Official 2023 Wizards OFFSEASON Thread

[payitforward]

Well, *something* has to be coming, that's for sure, given that signing Vukcevic we've got 17 guys with guaranteed regular-roster spots!

Gallinari & Shamet seem like the obvious candidates to be moved for whatever value they bring back (not in players presumably).

Seems possible as well that they want Vukcevic to play a fair amount, i.e. to be our back up Center, in which case perhaps Muscala is on the list with those two guys?

Another long shot possibility could be for Vuk to start the year as a 2-way player, with a "wink wink" in place that they'll move someone to make room for him on the regular roster.

[bsilver]

We really could use a center with some bulk. Gafford, Vuk, and Muscala (hopefully gone) will get abused.
How about Boban? Can't get much bigger, won't change the tank, entertaining, a good teammate, and corners the Serbian market (except for Denver). Even Deni is half Serbian, sort of.

[nate33]

We really could use a center with some bulk. Gafford, Vuk, and Muscala (hopefully gone) will get abused.
How about Boban? Can't get much bigger, won't change the tank, entertaining, a good teammate, and corners the Serbian market (except for Denver). Even Deni is half Serbian, sort of.

This makes sense under the assumption that we actually want to win games. Personally, I think leaving a gaping hole at backup center is a smart stealth tanking strategy. Ideally, everyone on the team plays really well and they develop refined offensive and defensive skills, but keep losing games because the opposition kills them on the offensive glass.

[payitforward]

Sure -- & that gets Vukcevic the NBA experience he's going to need one way or the other.

[TGW]

I would play Kuzma at center during stretches...Tyus, Poole, Kispert, Deni, Kuzma to end games.

[bsilver]

If we wanted to win more games, Christian Wood is free agent. talented, but can't seem to stick anywhere. But hopefully management doesn't really want to be too competitive.

[mhd]

From Keith Smith. He apparently talked with execs from every eastern team for anonymous quotes:

https://www.spotrac.com/news/summer-league-notebook-part-2-eastern-conference-1956/

"“Starting over is too harsh of a term. Resetting? That feels more correct for where we’re at. The intention was never to tear things all the way down. But we like what we’ve got and the path we’re on now.”

“Kyle Kuzma has been a big part of things for a couple of years now. We’ve seen how he’s grown and rounded out his game. Getting him to return on the deal we did is a major win for him and the franchise as a whole.”

“There are opportunities for a lot of players to show what they can do this season. We’re going to play the kids a lot and find out what they can be. No one will be able to say it was a lack of opportunity that kept them from showing what they can do.”

“We’re thrilled to have Bilal (Coulibaly). We traded up because our intel was that other teams were attempting to do the same thing, and Indiana had made it clear they were willing to move around the board. We couldn’t risk waiting one more pick, because we knew someone else was going to come up to draft Bilal. But we’re going to ask everyone to be patient. He’s only 18 years old. (Note: Coulibaly turns 19 years old on July 26.) So, this is very much throwing a kid into the fire. But this is a long-term thing for us. He doesn’t need to be great or to play on Day 1. He just needs to work hard and do what’s asked of him by the coaches.”

Opinion: It’s officially time to worry about Johnny Davis, if you aren’t there already. Second-year players should look better than the first-year players at Summer League. Unfortunately, Davis hasn’t looked like that guy."

[NatP4]

Opinion: It’s officially time to worry about Johnny Davis, if you aren’t there already. Second-year players should look better than the first-year players at Summer League. Unfortunately, Davis hasn’t looked like that guy."

For reference, here’s Johnny Davis’ numbers in the summer league per 36:

20.3 points 5.9 rebounds 3.4 assists 1.9 steals 1.9 turnovers 41/43/80 shooting

But narratives and all that

[DCZards]

Opinion: It’s officially time to worry about Johnny Davis, if you aren’t there already. Second-year players should look better than the first-year players at Summer League. Unfortunately, Davis hasn’t looked like that guy."

For reference, here’s Johnny Davis’ numbers in the summer league per 36:

20.3 points 5.9 rebounds 3.4 assists 1.9 steals 1.9 turnovers 41/43/80 shooting

But narratives and all that

I think some fans sleep on Johnny D because he’s not a high flyer who makes the highlight reel. They’re looking for that great “athleticism.”

Athleticism gets overrated while the sound, fundamental play you get from someone like JD gets overlooked.

I’m happy with the steady improvement we’re seeing from Johnny D. These numbers don’t lie.

[nate33]

From Keith Smith. He apparently talked with execs from every eastern team for anonymous quotes:

“We’re thrilled to have Bilal (Coulibaly). We traded up because our intel was that other teams were attempting to do the same thing, and Indiana had made it clear they were willing to move around the board. We couldn’t risk waiting one more pick, because we knew someone else was going to come up to draft Bilal."

This is interesting stuff. I wonder if it was OKC looking to move up. Anyhow, I'm glad they moved up to 7 to secure Bilal, even at the cost of two 2RP's. Unless of course they were bamboozled by Indiana and there was nobody trying to trade up.

[DCZards]

From Keith Smith. He apparently talked with execs from every eastern team for anonymous quotes:

“We’re thrilled to have Bilal (Coulibaly). We traded up because our intel was that other teams were attempting to do the same thing, and Indiana had made it clear they were willing to move around the board. We couldn’t risk waiting one more pick, because we knew someone else was going to come up to draft Bilal."

This is interesting stuff. I wonder if it was OKC looking to move up. Anyhow, I'm glad they moved up to 7 to secure Bilal, even at the cost of two 2RP's. Unless of course they were bamboozled by Indiana and there was nobody trying to trade up.

I suspect the Zards had good intel on team(s) looking to move up to draft Bilal. There were a lot of rumors to that effect prior to the draft.

Giving up the two second round picks is not a big deal, imo, especially given how many the Zards have collected recently.

[TGW]

Davis' summer league numbers are pretty unimportant. It's the way he moves and the skillset. Rarely does he look smooth. His movements are mechanical and slow, and his jumpshot is awkward. When he misses a jumpshot, it's hella ugly, and when he misses a layup it looks uncoordinated. Brendan Haywood made a comment during one of the games that I agreed with and it was something along the lines of Davis having no moves or wiggle (footwork) to create spacing to get good looks offensively.

I think he competes hard, and is a willing defender, and that will get him on the court for stretches. But offensively he's bad...I think he shoots in the sub 30's from the field/three for a good portion of his career. He needs to watch Andre Miller, who had a similar build and lack of athletic prowess, on slow guy moves.

[mhd]

From Keith Smith. He apparently talked with execs from every eastern team for anonymous quotes:

“We’re thrilled to have Bilal (Coulibaly). We traded up because our intel was that other teams were attempting to do the same thing, and Indiana had made it clear they were willing to move around the board. We couldn’t risk waiting one more pick, because we knew someone else was going to come up to draft Bilal."

This is interesting stuff. I wonder if it was OKC looking to move up. Anyhow, I'm glad they moved up to 7 to secure Bilal, even at the cost of two 2RP's. Unless of course they were bamboozled by Indiana and there was nobody trying to trade up.

Windhorst mentioned right after the draft that teams were looking to move up for Bilal. Heck, Dawkins would have known OKC’s intentions since he was there.

[NatP4]

Opinion: It’s officially time to worry about Johnny Davis, if you aren’t there already. Second-year players should look better than the first-year players at Summer League. Unfortunately, Davis hasn’t looked like that guy."

For reference, here’s Johnny Davis’ numbers in the summer league per 36:

20.3 points 5.9 rebounds 3.4 assists 1.9 steals 1.9 turnovers 41/43/80 shooting

But narratives and all that

I think some fans sleep on Johnny D because he’s not a high flyer who makes the highlight reel. They’re looking for that great “athleticism.”

Athleticism gets overrated while the sound, fundamental play you get from someone like JD gets overlooked.

I’m happy with the steady improvement we’re seeing from Johnny D. These numbers don’t lie.

Everything about Johnny’s developmental path and fan perception reminds me of Otto Porter Jr.

Nothing flashy, not highlight-reel material, not really a 1on1 player, doesn’t make any outlandish ego centric comments to the media. Just a low maintenance team first personality. Always makes the right play and gives 100% effort. The skill set continues to develop due to high level work ethic.

For years, a good portion of the fanbase actively rooted against Otto, and wished we had drafted Nerlens Noel or someone else.

[nate33]

Opinion: It’s officially time to worry about Johnny Davis, if you aren’t there already. Second-year players should look better than the first-year players at Summer League. Unfortunately, Davis hasn’t looked like that guy."

For reference, here’s Johnny Davis’ numbers in the summer league per 36:
20.3 points 5.9 rebounds 3.4 assists 1.9 steals 1.9 turnovers 41/43/80 shooting

But narratives and all that

There is something to the narrative that you want your lotto pick to dominate in his second year.

Keegan Murray averaged 35 points on a TS% of 71% in 2 games.
Jabari Smith averaged 32, 7 and 4 including 13.5 FTA's a game.
Chet Holmgren averaged 20 points, 9.5 boards and 3.5 blocks in just 30 minutes a game of 56% shooting.

That's domination.

Johnny Davis did not do that. Although, as NatP4 points out, his counting numbers looked solid. The problem is that his TS% was just .475 and he got to the FT line just 1.5 times a game. He was pretty good at all other facets of the game, but he clearly is still unable to score with efficiency, which is legitimate concern. The best news is that his 3-ball looks considerably improved, albeit on rather low volume. But if he can shoot 38% or so from the 3-point line going forward, then maybe he can function as a low usage role player who can play off the actions of primary scorers.

To be fair, a lot of guys from the latter half of the lottery didn't really dominate:
Jaden Ivey averaged 18 points on a .497 TS% with 5 turnovers a game
Mathurin averaged 22 points on a .504 TS%, but at least managed 7.5 FTA's per game
Sharpe averaged 17 points on a .450 TS%
Daniels averaged 15.3 points on .510 TS%, but at least managed 7.3 FTA's per game and had 6 assists to 3 turnovers.
Sochan and Jalen Williams didn't play.

A couple of noteworthy performances of other guys:
Jalen Duran averaged 20 points and 9 boards in 28 minutes on 68% shooting. Very good.
Tari Eason averaged 23 points, 9.5 boards, 4 assists and 3 blocks on a 55% TS%. Domination
Ochai Agbaji averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 boards and 3.5 assists on a .534 TS%. Pretty solid.

[NatP4]

Team context and minutes/games played are significant factors.

Defense also cannot be ignored.

[NatP4]

Davis' summer league numbers are pretty unimportant. It's the way he moves and the skillset. Rarely does he look smooth. His movements are mechanical and slow, and his jumpshot is awkward. When he misses a jumpshot, it's hella ugly, and when he misses a layup it looks uncoordinated. Brendan Haywood made a comment during one of the games that I agreed with and it was something along the lines of Davis having no moves or wiggle (footwork) to create spacing to get good looks offensively.

I think he competes hard, and is a willing defender, and that will get him on the court for stretches. But offensively he's bad...I think he shoots in the sub 30's from the field/three for a good portion of his career. He needs to watch Andre Miller, who had a similar build and lack of athletic prowess, on slow guy moves.

Why I buy the upside: he’s constantly getting better and has 99 percentile intangibles.

1. Has a knack for getting into the paint, not with a ton of separation/blow by. Needs to put on strength in order to finish through contact, continue to draw free throws, most young players do. Continue to work on floater/crafty finishes.

2. Needs to develop a consistent/solid 3pt shot. Was a 40+% 3pt shooter at the end of the year with the Go-Go and now in the summer league. Trending up+great work ethic.

[NatP4]

I say if you don’t buy the upside, think he won’t improve much, he settles in as a bigger Garrett Temple/Avery Bradley type. Useful rotation piece, probably not a 2nd contract guy, more of a journeyman.

If you buy the upside/improvement path, he’s one of the Josh Hart/Austin Reaves/Quickley/Caruso types. Highly impactful/quality rotation guys. Key pieces on playoff/championship contenders.

[nate33]

Team context and minutes/games played are significant factors.

Defense also cannot be ignored.

Defense certainly matters and JD looks like he rock solid on that front. But he needs to meet a minimal level of offensive competence to get onto an NBA court. And that offensive bar is higher for short players (because as a short guy, even if he is a good man defender, he won't be of much use in help defense). So short guys MUST be capable offensive players.

What scares me about Davis is his mediocre touch around the basket and his complete lack of free throw attempts. It's just not looking good for him as a finisher around the rim - even against Summer League competition where good rim-protecting big men are rare. So if he can't finish around the rim, he is going to be relegated to a low-usage catch-and-shoot guy. And that means he is going to have to continue to improve as a 3-point shooter, in both percentages and speed of his release. And even if does get good at that, a low usage catch and shoot defensive SG isn't all that valuable. Basically, we are talking about a guy like Isaac Okoro or Lou Dort, and that's if things break right. They're nice role players, but guys like that aren't that hard to find.

I'm happy to be comparing him with real NBA rotation players rather than calling him a bust. But I'm still not all that excited about his upside. He can never be Otto Porter because Otto Porter was 6-9 with all the defensive advantages of that size.

[DCZards]

JD is very shifty with the ball in his hands. He’s good at using that shiftiness to get into the lane.

The downside is that when he gets to a spot in the lane he lacks the jump shot and floater that he needs to finish. Hopefully, that’s an area where he’ll improve.