2024 Offseason

[closg00]

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[closg00]

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There is a shortage of PF’s in this draft, for consideration with Gil off the books.

[nate33]

There's not much point in discussing free agency until we see how the draft pans out. So much is going to change in the next few weeks. We will add at least two guys in the draft who will presumably be in the rotation. There's a good chance that Kuzma is traded, which is likely to bring back another contract and presumably a pick. We need to know who all these new people are before we worry about free agency to fill any holes.

For now, our guaranteed contracts look like this:

PG Poole, Butler
SG Kispert, Davis
SF Bilal
PF Deni, Kuzma, PBJ
C Bagley, Holmes, Vukcevic

Champagnie was signed to a two-way contract for 2 years, but I can't tell if it's guaranteed.
Omoruyi is signed to a non-guaranteed contract for 1 more year.
Shamet is signed to a non-guaranteed contract for 2 more years.

[dobrojim]

I wonder what the chances are of Butler making a leap from a serviceable-ish
player to something more akin to a key bench player. He has shown signs of
ability. The guy I'm even more hopeful about is Vukcevic given his size and
shooting prowess. That said, being a lifetime Wiz fan means I've learned not
to hold my breath waiting for amazing things to happen.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

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There is a shortage of PF’s in this draft, for consideration with Gil off the books.

Jalen Smith is banking on himself.

I think he's going to lose money, but if he signs a 1-year deal, he's going be a breakthrough player next season.

Sent from my SM-A146U using RealGM mobile app

[dckingsfan]

There's not much point in discussing free agency until we see how the draft pans out. So much is going to change in the next few weeks. We will add at least two guys in the draft who will presumably be in the rotation. There's a good chance that Kuzma is traded, which is likely to bring back another contract and presumably a pick. We need to know who all these new people are before we worry about free agency to fill any holes.

For now, our guaranteed contracts look like this:

PG Poole, Butler
SG Kispert, Davis
SF Bilal
PF Deni, Kuzma, PBJ
C Bagley, Holmes, Vukcevic

Champagnie was signed to a two-way contract for 2 years, but I can't tell if it's guaranteed.
Omoruyi is signed to a non-guaranteed contract for 1 more year.
Shamet is signed to a non-guaranteed contract for 2 more years.

Not?:

PG Poole, Butler
SG Kispert, Davis
SF Deni, Bilal
PF Kuzma, PBJ
C Bagley, Holmes, Vukcevic

With PBJ & Davis not playing much?

Also, not just Kuz but Bagley, Holmes and Kispert on the block being expiring contracts?

But like you say, so much will change in 10 days.

[9 and 20]

Celtics can kick rocks. Time for the off-season, aka Dawkins Szn. Skinny Terd, fat Terd, terd's the word. Let the games begin. Trade for Jokic.

[WallToWall]

Ian Mahinmi, Satoransky, Ty Lawson, Shabazz Napier, Ramon Sessions are all cap holds on our roster even now!!! Amazing! A few more months (free agency) of looking at those names, and then we can shed our past. Can't wait!

[nate33]

Ian Mahinmi, Satoransky, Ty Lawson, Shabazz Napier, Ramon Sessions are all cap holds on our roster even now!!! Amazing! A few more months (free agency) of looking at those names, and then we can shed our past. Can't wait!

That's just a weird relic of the CBA. Basically, the Wizards can theoretically resign those players to contracts using Bird Rights rather than having to use the MLE or vet minimum exception. Lots of teams have ancient cap holds sitting on their books. They stay there when a player retires or leaves the team and never signs elsewhere.

Those cap holds stick around forever unless a team drops all the way below the salary cap and decides to act as an under-the-cap team and sign players using raw cap room rather than the MLE, BAE and vet minimum exceptions. (When that happens, they need to first renounce all their cap holds before they actually have raw cap room available.)

[Rafael122]

If Sarr is the pick, I would have to think 1 of Bagley/Holmes is on the move.

[closg00]

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[WallToWall]

Any info on if and what Poole is doing to strengthen his game during the offseason?

[Upperclass]

The 2024-2025 season should be focused solely on the 2025 draft and acquiring assets to rejoin the Eastern Conference playoff mix, in which the latter part of the playoff picture is annually up for contention.

Right now the Wizards lack in top-tier impactful talent, however, there are pieces in place assets, and enough talent on the roster to quickly restart the rebuild into a young, exciting team.


24-25 Projected Roster, not incorporating 2024 draft picks
Keep (24-25 ONLY):

Jordan Poole – Contract isn’t pursuant to his production, but he has shown to be one of the most electric guards in the NBA when allowed to operate freely within his role. In 2023, Poole was one year removed from experiencing adversity on a very public scale, including possible passive injury from the incident. Prior, Poole proved himself able and willing to follow and lead, in helping the Warriors to a 2022 title, including several wins down the stretch and in R1 without Steph Curry.
Poole’s role should be starting PG. He is an exciting, creative, fast, quick and agile guard, with enough vision to run an offense. His efficiency won’t be great, but as a stat-compiler, the immediate goal should be to generate enough counting stats, to appear attractive to another team in a potential after-season deal. Once the Wizards are fully into the rebuild, Poole’s defensive lapses and inefficiency on O, wont be sustainable on a team trying to win games. Poole appears to be a hard worker, a likable person, and a good locker room presence and role model for other young guys (presumably). Overall Average Hoops IQ. Above Average Offensive IQ, Far below average defensive IQ.
2024 Result: PG Starter

Kyle Kuzma – Worth his contract. A useful player who can do a bit of everything, even on the best teams in the league. Not the most efficient player but makes up for it with hustle and toughness. Good enough rebounder, has become a pretty good playmaker, and can defend well enough to get a stop when one is needed. Would consider dealing him in-season due to his usefulness to pretty much any team in the NBA. Due to his age, wouldn’t be counted upon to be a linchpin on a rebuilding team. His average athleticism will also worsen quickly as he gets more miles. The 2 man game between Poole and Kuzma should be fairly difficult to guard with good coaching. Kuz can pick n pop, roll, screen and setup others, and more. Looks to also be a guy who works hard on his game and has a professional presence in the locker room. Overall Slightly Above Average Hoops IQ. Above Average Offensive IQ, average defensive IQ.
2024 Result: PF Starter

Deni Avdija – Deni is the reason Kuz should be dealt this season. His best spot is in Kuzma’s spot as the defacto best offensive player on the Wizards. Deni is one of the best forward passers in the league with increased usage, is tough, plays hard constantly, is an elite non-dunking finisher at the rim and becoming very reliable out to 3. He hits the boards hard, while also having very quick hands for someone his size. He isn’t billed as a defender, but defends hard, and with better perimeter defenders, would be considered one of the league's better defenders in space. Where he lacks is in polish and consistency, but that should come with more reps as the main guy. Will be a bargain on his next extension. Overall High Hoops IQ. Well Above Average Offensive IQ, Above average defensive IQ.
2024 Result: SF Starter

Bilal Coulibaly – Kispert would be the better starter at SG for now and probably will be the starter if Tyus moves on, but I would start Bilal for the reps in a "development" season. Bilal doesn’t have a lot of game experience, but looked comfortable without the ball and defensively quite often in his rookie season. He isn’t a crazy athlete, but is good enough to get to spots, move without the ball and his shot looks better than most thought. He probably will barely crack double digits scoring as a starter but should look like the most impactful player on the floor in some wins with his energy and natural timing. He isn’t/likely won't be a top-flight offensive player, but he looks like he could become similar to what current Andrew Wiggins is, in a guy who can do everything on the floor at least an average floor while also playing elite perimeter defense.
I wouldn’t count on him to become an efficient player with more usage, however, as he doesn’t have a natural scoring touch and isn’t much of a passer as of yet. Overall Slightly Above Average Hoops IQ. Below Above Average Offensive IQ, Above average defensive IQ, sees the game well on both ends however.
2024 Result: 2G Starter

Tristan Vukcevic – I would start Tristan at C. Mostly by default since he will get destroyed on defense most nights, but essentially the other options in Bagley and Holmes are far less reliable options. It would also be good to see what you have in a player with his unique skillset in the current NBA where there aren’t a lot of Embiid types in the post (although obv. there is an Embiid he has to deal with multiple times a year).
Tristan plays hard, seems to be a very smart player, and appears to have the tools to help the team run a form of 5-out offense (alongside the other starters +Kispert when he’s in), that should give the fans something to consistently cheer for in home games (fun losses would be the key). Realistically he’s a backup, 15 minutes a game type of center, but he has quick hands, good timing on blocks, once he’s stronger, should be an above-average rebounder, with good vision, and he’s just a big guy overall on a team that needs size. Would extend his contract as well on a low salary. Not many backup Centers have his size and skills and would complement a certain draft-eligible center from UCONN as well in the 24 draft. [b]Overall Slightly Above Average Hoops IQ. Above Average Offensive IQ, Average defensive IQ.

Result: C Starter[/b]

Bench:

Corey Kispert – Corey would get minutes on most playoff teams in the league, and if he were on a team like the Nuggets, they probably would’ve repeated. Elite shooter, with good size, uses his body well defensively, and competes. He’s an approximation of a guy like Kyle Korver in theory, much less of a shooter and defender, but see’s the game well, knows his limits, and tries to stay within his role. Should be traded with Kuz or for a pick in-season, due to his low contract, and impending sizable contract.
Should start at 2 based on skillset, but its better to develop Bilal, even though he’s more of a 3 than a 2 (Bilal that is). Corey should not be on a rebuilding team when he can be flipped for a higher-upside talent (’25 pick preferably). Limited by athleticism, and system. His ceiling is probably a starter in a strong defensive group of 5, or a super sub 6th man off the bench as he doesn’t bring much aside from near-elite jump shooting(though he's learned to take the open driving lane). Overall Above Average Hoops IQ. Above Average Offensive IQ, Above Average defensive IQ.

Marvin Bagley III – A very good stats player, but not a very good real-life player. Even on a rebuilding team. Slow to react to most actions, doesn’t do much without the ball as he’s too slim to set great screens, is not really an above-the-rim player despite good leaping ability, since he likes to catch and gather, a very good to great rebounder that creates easy 2nd chance buckets, but can't handle, can’t defend, can't shoot, cant rim protect, cant pass. Elite finisher at the rim, but doesn’t have much in the way of post moves. He’s a very very good high energy, center, somewhat similar to a smaller Andre Drummond.
He also has played over 50 games once in 6 seasons. Could keep him as a part-time player, but would move off of him asap, even though his contract is fairly brief, as he will work hard to justify a 2nd contract that won't be worth it to the team that signs him to it. Overall Well below Average Hoops IQ. Below Average Offensive IQ, Very low defensive IQ.

Johnny Davis – He’s not an NBA player currently.. However, if he does work on his game, current skills etc. There is plenty there to work with as he isn’t talentless. The biggest issue is that his shooting form might be amongst the worst in league history. It needs a total rework, and with a few years left on his deal, can you really put resources into totally rebuilding a player who's skill-set, you can just replace at some point with a late-round pick. He moves like a player who knows how to play, until he actually gets the ball, however, he has solid quickness, length, leaping ability in space, can defend, has a nose for the ball, and seems to be fairly tough.
Right now he’s listed at guard but would be better as an Anthony Gill replacement at PF in the 11th man spot and let him run point in very late game/out-of-hand situations. Overall Average Hoops IQ. Slightly below Average Offensive IQ, below Average defensive IQ. He does knows how to play, he’s just being out-athleted nightly and doesn’t know how to do anything else to contribute on the floor currently.

Richaun Holmes – Should in theory be one of the best bargain bigs in the league, as a guy who can do everything except shoot 3s. He just isn’t, and also can't stay on the floor for various reasons. Could try trading him to a team like the Nuggets or OKC who can use him intermittently, but really serves no purpose on the Wizards as-is, since you have no idea what level of focus you will get on a nightly basis. Overall below Average Hoops IQ. Average Offensive IQ, well above Average defensive IQ.

Landry Shamet – Could easily start at 2, as him starting would support gaining a high pick in the ’25 draft. His skill-set is best used in low minutes off the bench for a championship contender. Playing with the Lakers, the Nuggets, Mavs as a Kyrie backup, etc. Would be his ideal role, as he wouldn’t have to dribble or pass, just shoot and play team defense. Trading him is unlikely unless he’s deployed as a starter and his stats get artificially boosted. Overall slightly above average Hoops IQ. Above average Offensive IQ, above Average defensive IQ, with bad defensive tools.

Jules Bernard – He plays like what Johhny Davis should be playing like. He can play. Doesn’t have blow-by athleticism, but knows how to get to his spot, appears to be an above-average shooter, and also has very good touch around the rim. He has a good enough handle to start the offense as well, but isn’t a good passer and thinks shoot first and 2nd. If he gets minutes to develop, I think he is a better NBA prospect than a guy like Julian Strawther. He isn’t athletic enough to help on the boards and doesn’t seem to be a very good defender yet.. but he’s tenacious and has an NBA game. Reminds me of a taller Austin Rivers. Would extend him a small contract for a few years and keep his development in-house vs on someone else’s roster. Overall Average Hoops IQ. Average Offensive IQ, below Average defensive IQ.

Jared Butler – He doesn’t do anything at an NBA level aside from finishing at the rim somehow, but he should be on an NBA roster. Maybe even as the backup point. He lacks quickness, speed, passing ability, size etc. But is a scrappy defender, and his type of leadership isn’t common and seems to be very high character. I think he could develop into an Ish Smith type. Overall well above Average Hoops IQ. Very high Offensive IQ, very high defensive IQ.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. – I think he’s a coach unless he wants to play on a lower-tiered team overseas. Aside from rebounding, he doesn’t have one NBA ability, even as a shooter, and despite being lauded for his hoops IQ.. it appears to be low, to nonexistent.

Eugene Omoruyi – Energy big, 2-way player if anything, but a player with more upside, would make more sense. Doesn’t contribute anything to an NBA team.

Justin Champagnie – Isnt very good. Doesn’t do anything well aside from hustle.

Would allow to walk:

Tyus Jones – Unless it’s a S&T, Jones skillset is better served on a different type of team. Would fit well with his brother in San Ant. For example.

Anthony Gill – Useful hustle player at times, but older guy who shouldn’t see the floor at all in an NBA game. Wizards are unique in that they have 2 young players with championship experience, who also bring a (relative) level of maturity. Can bring another Vet for a locker room presence if needed.

Eugene Omoruyi – There isn’t anything that he brings, that another similarly sized 2-way, or 2nd rounder player couldn’t bring for less salary.

Justin Champagnie – Just not a good enough scorer or playmaker. Should develop his game overseas for a few years.


Trade Pieces:
Kuzma – Not in-season, but after the 2025 draft would debate trading for Lavine if he's still on the Bulls. Not fan of his game in the least, but he would provide a higher-scoring punch than Kuzma which fans would love, and fits well offensively with Poole. Would probably be the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA however. Lavine should always have a role as at least a shooter even later into his career, so should be fairly easy to deal in a few years.

Would also consider: Mathurin and Jarace Walker, Jarett Allen
Kispert – Pick and/or 2nd year player such as Jordan Hawkins, Ousmane Dieng, Julian Strawther

Holmes – Nuggets, Warriors, Grizz, Heat, Knicks, OKC, Sixers would be good fits.

Bagley – Unlikely to be able to move him at his salary, but would try the Lakers for Jaxson Hayes if his PO is picked up; Grizz for Ziaire Williams; Blazers for Rob Williams and a pick potentially, then deal Rob to a contender for a piece.

Shamet – If you can find a trade partner.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. - Takes up a roster spot from more promising prospects.

[nate33]

I merged your post into the 2024 offseason thread, Upperclass.

[queridiculo]

This new merch drop is

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Not bad in theory but I hate the terd standard blue that the Wizards have opted for over the royal blue that always featured in the Bullets and Capitals uniforms.

[Rafael122]

Shamet's guaranteed date moving to July 13 per Woj.

My prediction? Wizards are going to be involved somehow in that whole PG situation and will use Shamet's contract to facilitate the deal.

[LyricalRico]

Shamet's guaranteed date moving to July 13 per Woj.

My prediction? Wizards are going to be involved somehow in that whole PG situation and will use Shamet's contract to facilitate the deal.

Exactly! So many more shoes to drop. Here's to an active offseason!

[closg00]

Shamet's guaranteed date moving to July 13 per Woj.

My prediction? Wizards are going to be involved somehow in that whole PG situation and will use Shamet's contract to facilitate the deal.

What PG situation?

[wewillnevertank]

Ze Ouizards are hiring!

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https://www.teamworkonline.com/multiple-properties/monumentalsports/washington-wizards-jobs/social-media-french-language-specialist-part-time-seasonal-2084715

[tontoz]

Shamet's guaranteed date moving to July 13 per Woj.

My prediction? Wizards are going to be involved somehow in that whole PG situation and will use Shamet's contract to facilitate the deal.

What PG situation?

PG 13