Wiz Sign Josh Howard

[Rafael122]

Barring the new CBA lowering the cap by a significant amount, we still have cap room to sign him. We're at $39 million for next season, and the cap for this year was $58 million.

[Wizardspride]

I personally, would have much prefered give the money to Matt Barnes over maybe a 3 year deal

Signing anyone to a long term deal would take us out of the running for Carmelo.

Assuming he would even consider us....

Yeah, I never bought Carmelo coming here at all, show me any reason to believe that and I would've thought differently but it's just like NJ hoping for LeBron it never was going to happen.

I don't know if we have a realistic shot at Carmelo but I do know this: Its in our best interest to try and win this year to show Carmelo that we have a bright future.

[Ruzious]

Barring the new CBA lowering the cap by a significant amount, we still have cap room to sign him. We're at $39 million for next season, and the cap for this year was $58 million.

Nate's chart on the 3rd page of this thread projects 15 mil in cap space, but that's just with 7 players and a 1st round pick signed.

[301baller]

I don't understand why all the pessimism. Why is Carmelo to the Wiz "not going to happen"? If Melo leaves, I see him either coming here or going to NY. If I was Melo here are the advantages of going to each city.

New York:
Better city for a rich person to live in.
The team has more "history" (the team with the most overrated "history" ever).

Wizards:
Better team with brighter future.
Close to his hometown.
Have a bigger hole at SF with New York seemingly investing in Gallo/Chandler.

Given Melo leaves, I would say it's a toss up between New York and Washington.

It's not pessimism it's reality. I'm being realistic and not assuming that every free agent wants to come here

What leads you to believe he's coming here? Have you heard any reports of that being a possibility? Has he thrown any hints at that? Has he even mentioned John Wall's name?

I think after this Lebron situation has shown the world that to players WINNING or the chance to win is more important than being close to home. These guys make enough money that they can charter planes and fly home whenever they want.

A) I'm no Melo expert but I thought he was from B'More?
B) Possibly
C) See A
D) John Wall
E) Don't see them landing him. If they do, obviously that puts them over the top in terms of landing Melo.
F) Why not? If Ted stubbornly refuses to bring in other teams stars (I don't recall him saying or hinting that by the way, but other posters in this thread have mentioned it) that is a BAD GM'ing STRATEGY. The roster as is is not enough to become Championship contenders nor are they bad enough to get impact players in the draft.
G) Possibly

A- Melo was born in Brooklyn and moved to Baltimore when he was 8. sure he spent time in Baltimore but went to college in syracuse, played at MSG and love it. plus, don't sleep on the fact that Lala wants to be in NY and he's still got family there. Not only that, MSG is undergoing an $800 million renovation

E- technically they don' t need him if raymond felton has a good year. However it is a known fact that the Knicks and Orlando are at the top of the list of teams he wants to play for. he's said that. there are multiple reports of that as well as the well publicized comments at Melo's wedding saying him and Melo should join Amare and set up their own Big 3.

F- Ted has said repeatedly that they're building through the draft. He said he's gonna do with this team what he did with the Caps. do the Caps chase big name high priced free agents?

[DCZards]

The knicks are starting to draft players, they're pretty high on Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas. Toney Douglas is on the rise and Gallinari is a beast.

The Knicks may be high on the players they've drafted but very few other NBA people are. In fact, I hear they are trying to trade Chandler. Gallinari "a beast"? On what planet? He's a good player but mostly a one-dimensional three-point shooter. Certainly nobody's "beast."

As far as Melo being from NY. Yeah, he was born in Brooklyn, but then again so was Michael Jordan. Carmelo grew up in B'More, which is what he considers his hometown. Just as MJ identifies with NC and not NY.

And, you're right, Melo's wife would like to be in NYC for career purposes. I wouldn't consider that a major obstacle. A lot of people commute from DC to NYC everyday. DC is certainly a lot closer to NYC than Denver.

I wouldn't rule out for a minute the possibility of Melo ending up in a Zards uni.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

2 things. first, the wiz aren't making the playoffs so you all can't get off that horse. the team just isn't talented enough and their bench is nothing.

second, howard tore his acl in february. that's typically a 9-12 month recovery, so he won't be playing until december at the earliest.

An ACL tear can take as little as four months for recovery with 10 being the typical long end.

Most recover in the six to seven month range.

[301baller]

Yeah, I never bought Carmelo coming here at all, show me any reason to believe that and I would've thought differently but it's just like NJ hoping for LeBron it never was going to happen.

I don't know if we have a realistic shot at Carmelo but I do know this: Its in our best interest to try and win this year to show Carmelo that we have a bright future.

denver would prefer to trade him rather than losing him to free agency. so what are you willing to give to get him?
we'd definitely have to give up gil and his salary, but what else? gil, nick young and mcgee?
would you be willing to make that trade?

[Rafael122]

Barring the new CBA lowering the cap by a significant amount, we still have cap room to sign him. We're at $39 million for next season, and the cap for this year was $58 million.

Nate's chart on the 3rd page of this thread projects 15 mil in cap space, but that's just with 7 players and a 1st round pick signed.

Hoops Hype as it at $37.6 million for next year. If we were to add Seraphin's salary, it's probably up to $39 mil or so...I dunno, we'll see. I think we have enough cap room for a max guy. It's 2012 and beyond where we probably don't have a chance atlanding anyone with Blatche's contract being up.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Wasn't the exact same thing said the last two years about Lebron? Does NYK not even draft and develop their own players anymore or do they just hope someone else's stars will sign with them because they want to live in NY?

the difference is Lebron hinted at playing in NY, wears Yankees hats and is always talking about how he loves playing at Madison Square Garden. Has Carmelo EVER hinted at wanting to play here? How do the wizards clear up enough cap space to pay him and Gil assuming Gil isn't traded? Or are you suggesting that the wizards trade Gil and some other pieces to Denver for Carmelo?

The knicks are starting to draft players, they're pretty high on Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas. Toney Douglas is on the rise and Gallinari is a beast.

Hmm, if the NBA were the animal kingdom, what kind of beast would Gallinari be?

A lemur? A giant panda?

Perhaps a skunk... Shoots from distance with some accuracy, but generally stinks.

[REDardWIZskin]

^^ Good analogy

I dunno i think Ted would reconsider when you think of the earnings possibility.

We would probably have a top 5 avg Fan attendance and a possibility to have 2 players with top 10 Jersey sales. National tv appearances would double and so would our fanbase really.

We would practically be known as the BW parkway wizards.

ok thats a stretch but even having this convo is a stretch. so who cares. Its fun to dream

[Jericho]

There was a several year period where people (at least some of them) talked about how likely it was that LeBron would go to New York. This went on and on despite factual evidence to the contrary. Now that it hasn't happened, is the same going to be going on with Carmelo and Paul? Is it an unwritten rule that some star must be linked to New York in some fashion?

[verbal8]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

[Wizardspride]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

If the Arenas/Wall/Blatche trio plays as well as I think they will...it might just be the lure we need.

[verbal8]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

If the Arenas/Wall/Blatche trio plays as well as I think they will...it might just be the lure we need.

My thought is that if Arenas/Wall/Blatche is clicking, then McGee and Howard(and/or Thornton) are probably looking pretty good as well. This means the package for Anthony looks pretty good, but there is still enough talent to be attractive to him.

However I think in a free agent situation the Wizards end up like the Bulls(the best team with cap space) and end up with a second tier free agent(or it might be two very good vet role players on short deals).

[Wizardspride]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

If the Arenas/Wall/Blatche trio plays as well as I think they will...it might just be the lure we need.

My thought is that if Arenas/Wall/Blatche is clicking, then McGee and Howard(and/or Thornton) are probably looking pretty good as well. This means the package for Anthony looks pretty good, but there is still enough talent to be attractive to him.

However I think in a free agent situation the Wizards end up like the Bulls(the best team with cap space) and end up with a second tier free agent(or it might be two very good vet role players on short deals).

In an idea world, we just sign Carmelo outright without giving up any talent.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

F- Ted has said repeatedly that they're building through the draft. He said he's gonna do with this team what he did with the Caps. do the Caps chase big name high priced free agents?

Maybe it's just me, but saying "I'm building through the draft" isn't the same as "I'm not going to go after top free agents". If this is the case, however, this is a TERRIBLE basketball strategy. We'll become a team stuck in mediocrity if we don't go after other teams stars (whether it be through trades or free agency). This mindset has me very worried for where the ceiling of this team will be.

What leads you to believe he's coming here? Have you heard any reports of that being a possibility? Has he thrown any hints at that? Has he even mentioned John Wall's name?

I trust my gut feelings more than some of these "reports" that have come out recently. During this summer it was reported that Lebron was definitely going to 4 different teams. Melo hasn't said anything, but most free agents who are under contracts with other teams don't. Lebron isn't the norm.

I think after this Lebron situation has shown the world that to players WINNING or the chance to win is more important than being close to home. These guys make enough money that they can charter planes and fly home whenever they want.

Good point. I would just think that a guy would want to play for his hometown team. Do people in Baltimore identify with the Wizards? I honestly don't know.

At the end of the day, I want Melo in a Wizards uniform. Assuming we have room for a max contract, which is certainly not a given with the new CBA and all the unknowns that go with that, I think we have a good shot at landing him. Now, we shouldn't be trading lottery pick rookies to clear up cap space like the Knicks or hesitate to make other trades that put is into Championship contention.

[hands11]

I gotta say thank goodness it's only a one year deal.

But IMO, Ernie just threw away another $4 mil with this signing.

Who wants to bet Howard won't be ready until the all star break? And even when he does get back on the court, how long wlll it take to shake the rust off and regain his athleticism? And how long will it take before he gets hurt again?

If Howard plays in half of the 82 games next year, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

We still have a gaping hole at SF for at least the 1st half of the year. Hopefully we'll still re-sign Cartier Martin or some NBDL all-star to help fill that vacancy.

This is actually perfect. We have talent at every position both young and vet ( except center ) and we even have some dry power for later. This just gives us more flexibility for the trade deadline. We start the season trying line ups and bringing along our new/young players. Nick has he chance to show something at SG and SF, then we roll a vet into the mix while you get ready for the playoffs and trade in deals. Perfect. Everyone gets a fair chance to prove themselves and this gives us the best change to raise everyones stock before we decide who we move.

start with

Wall/Kirk
Gil/NY
AT/Booker ( J Howard later )
Dray/Yi
McGee, Seraphin, Armstrong

That's 11 with Howard as 12 later and we still have the flexibility to someone like Singleton or a shooter. I would still go with Singleton. He is a vet, tough, team guy, was here last year, solid looker room presence, defense, rebounder and won't demand minutes, who can play touch as SF or PF where we still made need help defensively. This gives us more flexibility regarding Booker if he isn't ready.

Finally a roster where when I look at it there isn't one player who I'm begging we get ride of cuz they suck, have no upside or are in no way worth there $$. Only longer term issue contract is Gil. There are no DSleezy, Mike James players. No how are we going to bump Etan contracts. Only Gil who I think can still produce at a high level.

I couldn't be happier.

At this point in the game I live the roster as configured an A

[hands11]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

If the Arenas/Wall/Blatche trio plays as well as I think they will...it might just be the lure we need.

Exactly. This is what some of us where saying regarding keeping Gil to start the season. Go out there and win. Get DC back on the map with the new front office. Then we are in the bidding for top talent if we want to sign them.

This is the new day. It started by getting a new owner. This is the rebuild. That other thing was us just pulling over to the side of the pool so we weren't drowning for a moment. It was never going to get us past a playoff entry with that owner and that coach. Now we can really believe we have a future in this league.

This is also what puts us on the map to get a star SF/SG/PG or SG/SF/PG in their prime, which you need to win it all. This was a target I though we needed to have for several year. Everything in falling into place nicely. Melo was the guy I felt we should target. Wade was second.

All you can do is give your team the best change to make the right moves when you need to and this team is designed that way. I totally approve.

[Wizardspride]

I think the Wizards have a decent shot at being a trade partner if the Nuggets trade Anthony rather than lose him for nothing. However I don't know that the Wizards really have any special advantage in luring him as a free agent.

If the Arenas/Wall/Blatche trio plays as well as I think they will...it might just be the lure we need.

Exactly. This is what some of us where saying regarding keeping Gil to start the season. Go out there and win. Get DC back on the map with the new front office. Then we are in the bidding for top talent if we want to sign them.

This is the new day. It started by getting a new owner. This is the rebuild. That other thing was us just pulling over to the side of the pool so we weren't drowning for a moment. It was never going to get us past a playoff entry with that owner and that coach. Now we can really believe we have a future in this league.

This is also what puts us on the map to get a star SF/SG/PG or SG/SF/PG in their prime, which you need to win it all. This was a target I though we needed to have for several year. Everything in falling into place nicely. Melo was the guy I felt we should target. Wade was second.

All you can do is give your team the best change to make the right moves when you need to and this team is designed that way. I totally approve.

[DCZards]

That's 11 with Howard as 12 later and we still have the flexibility to someone like Singleton or a shooter. I would still go with Singleton. He is a vet, tough, team guy, was here last year, solid looker room presence, defense, rebounder and won't demand minutes, who can play touch as SF or PF where we still made need help defensively. This gives us more flexibility regarding Booker if he isn't ready.

I'm totally with you on Singleton---for all the reasons you point out. I'm surprised we haven't heard anything regarding his status with the ards for next season. I also see him as the kind of glue guy and vet that could really help this team, especially when one of the young guys is struggling.