton
PF - Vesely
C - Seraphin

Booker is the hybrid, will probably play the 3 or 4 depending on the matchup situation. The bench lacks scoring options and I hope they realize this, Crawford's the only legit scoring threat off the bench.

[nate33]

I have made this point before, but after last night's draft, and out of continued frustration at the lack of strategic foresight, I will make it again. At some point, the Wizards are going to have to start consolidating talent.

I don't get why you are frustrated. Sure, a consolidation trade in the not-too-distant future makes sense, but until now we haven't had enough marketable assets to make such a trade. This team has one star and perhaps two legit starters right now (Young and McGee). Rashard has no trade value because of his contract. Blatche has no trade value because of his attitude and contract.

Booker, Seraphin and Crawford have to prove something before their trade value becomes significant. We "bought low" on them, we now have to develop them before "selling high". Same with Vesely, Mack and Singleton.

Be patient. If this team goes out and wins 35-40 games, people will take notice. Then we can consider consolidation.