Official 2023 Wizards OFFSEASON Thread

[payitforward]

1. I *like* Tyus Jones. I"m delighted that the Smart trade made him available & that we wound up with him.

2. The Washington Wizards were built around Bradley Beal for many years. First Brad & John Wall, & when John's body failed him we were built around Brad. Bradley Beal was the first name anyone thought of when the Wizards came up. Often his was the only name. I recall Charles Barkley referring to the team "& the great Bradley Beal" (that last bit dripping with irony).

Brad is gone. & we were never ever built around Kyle Kuzma. Not to the slightest degree.

3. When we traded Russ for 3 Lakers, I don't recall anyone suggesting that we could, should, or would be built around Kuz a a core player (i.e. in addition to Brad). Nothing in his career to that point suggested that he was that kind of player. A guy who could be "a key piece." There was no reason to think that.

4. Nor, really, was there any more reason to suggest the idea coming out of that year. In fact, I don't recollect anyone here saying anything of the kind -- no one.

& why would they? After all, in his first year with us, although his usage did go up (compared to his last LA year playing with LeBron & Davis), it didn't even reach the level of his first 3 years as a Laker. Moreover, his scoring efficiency was substantially below average. & the team was worse than the previous year, before he arrived. We were better without him, worse his first year in our uniform.

5. Then Kuz came back in '22-23, & out of the blue he began taking 20% more shots. But his efg% & TS% -- which were below average to begin with -- both went down. His rebounds also went down. His steals went down. His blocks went down. His turnovers went up. His fouls went up.

IOW, he was substantially below average his first year with us, & then he got substantially worse last season.

For all these reasons, the fact that Kuz is back cannot be used as evidence that, no, we don't need a new generation of the Wizards; we just need some... I don't know... tweaking...? A mid-build around... Kyle Kuzma. That's a nightmare.

Don't get me wrong: it's great that Kuz is back! He's marketable, articulate, easy to identify with, etc. He will make it more comfortable to go through the initial stages of creating a new generation of the Washington Wizards. Which is 100% what Winger/Dawkins are doing. Just wait, & watch, & you will see.

[DCZards]

Wizards’ Summer League struggles show why Tyus Jones is so important
by Cem Yolbulan

The Washington Wizards have played three games in the Las Vegas Summer League so far. There were plenty of positive flashes like Bilal Coulibaly’s defense, Tristan Vukcevic’s skill set, or Patrick Baldwin Jr’s two-way ability, but there have also been clear struggles on the offensive end. The lack of a true point guard on the roster has made things difficult for the likes of Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, and Ryan Rollins on the offensive end. That is why Tyus Jones will be a key piece for Washington next season.

A true floor general is needed next to the young players like Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, and Baldwin Jr to get them easier shots. Tyus Jones is that guy.

https://wizofawes.com/2023/07/12/washington-wizards-offensive-struggles-tyus-jones/

[gambitx777]

I think once dame either gets moved or people realize it's not happening right now then a second wave of trades will happen.

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[Hibachi_0]

Wizards’ Summer League struggles show why Tyus Jones is so important
by Cem Yolbulan

The Washington Wizards have played three games in the Las Vegas Summer League so far. There were plenty of positive flashes like Bilal Coulibaly’s defense, Tristan Vukcevic’s skill set, or Patrick Baldwin Jr’s two-way ability, but there have also been clear struggles on the offensive end. The lack of a true point guard on the roster has made things difficult for the likes of Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, and Ryan Rollins on the offensive end. That is why Tyus Jones will be a key piece for Washington next season.

A true floor general is needed next to the young players like Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, and Baldwin Jr to get them easier shots. Tyus Jones is that guy.

https://wizofawes.com/2023/07/12/washington-wizards-offensive-struggles-tyus-jones/

I'm not sure I've seen this Patrick Baldwin Jr's two-way ability they are talking about.

[doclinkin]

Wizards’ Summer League struggles show why Tyus Jones is so important
by Cem Yolbulan

The Washington Wizards have played three games in the Las Vegas Summer League so far. There were plenty of positive flashes like Bilal Coulibaly’s defense, Tristan Vukcevic’s skill set, or Patrick Baldwin Jr’s two-way ability, but there have also been clear struggles on the offensive end. The lack of a true point guard on the roster has made things difficult for the likes of Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, and Ryan Rollins on the offensive end. That is why Tyus Jones will be a key piece for Washington next season.

A true floor general is needed next to the young players like Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, and Baldwin Jr to get them easier shots. Tyus Jones is that guy.

https://wizofawes.com/2023/07/12/washington-wizards-offensive-struggles-tyus-jones/

I'm not sure I've seen this Patrick Baldwin Jr's two-way ability they are talking about.

With his limited defensive ability maybe they demote him to a two-way contract?

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I'm not sure I've seen this Patrick Baldwin Jr's two-way ability they are talking about.

With his limited defensive ability maybe they demote him to a two-way contract?

Capable of driving the tank on both the offensive and defensive end?

[doclinkin]

I'm not sure I've seen this Patrick Baldwin Jr's two-way ability they are talking about.

With his limited defensive ability maybe they demote him to a two-way contract?

Capable of driving the tank on both the offensive and defensive end?

Maybe these "flashes" they are talking about is that every trip down the floor he's exposed on defense ?

[nate33]

Wizards’ Summer League struggles show why Tyus Jones is so important
by Cem Yolbulan

The Washington Wizards have played three games in the Las Vegas Summer League so far. There were plenty of positive flashes like Bilal Coulibaly’s defense, Tristan Vukcevic’s skill set, or Patrick Baldwin Jr’s two-way ability, but there have also been clear struggles on the offensive end. The lack of a true point guard on the roster has made things difficult for the likes of Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, and Ryan Rollins on the offensive end. That is why Tyus Jones will be a key piece for Washington next season.

A true floor general is needed next to the young players like Coulibaly, Davis, Rollins, and Baldwin Jr to get them easier shots. Tyus Jones is that guy.

https://wizofawes.com/2023/07/12/washington-wizards-offensive-struggles-tyus-jones/

I'm not sure I've seen this Patrick Baldwin Jr's two-way ability they are talking about.

Me neither. Literally the only thing Baldwin has shown is an ability to hit jumpers. He really is quite good at that and his release point is high and quick. He reminds me a bit of Michael Porter Jr. with his ability to hit a 3 even if a defender is right in his face.

But unfortunately, he is horrible at nearly everything else. He is way too upright and stiff defensively with terrible lateral quickness. And even worse, he has no dog in him on the defensive glass. He is not going to grab any rebounds that don't come right to him, and even the ones that come to him are up for grabs. I guess I could be charitable and note that he is a pretty decent shot blocker. He is long and has a pretty quick leap - enough to block 5 shots in 80 minutes of summer league play. He's also a reasonably aware passer on offense - not a total black hole.

[DCZards]

No doubt PBJ has shortcomings, especially as a defender and rebounder. His lateral mobility is poor. On the other hand, he runs the court well and has a decent open court handle for a player his size.

Of course, PBJ’s shooting and ability to get his shot off against pretty much any defender is his most appealing attribute.

Most importantly though, he’s only 20 years old. So I’m willing to roll with him for a few years to see how he develops.

[NatP4]

No doubt PBJ has shortcomings, especially as a defender and rebounder. His lateral mobility is poor. On the other hand, he runs the court well and has a decent open court handle for a player his size.

Of course, PBJ’s shooting and ability to get his shot off against pretty much any defender is his best appealing attribute.

Most importantly though, he’s only 20 years old. So I’m willing to roll with him for a few years and see what develops.

Yep, no reason not to in a rebuilding situation.

I don’t see it though. He’s not a NBA caliber athlete, and his basketball IQ/feel is shockingly terrible.

How long will we hear the “was a 5 star recruit, hasn’t been healthy, was a 1st round pick just a year ago” ?

[DCZards]

How long will we hear the “was a 5 star recruit, hasn’t been healthy, was a 1st round pick just a year ago” ?

Don’t know the answer to your question. But we’re only 3 SL games into his career with the Zards so there is that.

[payitforward]

Hey!
How about we give this 20-year-old kid a chance....

[nate33]

Hey!
How about we give this 20-year-old kid a chance....

Sure. I'm sorry if I'm coming off as a hater.

But my concern is that the flaws that I see are innate and not easily correctable with experience. It's not just about him working a little harder and refining his ball handling and footwork. Guys that appear averse to physical contact tend to always be averse to physical contact. Guys who don't have an instinct to grab a rebound outside their immediate area rarely develop that instinct.

I suppose he could still be a little tentative after coming off of injury. We shall see.

He really is a good shooter though. I'm not sure if he can reach a peak Bertans level of shooting on the move, but he his ability to shoot with a quick release despite being closely guarded is a serious floor-stretching weapon. I'm just hoping he can get a lot better on defense. If not, his offensive gifts will not be enough to offset his defensive liabilities.

[NatP4]

Hey!
How about we give this 20-year-old kid a chance....

I gave him 3 full disorganized glorified pickup games on a brand new team, with close to zero practice time with the new teammates. That should be sufficient.

[payitforward]

Hey!
How about we give this 20-year-old kid a chance....

I gave him 3 full disorganized glorified pickup games on a brand new team, with close to zero practice time with the new teammates. That should be sufficient.

LOL... well done, nate!

[NatP4]

Vukcevic is definitely staying over. Has been doing photoshoots with the Wizards.

Read on Twitter

[payitforward]

Sure makes it look like Vukcevic will be with the team this year!

[nate33]

Vukcevic is definitely staying over. Has been doing photoshoots with the Wizards.

Read on Twitter

What is Vukcevic's wingspan? His arms seem noticeably longer than Coulibaly's, and that's saying something.

EDIT: Nevermind. Google is my friend.

Vukcevic is 6'-11.25" no shoes, with a 7'-2.5" wingspan. His standing reach is 9'-3"

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Sure makes it look like Vukcevic will be with the team this year!

Tremendous tank move. He will be flat out awful and unplayable this year. Let’s hope he plays a lot

[gambitx777]

There has to be more trades coming.

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