What Should the Wizards Should Do with the 5th Pick?

[Ruzious]

I'm sorry but you cannot trade this pick for a +30 shooting guard. You also cannot trade this pick just to dump contracts. This is the 5th pick, not the 15th and I didn't know this team was good enough to throw away valuable assets.

Trade the pick?? Vince Carter?? He's 32 and will be 33 in the middle of next season. Michael Redd?? He'll be 30 this season coming off of an acl injury.... Didn't we learn from the Mitch Richmond fiasco.

To me the choice here comes down to two players. Tyreke Evand or Harden. We have not had a starting 2 guard since Larry Hughes left and we've also been missing another key element to the team. When Hughes and Arenas were together it gave Arenas somebody that could share the ball handling duties and he also was able to drive & dish or create his own shot. We don't have thate right now at the 2 guard. Nick Young is more suited for a 6th man scorign role but doesn't seem like a 35-40 minute/ game player. Tyreke or Harden both could bring that element immediately to this team and I think that's our most immediate need.

If we do decide to trade, we need to trade for a young player who can give us 5-7 productive years, not 2-3 years. One player I would inquire about is Monta Ellis. If you could pry him from Golden State using our pick, Blatche, and some expiring contracts as bait I would do that in a heartbeat....But forgot the players on the decline. We need this pick or a young player for this pick because this asset as well as Arenas, McGee etc..are the future after Jamison and Butler move on....

I agree on the 1st 2 paragraphs. That would most likely be revisiting the Mitch Rich trade. Ya don't make trades like that unless you know you're a 2 away from a championship - and we're not. So you end up mortgaging the future... as this franchise has done so many times in the past... and paid for it every time. We're not a Bobby Dandridge away.

The best thing about Evans and Harden is that they value to teams that may want to trade up. Evans is great for a rebuilding team, and Harden works for a team that wants instant production.

I'm torn. I see 3 things (Yogiism) the team needs to fix - defensive rebounding, team speed, defense, and shooting. I don't think we can fix all of those problems this season. My preference remains drafting Lawson and Green. Unfortunately, that doesn't address the defensive rebounding problem. So do you draft Hill if he's available? He does fill the need for a rebounder and defensive effort guy up front - in the Dale Davis mold. And trading down for Blair is also an option. Blair and Green would be good complementary players on this team.

What I think will happen - they draft Harden - because he can step in as a rookie and start. And they trade the 2nd round pick for a future pick. And that's just not good enough, imo.

[Rafael122]

I got to admit, I'm intrigued by Evans. Dat - what's your quick scouting report on him again?

I bet we could use Evans in the Rodney Stuckey role, maybe guard the bigger guards and let a guy like Critter handle the passing.

Would you guys do Butler + Etan + #5 for Bosh? It's tempting. You stick Bosh there with Haywood and they will make up for Jamison's defensive ineptness. Not to mention we'd actually have a low post scorer. It'd suck to trade Butler away, but...that deal is too tempting, and Bosh is only 25.

[LyricalRico]

Salmons isn't in Chicago's long term plans anyhow. They're going to have to let him walk in 2010 if they want to make a move in free agency.

Not sure about this, nate. I think Salmons proved that he had great chemistry with Rose and they also don't know what's going to happen with Ben Gordon. And even if you keep Gordon, at worst Salmons becomes a 6th man of the year candidate play 2 or even 3 positions off the bench for them.

If I'm CHI, I don't move Salmons until later in the summer, if at all. I'd much rather trade Hinrich. And if I'm the WIzards, I'd rather have Harden or Curry than Nick Young for maturity reasons. That's why I've been proposing this:

Wiz trade: Blatche, Young, Pech, and DeBrick (maybe include our second round pick)
Bulls trade: Kirk Hinrich and #16

This doesn't have any short term luxury tax impact and it allows us to still use the #5. It also solves most of the old vs young locker room issues. At #16 we take the BPA and call it an offseason.

[newslowsad]

I don't even know what to say after last night.

[closg00]

I have moved beyond the 5 stages: Disbelief, Anger, acceptance etc. I believe that Ernie will select Harden, and try to move Etan & James later. Harden will be the kick-out guy this team has needed so-badly. We still need a PF upgrade to get out of the first round though.

Just in-case there is a trade-down, how do peeps feel about James Johnson? He's a guy that is creeping up the charts and could be a fine player for us at PF, we shouldn't overlook this guy.

[Rapsobsessed7]

what from the raptors outside of bosh, bargnani and probably Jose would get the raptors the #5. We have the #9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill) and you have the #5 (Harden) who fits perfectly with the raptors. What if we offered you:

#9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill
3 million cash to buy a pick (Dejuan Blair, Lawai)

for

#5(Harden)

[MJG]

I'd be borderline surprised if the team doesn't wind up dealing the pick for a step-below-all-star SG like a Hamilton, Redd, or Richardson. Something like Pick + Expirings (James, Etan) + 2 Years (Songaila, Stevenson) + OPec. But man, that kind of deal is depressing - we may as well pen in 50 wins, 4th seed, second round bounce for the next two or three years. It's like upgrading the team of the past half decade from 1.0 to 1.1; technically better, but not even remotely exciting.

I'd much rather just keep the pick and draft whatever guy the team thinks is the best player left. You know Griffin, Rubio, and Thabeet will be gone, so we more or less have the second pick in a draft of everyone else. Maybe Curry, Evans, or Harden never give us the production that we could have gotten out of a vet, but at least there's some hope there. I mean, look at McGee - almost nobody was truly excited to add him to our team last year, and now many of us think he could be a stud with a couple years more experience. There's no reason that can't happen again. Not saying it definitely does, but I take the chance.

I picked Curry in the poll, but really, any back court player is okay by me. As long as it's not a trade for an overpaid, third-tier SG, my thumb is going to be up.

[Benjammin]

I have moved beyond the 5 stages: Disbelief, Anger, acceptance etc. I believe that Ernie will select Harden, and try to move Etan & James later. Harden will be the kick-out guy this team has needed so-badly. We still need a PF upgrade to get out of the first round though.

Just in-case there is a trade-down, how do peeps feel about James Johnson? He's a guy that is creeping up the charts and could be a fine player for us at PF, we shouldn't overlook this guy.

Yeah, I don't think I've worked through the five stages yet.

I came home just as the top 3 picks were being shown, so I was in serious denial although I could see we were screwed. That emotion quickly turned to anger as I saw the no-account tanking dogs Clippers get the first pick. I stayed with that anger for awhile. Then I moved to bargaining as I looked on the boards for a silver lining and perhaps a deal that could salvage this disaster. I didn't stay in that stage very long. I then moved to depression as my hope was extinguished. I am still in that stage, although acceptance will come as I say to myself over and over, my name is Ben and I'm a Bullets fan. Hi Ben.

[Ji]

i couldnt sleep last night. It felt like a death in the family

[closg00]

I have moved beyond the 5 stages: Disbelief, Anger, acceptance etc. I believe that Ernie will select Harden, and try to move Etan & James later. Harden will be the kick-out guy this team has needed so-badly. We still need a PF upgrade to get out of the first round though.

Just in-case there is a trade-down, how do peeps feel about James Johnson? He's a guy that is creeping up the charts and could be a fine player for us at PF, we shouldn't overlook this guy.

Yeah, I don't think I've worked through the five stages yet.

I came home just as the top 3 picks were being shown, so I was in serious denial although I could see we were screwed. That emotion quickly turned to anger as I saw the no-account tanking dogs Clippers get the first pick. I stayed with that anger for awhile. Then I moved to bargaining as I looked on the boards for a silver lining and perhaps a deal that could salvage this disaster. I didn't stay in that stage very long. I then moved to depression as my hope was extinguished. I am still in that stage, although acceptance will come as I say to myself over and over, my name is Ben and I'm a Bullets fan. Hi Ben.

Truthfully, I am still in the end stages of the depression phase. This morning, I still felt as-if a good friend had died. It helps when you realize that we could possibly get a big-steal/breakout player at 5 that could help us next year.

[Ji]

I think Stephan Curry is the best choice here

1) We need fire power/3 point shooting. He is a legit scorer and create his own shot. He also has pt guard skills
2) He is still growing
3) His DNA
4) He proved in the NCAA tournies he could dominate against big time talent
5) He has ice in his vein
6) Forget us ever becoming a good defensive team...we just need to outscore people
7) Instant impact

[Soup's Uncle]

Jordan Hill reminds me of Etan Thomas. If we pick him it'll be bad. Dude won't be good for years (if ever).

I voted to trade the pick. Hopefully Ernie does something creative with the pick and the expirings.

[nate33]

Wiz trade: Blatche, Young, Pech, and DeBrick (maybe include our second round pick)
Bulls trade: Kirk Hinrich and #16

Rico, you've posted this several times. It's an absolutely terrible trade. I'm driving the Hinrich bandwagon and even I wouldn't give up Blatche and Young for him. Hinrich is owed $9.5M next year. His value just isn't that high at that price. We can probably get him for Mike James, Pecherov and a future 1st.

I realize you hate Blatche and want to dump him, but the kid has legit trade value given his age, talent and contract. Don't squander it.

[Ji]

I am beginning to lose Faith in Ernie because he really does think this team can contend for a title. Thats the first sign that the man is losing it

[Ced67]

I think Stephan Curry is the best choice here

1) We need fire power/3 point shooting. He is a legit scorer and create his own shot. He also has pt guard skills
2) He is still growing
3) His DNA
4) He proved in the NCAA tournies he could dominate against big time talent
5) He has ice in his vein
6) Forget us ever becoming a good defensive team...we just need to outscore people
7) Instant impact

With the fact that you qualified it with that I have no problem with doing it now. Its not like we're gonna become a great defensive team anyway. I guess the best strategy is trying to outscore teams although its only gonna lead to 40-45 wins, and getting beat up by better defensive teams in the first round of the playoffs. But with the cap situation being what it is and the front office insanely thinking that this team, when healthy can compete for a title, what can they do. Im personally looking forward to blowing it up next offseason.

[Ruzious]

I have moved beyond the 5 stages: Disbelief, Anger, acceptance etc. I believe that Ernie will select Harden, and try to move Etan & James later. Harden will be the kick-out guy this team has needed so-badly. We still need a PF upgrade to get out of the first round though.

Just in-case there is a trade-down, how do peeps feel about James Johnson? He's a guy that is creeping up the charts and could be a fine player for us at PF, we shouldn't overlook this guy.

I like Johnson a lot, but I don't think he's a good fit here. He's a tweener forward - reminds me of a young Harrington. His ultimate position ideally is the 3, but only if his outside shot improves - he throws up a lot of bricks. A lot depends on how he measures. I think he's only 6'8 - but longer than people expect. If he's long enough, maybe he can project into a West type of PF. But I don't see him helping much in the 4 categories I see us needing to improve in - defensive rebounding (if he plays the 4), outside shooting, defense, and speed.

[dobrojim]

Wiz trade: Blatche, Young, Pech, and DeBrick (maybe include our second round pick)
Bulls trade: Kirk Hinrich and #16

Rico, you've posted this several times. It's an absolutely terrible trade. I'm driving the Hinrich bandwagon and even I wouldn't give up Blatche and Young for him. Hinrich is owed $9.5M next year. His value just isn't that high at that price. We can probably get him for Mike James, Pecherov and a future 1st.

I realize you hate Blatche and want to dump him, but the kid has legit trade value given his age, talent and contract. Don't squander it.

I don't get the Hinrich love at all. I just don't see him as being all
that good. He's not awful, but esp at $9.5 M, I'm not getting it.
I'd rather take a flier on Lawson/Curry/Evans. Or DeRozan.

Dwayne Wade and KG were both #5s.

[Notorious_1]

So I rush home to watch the Draft Lottery that I had to record, only to see we get the worst possible pick we could get....I was pissed, hurt, depressed, and a whole bunch of other emotions. But what can I say..we're the Wizards..we have no luck.

Now what to do with the pick? I feel if we can bring in Bosh or Amare then of course we do it. If not try and trade back...maybe get rid of a bad contract and take the BPA. How about something like this

Trade the 5th pick(Harden)/Stevenson to the Raptors for 9th Pick (Blair)

then use the 2nd round pick on a Sam Young, Danny Green, or Darren Collison

We get the big rebounding monster in Blair to help us down low and we get a good defensive guard to compliment the starting lineup. And on top of that we get rid of a roster spot for the second round pick and possibly save a lil money.

I don't know, I ususally just listen to your ideas...I'm not a cap guru so let me know what u think.

[nate33]

what from the raptors outside of bosh, bargnani and probably Jose would get the raptors the #5. We have the #9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill) and you have the #5 (Harden) who fits perfectly with the raptors. What if we offered you:

#9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill
3 million cash to buy a pick (Dejuan Blair, Lawai)

for

#5(Harden)

I think there is potential to make a #9 for #5 swap, but Toronto would have to give up a little more than $3M cash.

#5 + Stevenson for #9 could work.

That saves the Wizards $3.8M and $4.1M in the next two years respectively, plus they save $800K by paying the lower salary of the #9 pick. Factoring the luxury tax, the total savings would be $19M over two years. Heck, the Wizards would probably give Toronto $3M cash to cover most of Stevenson's 2009 salary. Basically, Toronto would be paying $4.9M to move up 4 slots in the draft while also acquiring a serviceable SG for 2 years.

[Notorious_1]

what from the raptors outside of bosh, bargnani and probably Jose would get the raptors the #5. We have the #9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill) and you have the #5 (Harden) who fits perfectly with the raptors. What if we offered you:

#9 (Derozan, Evans, Jennings, Hill
3 million cash to buy a pick (Dejuan Blair, Lawai)

for

#5(Harden)

I think there is potential to make a #9 for #5 swap, but Toronto would have to give up a little more than $3M cash.

#5 + Stevenson for #9 could work.

That saves the Wizards $3.8M and $4.1M in the next two years respectively, plus they save $800K by paying the lower salary of the #9 pick. Factoring the luxury tax, the total savings would be $19M over two years. Heck, the Wizards would probably give Toronto $3M cash to cover most of Stevenson's 2009 salary. Basically, Toronto would be paying $4.9M to move up 4 slots in the draft while also acquiring a serviceable SG for 2 years.

We thinking the same here.