Who do you like at SF?

[barelyawake]

I'd hold off on the SF. First, because their are so many good SFs in free agency next year, and no good options this year. Next, because their are better SFs available late in the draft next year, and I'm not impressed by those available for our draft positions this year. Only way I get a starting caliber SF this year is via trade or trading up in the draft. Otherwise, I'd go super cheap and tank again.

[willbcocks]

The sentiment from Utah fans on the Trade Board is that Utah will go ahead and pay the luxtax rather than trade the pick in order to dump Kirilenko. They'll only have to pay the tax once because Kirilenko's salary comes off the books next year.

I'm not sure I believe them though. If somebody offers Boozer a max contract, Utah will end up about $9M over the luxtax (while also having to dump Wesley Matthews). If they trade us Kirilenko + #10 for the #30, they will save about $29M after factoring the cost of Kirilnko's contract, the luxtax, the luxtax reimbursment, and the cost of paying the #10. Is Luke Babbitt plus a 1-year rental of Kirilenko worth $29M?

What makes this interesting is that Boozer won't be a free agent until after the draft.

This is where RealGM departs from reality. In reality, 30 million dollars means a bit more.

[Error Afflalo]

I I know I should be more realistic, but it's hard to get siced for any of those dudes when Melo might be out there next year.

[Kanyewest]

I think Brewer has a similar build to someone like Ariza...

And this is a roster I have on NBA Live..

10-11 season.. I know it is just a video game, but its plays out pretty similar to the real thing...

C- Magloire , Rasho, McGee
PF- Blatche, Singleton,
SF- Brewer, Howard, Thornton
SG- Young, Redd, Korver
PG- Arenas, Livingston, Boykins

I know this might not be specifically relevant to this topic, but it is relevant to how the Wizards could be rebuilt...

Maybe our concern is finding a solid C, more than finding a versatile SF..

My NBA 2K10 Roster is better going into the 2010-11 season.

C- Dwight Howard/McGee/Favors
PF- Landry/Favors/Cunningham
SF- Pietrus/Turner/James Anderson
SG- Young/Reddick/James Anderson/Turner
PG- Evan Turner/Hudson/Vasquez

Too bad vido games don't translate to the real life. I bet I could probably win a championship with the T-Wolves.

[Terpman]

If I'm our GM, it's keep Thornton there since I'm moving up from 35 & burning a little cap space to grab Paul George...I really think that guy is going to be THE perfect SF fit for the Wiz. Devin Ebanks is ok, but George is the right mesh between Gil and Blatche. Beautiful looking jump shot, long arms, & lots of hops. He's going to be play in a few AllStar games.

[Hoopalotta]

If I'm our GM, it's keep Thornton there since I'm moving up from 35 & burning a little cap space to grab Paul George...I really think that guy is going to be THE perfect SF fit for the Wiz. Devin Ebanks is ok, but George is the right mesh between Gil and Blatche. Beautiful looking jump shot, long arms, & lots of hops. He's going to be play in a few AllStar games.

Wow, I just hit the same thing on the draft thread.

Suffice to say I'm on board the train. Toot-toot.

[VictorPage44]

I think thornton would be alright. I wouldnt be upset if he was the starting SF going into next season, mostly because I dont really have any expectations going into next year (though I think the team could compete for a playoff spot if things go well).

I mentioned him earlier, but here's my case for Dorell Wright at SF-- I know most here probably didnt see much of him this season. I spent a good part of the year in south florida so I got to see Wright quite a bit. He came out of high school and didnt really settle in until this season. He's a surprisingly good playmaker and is a very good three point shooter (39% on 157 attempts). He seemingly sticks every open shot w/ shooting percentages of 53.6 eFG% and 56.7 TS%.

He plays a mature game. He passes well, doesnt force anything, and is commited to defense. His counterpart eFG% at the 3 spot is over eight points less than his eFG% according to 82games.com.

He's only 24 and he might be a little under the radar this year, especially with the guys on the market and other guys like Corey Brewer --who's been mentioned in this thread a few times-- available. I think he's worth around the MLE -- though if I were in the Wiz's position, I wouldnt commit to any contracts that big this offseason. I'd wait til next offseason so that we have a better understanding of what we actually have (How good is Wall? What does Arenas have left? Is Blatche for real? Is McGee of the final 20 games in any way indicative of what he'll turn out to be?). With that said, if Wright flies under the radar and can be had for around $4 million or even less, I'd be all over it. Dorell Wright can ball.

[pancakes3]

Babbitt
George
Thornton

in that order

[Terpman]

If I'm our GM, it's keep Thornton there since I'm moving up from 35 & burning a little cap space to grab Paul George...I really think that guy is going to be THE perfect SF fit for the Wiz. Devin Ebanks is ok, but George is the right mesh between Gil and Blatche. Beautiful looking jump shot, long arms, & lots of hops. He's going to be play in a few AllStar games.

Wow, I just hit the same thing on the draft thread.

Suffice to say I'm on board the train. Toot-toot.

Never question the brilliance of a man with a chimp in his avatar!
Seriously - Paul George is my favorite SF in this draft. Hands down.
With our other late pick we need HAMBURGER. This team has been soft in the middle for WAY too long. I like McGee at C, but Backup C/PF needs girth. I like DeMarcus Cousins, Dexter Pittman, and Keith Gallon - in that order.

[closg00]

Babbitt
George
Thornton

in that order

Babbitt & George both probably gone in the lotto.

[RickRoll_inDC]

I find it very unlikely that we could trade up to get back into the lotto to pick up Babbit or George. A 30+35 could maybe get up to about 18 or 20, but I don't think it's enough to get up to the lottery.

[verbal8]

I find it very unlikely that we could trade up to get back into the lotto to pick up Babbit or George. A 30+35 could maybe get up to about 18 or 20, but I don't think it's enough to get up to the lottery.

It probably takes a couple moves, but I taking on some deadweight contracts the Wizards should be able to get a pick in the 10-15 range. That would be my plan A.

But if the cost was too high or the top of the Wizards draft board gets picked early, I would be fine with just picking up another pick or 2. I think starting in the 20s picks should start being available for cash(or cash + 2nd). And there are always chances to buy 2nds. If the Wizards get 4 picks, I would like to see at least one foreign player picked and stashed.

[closg00]

Just say NO to Mike Miller.

28. MIKE MILLER, SG
Age: 30 | Height: 6-8
Experience: 10 years | '09-10 Team: Wizards
2009-10 Stats: 10.9 pt | 6.2 reb | 3.9 ast
Status: Unrestricted free agent

The Skinny: Miller changed his game completely in Minnesota in 2008-09. Most agree the change was for the worse: MiMi effectively stopped shooting, turning himself into a facilitating wing. The problem? Miller is one of his generation's best shooters, a career 40-percenter from three. His team needs him to shoot, shoot, shoot. Miller didn't revert to form in Washington, though; in fact, he got worst, shooting threes at a frequency lower than any other season in his NBA career. It's inexplicable, and a huge red flag for any team looking to sign Miller this summer.

Miller was already on the decline in Minny when they dumped him on us, please don't bring him back.

[hands11]

I have some concern with drafting a SF with a late first because unless that player is able to truely become a number one prime star SF then it is likely going to be a wasted pick longer term. What we need is a starting playoff quality SF. It may be better to go with a project big center with that pick who can provide us the strong body we need cheaply for the next 3-4 years. If we really want to draft a SF I think we need to trade up and get a great one. If not, we need to hope Josh works out for the next few years or find one via FA.

So

AT because he is signed to a value contract and he can start the season. He is a stop gap with some upside.

Josh as the vet in the wings if we can get him cheap for a year and see how the knee is. He is the only starting playoff calibor SF we have in our reach without us signing a FA or trading for one.

If we draft one late first round we should probably go for a defensive specialist because it's unlikely the 30th pick is going to draft you a star starting SF. That or don't draft SF and just go with AT, Howard and Singleton. I actually like this ideal for right now.

I think SF is a very importany position for a great team. We need our PP SF or our Kobe SG/SF

There is a point of view that says SF is more important to a great team than your PG. Look at Nash and CPs teams. They aren't making it to the finals.

I'm fine with us taking Wall but we have to find our SF star at some point and we critically need help at defensive center. So I'm in the sign Howard for a year and draft a center with the second first camp.

[Hoopalotta]

I find it very unlikely that we could trade up to get back into the lotto to pick up Babbit or George. A 30+35 could maybe get up to about 18 or 20, but I don't think it's enough to get up to the lottery.

It probably takes a couple moves, but I taking on some deadweight contracts the Wizards should be able to get a pick in the 10-15 range. That would be my plan A.

But if the cost was too high or the top of the Wizards draft board gets picked early, I would be fine with just picking up another pick or 2. I think starting in the 20s picks should start being available for cash(or cash + 2nd). And there are always chances to buy 2nds. If the Wizards get 4 picks, I would like to see at least one foreign player picked and stashed.

That sums it up for me as well, and especially about the probable need for a two pronged strategy to get to the lottery. If we can get to the mid round, we have a fair chance of getting to the late lottery with a team that wants to trade back. That would mean that we'd have to be entirely willing to forgo our ability to make an offer to LeBron or what have you.

And yeah, if not that then picks in the 20's. It's not as sexy for draft night, but the end results could be depending on our savvy.

[barelyawake]

1) This is a big man heavy draft.
2) We need a good defensive big.
3) Sf is the easiest position to fill.
4) Bigs take longer to develop, thus the sooner we draft one the better.
5) Next year isn't shaping up to be a big man heavy draft.
6) There is almost always a SF steal in the late first round (just not this year).

Conclusion: if we trade up, it ought to be for a big.

[AdamIsSoBaked]

[AceDegenerate]

[likwitdesi]

Thornton is the guy with the potential to become an all-NBA defender, which is what we need if we want to make this a championship team.

[WizarDynasty]

Thornton and defense should never be mentioned in the same sentence. Undersized with poor agility is a lethal combination.