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1. Ray Allen is not out of the picture. He still hasn't given an answer about his intention to play again, but two people on separate sides of the matter have said the Wizards have made "routine" contact -- using this exact word -- since first expressing their interest in July. Until Allen says, "I'm retired" or "No thanks," the Wizards will continue to chase him. The reason: Even though they have shooters in Martell Webster and Rasual Butler coming off the bench, they're natural small forwards. Allen is a natural to backup shooting guard Bradley Beal. Currently, Otto Porter logs a lot of time there when he shares the floor with Butler, who relieves Paul Pierce. It still sounds like a long-shot but if this were to happen, Porter or Webster would lose the playing time.

2. Players now can be brought in on 10-day contracts. This essentially is a tryout, a short-term commitment, at minimal cost and could result in uncovering a gem.

3. Khem Birch or Damion James could return. Could be a 10-day deal or for the rest of the season. Yes, the Wizards have been closely monitoring them while they play in the D-League. Birch, who played for the Wizards at Las Vegas summer league and was a standout, declined a training camp invite and opted to join the Miami Heat's camp. Birch is offensively limited, but he's a 6-9 center with a 7-1 wingspan, a nimble kind of rim protector who can run the floor and finish on the break which would make him unique on a roster already loaded with bigs. Birch was one of the final cuts by the Heat and has been playing for the Heat's D-League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He doesn't have a contract with the Heat so he can sign with any NBA team that makes him an offer. James, a 6-7 guard/forward, is in the same situation with the Texas Legends, a Dallas Mavericks affiliate.

4. Brandan Wright is available. Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge has informed the 6-10 center that he's on the block and should expect to be on another team. That's why Wright had a head-scratching DNP this week on a team that could use his skill set. The Wizards would have to execute a trade to bring him on board and he has an expiring contract that pays $5 million. Given Boston's point-guard situation -- traded Rajon Rondo and now Marcus Smart is learning the job and Evan Turner isn't a natural at distributing -- they believe that Wright doesn't fit despite 72.4% field-goal shooting. Wright running the floor with John Wall or in the half-court with Andre Miller? Still not likely, but it would make for a fantastic highlight reel. A big who can step out to slow down the pick-and-roll like Wright's old teammate, Tyson Chandler of the Mavericks, and recover to shade the rim is invaluable. The Wizards would have to match salary but players of this caliber aren't expected to be available because the demand far outweighs the supply.

5. If Jameer Nelson gets bought of his contract, he could end up in a Wizards uniform. Nelson was part of the deal for Rondo that sent him from Dallas to Boston. The Wizards will be in hot pursuit because he's experienced and the type of combo guard they covet most for the open roster spot. This is the most likely of all the scenarios. Nelson is expected to negotiate a buyout. He would be on a pro-rated salary which would be a minimal cost to the Wizards, he'd come off the books after the season and it allows the veteran a chance to go deep into the playoffs for the first time in a while. And the playing time is there behind Beal (see item No. 1 on Allen). He simply has to be on the Wizards' roster by March 1, the deadline to be eligible for the postseason, and want to come here. If Nelson is bought out and doesn't end up in D.C., it won't be from lack of effort on this end.

Severn Hoos wrote:I really liked Birch in Summer League, with all the applicable caveats that it was Summer League. He wasn't exactly the model of consistency, but what he did, he did well. I'd be very glad if they brought him back.

I'd be OK with Jameer. I know it may sound foolish to some here, but we are a Finals contender. Think about it - the Cavs are in mini-meltdown and look less like the juggernaut that everyone assumed they were. The Hawks are in 1st place in the East! The Hawks!

The Raptors might be coming back to earth, and even if not - are you worried about seeing them in the playoffs? After all, we have the guy who ended their season last year.

The Bulls are the apparent favorite, and we have a good track record there and match up well.

I know, not supposed to talk about things like this, but there is a legitimate shot to make the Finals, and I wouldn't blame the FO for doing what they could to try and make it happen. And with that in mind, if you're in the ECF and need to look down the bench to put in a sub for 5 minutes of Game 6 or 7, are you looking for Jameer Nelson or Nate Wolters? I think you know the answer to that one.

Sure, I'd love to see more forward thinking, but then I also remember the Nats' caution with Strasburg when they were legitimate favorites to make - or possibly win - the World Series. Now, 2 years later, they haven't gotten any closer than they were that season. Windows are short and you never know when the next one will open or the current one will close.

Besides, don't we have 2 potentially open spots right now? Why not Birch and Nelson? I know they like to keep the 15th spot open, but that can be dealth with later if they need to add someone, by releasing a Gooden or Birch or Nelson or even Blair, if the right deal comes along.

nate33 wrote:We're not going to get Wright because we can't fit him under the luxtax unless we send out Webster. I highly doubt Boston wants Webster. I suppose we could send out Seraphin plus Blair, but again, why would Boston do this? Boston probably wants a pick. I wouldn't trade a pick for a half-year rental.

I think J.Michael is right about Jameer Nelson. If he is available, he makes the most sense. He's another ball handler that the team desperately needs, and he's a guy who can really run the pick and roll and be a threat to hit the 3-pointer. And if all he costs is a pro-rated vet minimum, why not?

I love the idea of going a young D-League PG like Stockton or Frazier with the notion of grooming him to be the future backup PG, but I don't know enough about them to be sure they have the necessary talent. We all love to point at young guys with eye-popping D-League numbers and conclude that they're the next great thing, but the fact is, usually these guys don't pan out.

Severn Hoos wrote:I really liked Birch in Summer League, with all the applicable caveats that it was Summer League. He wasn't exactly the model of consistency, but what he did, he did well. I'd be very glad if they brought him back.

I'd be OK with Jameer. I know it may sound foolish to some here, but we are a Finals contender. Think about it - the Cavs are in mini-meltdown and look less like the juggernaut that everyone assumed they were. The Hawks are in 1st place in the East! The Hawks!

The Raptors might be coming back to earth, and even if not - are you worried about seeing them in the playoffs? After all, we have the guy who ended their season last year.

The Bulls are the apparent favorite, and we have a good track record there and match up well.

I know, not supposed to talk about things like this, but there is a legitimate shot to make the Finals, and I wouldn't blame the FO for doing what they could to try and make it happen. And with that in mind, if you're in the ECF and need to look down the bench to put in a sub for 5 minutes of Game 6 or 7, are you looking for Jameer Nelson or Nate Wolters? I think you know the answer to that one.

Sure, I'd love to see more forward thinking, but then I also remember the Nats' caution with Strasburg when they were legitimate favorites to make - or possibly win - the World Series. Now, 2 years later, they haven't gotten any closer than they were that season. Windows are short and you never know when the next one will open or the current one will close.

Besides, don't we have 2 potentially open spots right now? Why not Birch and Nelson? I know they like to keep the 15th spot open, but that can be dealth with later if they need to add someone, by releasing a Gooden or Birch or Nelson or even Blair, if the right deal comes along.

nate33 wrote:We're not going to get Wright because we can't fit him under the luxtax unless we send out Webster. I highly doubt Boston wants Webster. I suppose we could send out Seraphin plus Blair, but again, why would Boston do this? Boston probably wants a pick. I wouldn't trade a pick for a half-year rental.

I think J.Michael is right about Jameer Nelson. If he is available, he makes the most sense. He's another ball handler that the team desperately needs, and he's a guy who can really run the pick and roll and be a threat to hit the 3-pointer. And if all he costs is a pro-rated vet minimum, why not?

I love the idea of going a young D-League PG like Stockton or Frazier with the notion of grooming him to be the future backup PG, but I don't know enough about them to be sure they have the necessary talent. We all love to point at young guys with eye-popping D-League numbers and conclude that they're the next great thing, but the fact is, usually these guys don't pan out.