Official 2023 Wizards OFFSEASON Thread

[WallToWall]

No matter how you slice it, this team as constricted at this point in time can win 30 games. The mark of success for this season would be:
1. Having all the young pieces get the green light, and as much time in games as possible
2. Have the young pieces show potential
3. Have the older players teach
4. Have the older player build value for themselves
5. By the trade deadline, make appropriate trades

The players on the team now will not be the same ones present at the end of the season. The idea is to FINISH the tear down, and START the build back better. This is a slow process, not one that will show dividends right away.

[nate33]

I hope to see something like this, at least to start the season:

Jones 28 Poole 12 Davis 8
Poole 20 Kispert 16 Davis 12
Avdija 16 Coulibaly 20 Kispert 12
Kuzma 32 Avdija 16
Gafford 24 Vukcevic/Huff 24

It might not be realistic, but I want to see if either of Poole or Davis can play the 1 efficiently, more minutes of Kispert at the 2, a Davis - Kispert - Coulibaly - Deni - Gafford lineup (even with Vucevic instead of Gafford). Mainly, I hope to see the youngsters in different kinds of situations to see how they deal with them.

Yeah, that's probably the best to hope for out of the current situation. Ultimately, I'd simplify it by just labeling Poole the PG and Davis a SG. I don't see Davis as the true PG on the floor, running the offense. Also, I think Gafford can play 28 minutes. And I think Jones and Kuzma get a bit more minutes than what you have. So it would look something like this:

Jones 30, Poole 18
Poole 12, Kispert 16, Davis 20
Avdija 18, Coulibaly 18, Kispert 12
Kuzma 34, Avdija 14
Gafford 28, Vukcevic/Huff 20

I would attached Avdija to Poole so that whenever Poole was the nominal PG, Avdija would actually be running the offense. We can finally give him the chance to be a primary ball handler. It's his show-me season. Let's give him the opportunity.

Finally, I'm going to assume that Muscala and Shamet start out with most of those minutes shown going to Vukcevic, Huff, Coulibaly and Davis. As the season progresses, those minutes will shift to the youngsters due to injuries or trade. These minute ratios are more likely to be what we will see 50 games into the season, not on Day 1.

[Hibachi_0]

Yeah, that's probably the best to hope for out of the current situation. Ultimately, I'd simplify it by just labeling Poole the PG and Davis a SG. I don't see Davis as the true PG on the floor, running the offense. Also, I think Gafford can play 28 minutes. And I think Jones and Kuzma get a bit more minutes than what you have. So it would look something like this:

Jones 30, Poole 18
Poole 12, Kispert 16, Davis 20
Avdija 18, Coulibaly 18, Kispert 12
Kuzma 34, Avdija 14
Gafford 28, Vukcevic/Huff 20

I would attached Avdija to Poole so that whenever Poole was the nominal PG, Avdija would actually be running the offense. We can finally give him the chance to be a primary ball handler. It's his show-me season. Let's give him the opportunity.

Finally, I'm going to assume that Muscala and Shamet start out with most of those minutes shown going to Vukcevic, Huff, Coulibaly and Davis. As the season progresses, those minutes will shift to the youngsters due to injuries or trade. These minute ratios are more likely to be what we will see 50 games into the season, not on Day 1.

You are probably right. In that case, I'd prefer to trade Shamet and keep Wright. About Davis at the 1, I don't think it is a lost cause yet. From the FO, I would demand the coaching staff to be imaginative with the young players and try to see all they have to offer. Another example could be a lineup of Poole - Coulibaly - Deni - Kuzma - Gafford with Bilal at the two trying to take advantage of mismatches and being able to swith everything on defense.

I see it as a year of experimentation, I don't want the end of the season to arrive and have any what if with any player we believe has some potential.

[nate33]

No matter how you slice it, this team as constricted at this point in time can win 30 games.

I suppose it's possible due to parity and 3-point variance, but keep in mind that 30 wins was good for the 5th worst record in the league last year. Basically, the only teams worse where the 4 teams overtly tanking for Wemby.

This year, there will be fewer overtly tanking teams, so 30 wins probably only gets you the 3rd or 4th worst record.

But in reality, I think 30 wins is highly optimistic. Name 1 team with a worse roster than us. Detroit perhaps (but perhaps not if Cade comes back fully healthy). Who else?

[mhd]

No matter how you slice it, this team as constricted at this point in time can win 30 games.

I suppose it's possible due to parity and 3-point variance, but keep in mind that 30 wins was good for the 5th worst record in the league last year. Basically, the only teams worse where the 4 teams overtly tanking for Wemby.

This year, there will be fewer overtly tanking teams, so 30 wins probably only gets you the 3rd or 4th worst record.

But in reality, I think 30 wins is highly optimistic. Name 1 team with a worse roster than us. Detroit perhaps (but perhaps not if Cade comes back fully healthy). Who else?

SAS maybe (depends on Wemby). However, the premise to your position is correct. We are nicely positioned to be the amongst the worst teams in the league.

[DCZards]

I hope to see something like this, at least to start the season:

Jones 28 Poole 12 Davis 8
Poole 20 Kispert 16 Davis 12
Avdija 16 Coulibaly 20 Kispert 12
Kuzma 32 Avdija 16
Gafford 24 Vukcevic/Huff 24

It might not be realistic, but I want to see if either of Poole or Davis can play the 1 efficiently, more minutes of Kispert at the 2, a Davis - Kispert - Coulibaly - Deni - Gafford lineup (even with Vucevic instead of Gafford). Mainly, I hope to see the youngsters in different kinds of situations to see how they deal with them.

Assuming he doesn’t get traded, Wright will be the backup PG. He’s a difference maker on D.

[mhd]

I hope to see something like this, at least to start the season:

Jones 28 Poole 12 Davis 8
Poole 20 Kispert 16 Davis 12
Avdija 16 Coulibaly 20 Kispert 12
Kuzma 32 Avdija 16
Gafford 24 Vukcevic/Huff 24

It might not be realistic, but I want to see if either of Poole or Davis can play the 1 efficiently, more minutes of Kispert at the 2, a Davis - Kispert - Coulibaly - Deni - Gafford lineup (even with Vucevic instead of Gafford). Mainly, I hope to see the youngsters in different kinds of situations to see how they deal with them.

Assuming he doesn’t get traded, Wright will be the backup PG. He’s a difference maker on D.

Yup, our season collapsed the second Delon went out. If the roster is as it is (and it won't be), then the rotation will be on opening night:

PG: Jones (28), Wright (20)
SG: Poole (36), Shamet (12)
SF: Kispert (32), Bilal (16)
PF: Kuzma (28), Deni (20)
C: Gafford (28), Muscala (10), Kuz (6), Deni (4)

Davis might take Shamet's minutes eventually, but WUJ isn't going to sit a vet like Shamet to start off with.

[joshuacf]

I hope to see something like this, at least to start the season:

Jones 28 Poole 12 Davis 8
Poole 20 Kispert 16 Davis 12
Avdija 16 Coulibaly 20 Kispert 12
Kuzma 32 Avdija 16
Gafford 24 Vukcevic/Huff 24

It might not be realistic, but I want to see if either of Poole or Davis can play the 1 efficiently, more minutes of Kispert at the 2, a Davis - Kispert - Coulibaly - Deni - Gafford lineup (even with Vucevic instead of Gafford). Mainly, I hope to see the youngsters in different kinds of situations to see how they deal with them.

Assuming he doesn’t get traded, Wright will be the backup PG. He’s a difference maker on D.

Yup, our season collapsed the second Delon went out. If the roster is as it is (and it won't be), then the rotation will be on opening night:

PG: Jones (28), Wright (20)
SG: Poole (36), Shamet (12)
SF: Kispert (32), Bilal (16)
PF: Kuzma (28), Deni (20)
C: Gafford (28), Muscala (10), Kuz (6), Deni (4)

Davis might take Shamet's minutes eventually, but WUJ isn't going to sit a vet like Shamet to start off with.

Why shouldn't Unseld sit Shamet? Shamet shouldn't even be on the team; he serves no purpose.

The only way JD is going to get better is by getting consistent minutes and improving as the season goes on, not by riding the bench for the first half of the season and then suddenly getting thrown into the rotation at the All-Star break.

[mhd]

Assuming he doesn’t get traded, Wright will be the backup PG. He’s a difference maker on D.

Yup, our season collapsed the second Delon went out. If the roster is as it is (and it won't be), then the rotation will be on opening night:

PG: Jones (28), Wright (20)
SG: Poole (36), Shamet (12)
SF: Kispert (32), Bilal (16)
PF: Kuzma (28), Deni (20)
C: Gafford (28), Muscala (10), Kuz (6), Deni (4)

Davis might take Shamet's minutes eventually, but WUJ isn't going to sit a vet like Shamet to start off with.

Why shouldn't Unseld sit Shamet? Shamet shouldn't even be on the team; he serves no purpose.

The only way JD is going to get better is by getting consistent minutes and improving as the season goes on, not by riding the bench for the first half of the season and then suddenly getting thrown into the rotation at the All-Star break.

His contract is actually pretty valuable. 2 more team option years after this year. I don’t disagree with you on wanting to see if Davis can be a viable NBA player or not. However, from WUJ’s POV, he’s going to play vets. That has been his MO. How long did it take before he yanked Barton from the rotation last year? Davis can force his hand by improving and showing why he was the 10th pick. However, Kispert and Bills are above him in the young wing pecking order

[smoothSeph]

What world is Deni getting 20 or less minutes?

[The Consiglieri]

So a question (and I wonder if connected to the question should be the idea: should we have a thread about the rebuild assets being collected for this reboot/rebuild?):

What 2nd round picks do we own between now and 2030?

So many second rounders have changed hands, I'm curious how many of our own, and how many have been acquired and kept the rest of this decade through 2030?

[payitforward]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/washington-wizards/cap/ no longer references Vukcevic.

Does anyone know what's going on? Is he not coming over this season?

[joshuacf]

Yup, our season collapsed the second Delon went out. If the roster is as it is (and it won't be), then the rotation will be on opening night:

PG: Jones (28), Wright (20)
SG: Poole (36), Shamet (12)
SF: Kispert (32), Bilal (16)
PF: Kuzma (28), Deni (20)
C: Gafford (28), Muscala (10), Kuz (6), Deni (4)

Davis might take Shamet's minutes eventually, but WUJ isn't going to sit a vet like Shamet to start off with.

Why shouldn't Unseld sit Shamet? Shamet shouldn't even be on the team; he serves no purpose.

The only way JD is going to get better is by getting consistent minutes and improving as the season goes on, not by riding the bench for the first half of the season and then suddenly getting thrown into the rotation at the All-Star break.

His contract is actually pretty valuable. 2 more team option years after this year. I don’t disagree with you on wanting to see if Davis can be a viable NBA player or not. However, from WUJ’s POV, he’s going to play vets. That has been his MO. How long did it take before he yanked Barton from the rotation last year? Davis can force his hand by improving and showing why he was the 10th pick. However, Kispert and Bills are above him in the young wing pecking order

Then let's trade him for some bad salary that we can just park at the end of the bench. Fournier or Covington come to mind.

[DCZards]

I don’t disagree with you on wanting to see if Davis can be a viable NBA player or not. However, from WUJ’s POV, he’s going to play vets. That has been his MO. How long did it take before he yanked Barton from the rotation last year? Davis can force his hand by improving and showing why he was the 10th pick. However, Kispert and Bills are above him in the young wing pecking order

Wes played the vets last year because his mandate was to make the playoffs. It will be very different this year. Player development will be paramount so Davis and the other youngins are likely to get plenty of burn.

[doclinkin]

I hope they keep Wright as well, but Shamet should NOT be in the rotation if that’s the case maybe another buyout??

We cannot bury Davis behind Poole&Shamet.

Davis is still going to have to earn his way into the rotation if he is worth anything. Shamet played on an injured foot last year, but shoots close to 40% from 3 on his career on high volume. He's 26, not a broke down late career veteran. Johnny Davis shot 24% from outside with the Wiz. 30% in the G league. I like the kid but that sort of shooting from an outside player makes the game harder for the rest of the team.

Players force fed minutes despite poor play do not develop winning habits. I fully expect Davis to WORK his way into the rotation, on defense especially, but at this point Landry even steals and passes better than Johnny D at the NBA level. Davis scores better on the interior. But until he can play off the ball, yes he will lose minutes to Poole, Kispert, Wright, Shamet, and anyone else who can hit the three.

In fact barring significant improvement from Davis in the offseason, his best chance to get PT is for Shamet to play and play well enough to get offers from a team that needs a 3pt specialist. If he is traded then Davis has a role as a back-up to Poole/Tyus in the ball-handling attack guard spot.

[doclinkin]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/washington-wizards/cap/ no longer references Vukcevic.

Does anyone know what's going on? Is he not coming over this season?

If he is or is not, he hasn't signed a contract so won't be listed. I'd bet they'd like him to season overseas if they can. Let PBR take any minutes available for tall slow outside shooting prospects who don't defend.

[nate33]

Yup, our season collapsed the second Delon went out. If the roster is as it is (and it won't be), then the rotation will be on opening night:

PG: Jones (28), Wright (20)
SG: Poole (36), Shamet (12)
SF: Kispert (32), Bilal (16)
PF: Kuzma (28), Deni (20)
C: Gafford (28), Muscala (10), Kuz (6), Deni (4)

Davis might take Shamet's minutes eventually, but WUJ isn't going to sit a vet like Shamet to start off with.

Why shouldn't Unseld sit Shamet? Shamet shouldn't even be on the team; he serves no purpose.

The only way JD is going to get better is by getting consistent minutes and improving as the season goes on, not by riding the bench for the first half of the season and then suddenly getting thrown into the rotation at the All-Star break.

His contract is actually pretty valuable. 2 more team option years after this year. I don’t disagree with you on wanting to see if Davis can be a viable NBA player or not. However, from WUJ’s POV, he’s going to play vets. That has been his MO. How long did it take before he yanked Barton from the rotation last year? Davis can force his hand by improving and showing why he was the 10th pick. However, Kispert and Bills are above him in the young wing pecking order

WUJ is going to have a different philosophy on a rebuilding team than he did on a "competing" team featuring Beal and Porzinigis.

[AFM]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/washington-wizards/cap/ no longer references Vukcevic.

Does anyone know what's going on? Is he not coming over this season?

If he is or is not, he hasn't signed a contract so won't be listed. I'd bet they'd like him to season overseas if they can. Let PBR take any minutes available for tall slow outside shooting prospects who don't defend.

Like I said, he wants to come here, and his buyout is only $825k, I can't imagine we stash him overseas against his wishes.

[mhd]

I hope they keep Wright as well, but Shamet should NOT be in the rotation if that’s the case maybe another buyout??

We cannot bury Davis behind Poole&Shamet.

Davis is still going to have to earn his way into the rotation if he is worth anything. Shamet played on an injured foot last year, but shoots close to 40% from 3 on his career on high volume. He's 26, not a broke down late career veteran. Johnny Davis shot 24% from outside with the Wiz. 30% in the G league. I like the kid but that sort of shooting from an outside player makes the game harder for the rest of the team.

Players force fed minutes despite poor play do not develop winning habits. I fully expect Davis to WORK his way into the rotation, on defense especially, but at this point Landry even steals and passes better than Johnny D at the NBA level. Davis scores better on the interior. But until he can play off the ball, yes he will lose minutes to Poole, Kispert, Shamet, and anyone else who can hit the three.

In fact barring significant improvement from Davis in the offseason, his best chance to get PT is for Shamet to play and play well enough to get offers from a team that needs a 3pt specialist. If he is traded then Davis has a role as a back-up to Poole/Tyus in the ball-handling attack guard spot.

Yup, it is not like Shamet is some scrub. Shooters get paid. Look at what Struss just got. Shamet is on a good contract. He's been a good 3 point shooter his whole career. WUJ would lose the team if he played Davis over Shamet (who is only 26 as doc pointed out) if Davis didn't deserve it. Kispert proved last year that he's a viable NBA player who can stretch defenses out. Bilal is easily higher on the pecking order of force feeding PT vs Davis. This FO didn't draft Johnny Davis. Teams move on quickly from draft picks. Look at what Houston just did to TyTy & Garuba (both former recent 1st rounders).

[doclinkin]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/washington-wizards/cap/ no longer references Vukcevic.

Does anyone know what's going on? Is he not coming over this season?

If he is or is not, he hasn't signed a contract so won't be listed. I'd bet they'd like him to season overseas if they can. Let PBR take any minutes available for tall slow outside shooting prospects who don't defend.

Like I said, he wants to come here, and his buyout is only $825k, I can't imagine we stash him overseas against his wishes.

There are only so many developmental minutes available. In Europe even bench players get more practice time more drills on fundamentals. Long term he is far better off working to get minutes with Partizan or in the ACB than sitting the bench or even battling for minutes on the GoGo. So far it looks like our Jr League team is better at developing guards than Bigs. I'd rather him put in the work to make it impossible to leave him overseas, and bring him over next year. Why light the fuse on his first contract if you have limited ability to get value for the dollars?