Official Wizards Draft Thread: Version 2.0

[MJG]

I'm all for any sort of 18+Daniels for 13+[Insert Portland PG Here].

[Rafael122]

If we can trade Daniels, that'd be a success in itself but I'm curious to see what Portland would send back. Only player I think of coming back would be Outlaw, Jack, the 13th pick and another flier like McRoberts for Daniels and the 18th. Unless they send Steve Blake back but Blake is not worth $4 million per year.

[Halcyon]

Trading up for Rush would be a mistake, but I'd love the #13 pick, and be able to unload daniels. I don't see it happening though.

[LyricalRico]

I've always had Rush as a pick that I would have zero problems with. Maybe not the upside to be a star but how many kids actually realize their "potential"? Heck, a few months ago when I was bashing Nick Young many of you were claiming that we couldn't expect much from a mid to late first round pick. Now you expect to get a potential superstar? Oh yeah, the pre-draft Kool-Aid must have some extra sugar in it.

I'm on board for the move up to get Rush. He's a solid player who fills an immediate need and is still only 22. Not to mention that he's still only about a year removed from ACL surgery. He may not be fully recovered for another 6-12 months so whoever picks him could get a more explosive player than we're seeing right now.

I actually think Portland would have more of a problem with the deal since they're giving up a lotto pick and expiring contracts for a lower first and an aging PG (who might not even start over Blake). What about including Phoenix to give everybody what they want:

Wizards trade: Daniels, Pecherov, and #18
Wizards receive: Jack, Jones, Frye, Strawberry and #13

Blazers trade: Webster, Jack, Jones, Frye, McRoberts, and #13
Blazers receive: Daneils, Barbosa, and Tucker

Suns trade: Barbosa, Tucker, and Strawberry
Suns receive: Webster, McRoberts, Pecherov, and #18

TRADE ID 4678129

Why for Phoenix? Kerr reportedly wants another pick in this draft. They also get bigger, get better defensively, and move a longterm contract.

Shaq/R.Lopez[#15]
Amare/Pecherov
G.HIll/Diaw
Bell/Webster
Nash/Chalmers[#18]

Why for Portland? They get out of the draft and plug in vets for a playoff run.

Oden/LaFrentz
Aldridge/FA
Outlaw/Fernandez
Roy/Barbosa
Blake/Daniels

Why for Washington? They get Rush and expiring contracts.

Haywood/Etan
Jamison/Blatche/Songaila
Butler/Rush
Stevenson/Young
Arenas/Jack/Strawberry

Inactive - Frye, Jones, McGuire

I would do that.

[newslowsad]

As much as I like AD, Jack would be a more than confident replacement.

[Dat2U]

I have no problem with trading up. I don't think the Portland trade makes sense if were getting the higher pick and getting Outlaw and/or Jack. Seems too good to be true.

I do hate the idea of trading up for Rush though. I'm probably his biggest detractor on the board. Firstly, I don't trust anyone whose last name is Rush. Plus, he reminds me too much of Jarvis Hayes, bad knee and all. He's passive, doesn't handle the ball well and doesn't finish around the basket well. He's another undersized SF. I'd throw a big time hissy fit if he was the pick.

My #1 choice is Marresse Speights. Roy Hibbert is my #2 but I'm also certain EG would pass on him if he's there. Outside of those two I'm kinda ambivalent towards the other guys. Arthur is a mixed bag. Very skilled but dissapears alot. I don't have a problem with Arthur's height because he's got good length but the 216 lbs don't impress me at all. I like Hendrix but would rather trade down (w/ Memphis for the #28 & Kyle Lowry) and grab him there. Same with Nicolas Batum who's stock is in a freefall but I still view him as a solid prospect.

DeAndre Jordan, Javale McGee & Kosta Koufos all strike me as big time busts. I want no parts of 'em. Donte Greene is intriguing but needs alot of work and doesn't solve anything for us defensively. Mario Chalmers is a 2nd round prospect in my eyes. Maybe its the hair but Robin Lopez reminds me of Anderson Varejao, I think he's a safe but unexiciting choice as a backup C.

My gut tells me that EG will draft the best talent available (not the best player or most ready player available). That leads me to believe Jordan, McGee, Koufos or Greene will be our pick at #18.

[fishercob]

If we can trade Daniels, that'd be a success in itself but I'm curious to see what Portland would send back. Only player I think of coming back would be Outlaw, Jack, the 13th pick and another flier like McRoberts for Daniels and the 18th. Unless they send Steve Blake back but Blake is not worth $4 million per year.

Huh? It's not like Daniels is a negative value player. He's a steady backup point guard. Considering the hissy fits people are going to throw if Gilbert plays big minutes early next year, Daniels strikes me as an important guy to have around.

Not to mention he's a great locker room/community guy.

No reason to move AD for it's own sake. If he's traded, it needs to be as part of a significant upgrade.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I have no problem with trading up. I don't think the Portland trade makes sense if were getting the higher pick and getting Outlaw and/or Jack. Seems too good to be true.

I do hate the idea of trading up for Rush though. I'm probably his biggest detractor on the board. Firstly, I don't trust anyone whose last name is Rush. Plus, he reminds me too much of Jarvis Hayes, bad knee and all. He's passive, doesn't handle the ball well and doesn't finish around the basket well. He's another undersized SF. I'd throw a big time hissy fit if he was the pick.

My #1 choice is Marresse Speights. Roy Hibbert is my #2 but I'm also certain EG would pass on him if he's there. Outside of those two I'm kinda ambivalent towards the other guys. Arthur is a mixed bag. Very skilled but dissapears alot. I don't have a problem with Arthur's height because he's got good length but the 216 lbs don't impress me at all. I like Hendrix but would rather trade down (w/ Memphis for the #28 & Kyle Lowry) and grab him there. Same with Nicolas Batum who's stock is in a freefall but I still view him as a solid prospect.

DeAndre Jordan, Javale McGee & Kosta Koufos all strike me as big time busts. I want no parts of 'em. Donte Greene is intriguing but needs alot of work and doesn't solve anything for us defensively. Mario Chalmers is a 2nd round prospect in my eyes. Maybe its the hair but Robin Lopez reminds me of Anderson Varejao, I think he's a safe but unexiciting choice as a backup C.

My gut tells me that EG will draft the best talent available (not the best player or most ready player available). That leads me to believe Jordan, McGee, Koufos or Greene will be our pick at #18.

Trading down to 28 and getting Hendrix would be awesome for this team.

Speights will be a player, but only on the offensive end is what I'm afraid of. I think Hendrix is ready right now and just don't want to wait on Speights.

I agree 100% on Jordan and McGhee being busts. I think Koufas will be a serviceable backup. I also agree that Greene solves nothing for the Wizards.

And unfortunately, Dat, I also agree that Jordan, McGhee, or Greene will be the pick. (After OPEC, EG probably won't pick Koufas).

I'm prepared to be unimpressed on draft night.

EDITED TO ADD: I'll be happy with Roy Hibbert, Mario Chalmers, or Chris Douglas Roberts.

[AgentOvechkin08]

How bout we just keep the pick and get batum because he will be there and hasnt he been given the OK about his health?

I still say trade someone to make room in the rotation for whoever we get...say batum.
Also, hornets have traded the 27th pick to the blazers for cash considerations...how does that happen? They are definitely gonna see if batum slides all the way to them, so we should grab him.

[omegatronic3]

funny, I was watching classic nba draft and they had the Jeffries/Juan year. Funny how hopes are so high at draft time...to heat the commentators we had just gotten a bigger Scotty Pipen and a Joe Dumars clone.......Its hard to imagine how Ared ended up sucking so bad. At the time though a 6'11" sf with handles sounded pretty good. I guess nobody noticed that he couldnt keep from triping himself on dunk attempts or charging on EVERY single fast break.

Ahh but its the optimism I love about draft night. We'll all dream of the potential steal we got with the 18th pick but more than likely with 18 your lucky if you get someone that makes the roster.

EG seems to shine at finding diamonds in the second round....but i dont think his first round record is great.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm not so sure that Portland deal is absolutely dead.

For those who don't already know, Portland wants to either move down, or move out of the draft. The Wizards want to move up and select Brandon Rush...

The deal supposedly involved Antonio Daniels + #18 FOR Jarret Jack + Pieces + #13...

I think the better deal would be to offer the same thing, but replace #18 with next year's #1 + Memphis' #1 from the Navarro trade.... It might not be good enough, but Portland does NOT need any more picks for THIS year.

Only way that deal works is AD+18 for Jack+James Jones+McROberts+13.

I'd do that deal in a second.

The deal also works like this:

#18 + Antonio Daniels for #13 + Jarrett Jack and Joel Przybilla


Would you do that?? We'd get a backup pg, a backup C, and move up in the draft for AD.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Make that deal then get either Randolph or Green at 13 would be a pretty good day for us IMO. Jack would be a solid backup pg and younger than AD, plus we could add someone like Singletary in the 2nd. Przybilla is 7-1 and an excellent rebounder, and would be a nice addition to our rotation at 5.

[Kanyewest]

BTW, still sulking at the (temporary?) death of the 'Left Field Analysis' thread (and not prepping a MetaDraft in protest, probably) but as for the metas on whether he lives up to his potential/becomes a team player or simply thinks he's better than he is: DGreene shares a birthday with underachieving megatalent Steve Francis, and next to zero other NBAers ever.

I share the same birthday as Francis and Greene so I'm going to have to stick up for them. I would say Francis did exceed expectations considering he was a junior college transfer that eventually became a 3 time all star. Of course, Francis didn't handle the Vancouver Grizzlies situation well, but he has had little off court problems if any.

Francis couldn't take Houston out of the 1st round against the Shaq/Kobe Lakers, so they traded him. But the Rockets haven't fared any better since trading him for T-Mac. While Francis is a talented piece, he just did not fit in as a starter for a young rebuilding team in Orlando. Injuries have made Francis into a marginal player. Sure he had his flaws as a player (low basketball IQ being the biggest) but he never had the chance to adapt into a smaller role much like Lamar Odom has done with the LA Lakers. (By the way, imagine how much Odom's stock would drop if he played for the New York Knicks)

As for Donte Greene, from what I've seen(which isn't much) he was impressive. It's hard to measure how well he can play given since his team is young and not deep. Even if he had a fight with Boheim, it's not uncommon for a player to lose their cool, especially for a 19 year old.

And when a young Michael Jordan entered the league, nobody else born February 17 had done squat. Greene will have his fair shot but he'll have to develop like every college player coming into the NBA has to do.

As for players from Baltimore, guys like Mugsy Bougues, Sam Cassell, and Juan Dixon don't seem like bad guys to have in the locker room.

[Munson79rip]

Although he isn't quite Al Thorton as least physically, I hope to hell the Wizards get lucky and see Marreese Speights on the board @ #18.

Speights would be my #1 choice based on who could be available, followed by Arthur, Chalmers, and then Greene.

Please please please no JaVale McGee or DeAndre Jordan

[closg00]

Seattle's GM Sam Presti is only 31 years old, how the hell did HE get that position?

[Wiz99]

Seattle's GM Sam Presti is only 31 years old, who the hell did HE get that position?

Pictures, he has pictures.

[closg00]

Although he isn't quite Al Thorton as least physically, I hope to hell the Wizards get lucky and see Marreese Speights on the board @ #18.

Speights would be my #1 choice based on who could be available, followed by Arthur, Chalmers, and then Greene.

Please please please no JaVale McGee or DeAndre Jordan

Supposedly, Jordon did much better in subsequent workouts, he wan't fall to 18.

I saw the clips of the Greene workout yesterday, and I was very impressed, I'm starting to believe the hype that he might be the steal of the draft. He-too won't be there at 18

[Cramer]

Arthur and then Singletary in the second. I'll be a happy Cramer.

[daSwami]

I'm becoming increasing convinced that we'll grab donte greene at #18, although eg would be hard-pressed to pass on Hibbs if he's still around. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see eg do something completely unexpected in the second round. this is where he tends to work his gm magic (and i think he prides himself on this). i'd like to see him take a flyer on a guy like kyle hines (who i haven't heard mentioned here.) hines looks to be a dmac-style "sleeper/tweener." he's an uber athletic mid-major guy whose stats are pretty impressive. if not him it'll be a euro no one's ever heard of.

[doclinkin]

BTW, still sulking at the (temporary?) death of the 'Left Field Analysis' thread (and not prepping a MetaDraft in protest, probably) but as for the metas on whether he lives up to his potential/becomes a team player or simply thinks he's better than he is: DGreene shares a birthday with underachieving megatalent Steve Francis, and next to zero other NBAers ever.

I share the same birthday as Francis and Greene so I'm going to have to stick up for them. I would say Francis did exceed expectations considering he was a junior college transfer that eventually became a 3 time all star. Of course, Francis didn't handle the Vancouver Grizzlies situation well, but he has had little off court problems if any.

Francis couldn't take Houston out of the 1st round against the Shaq/Kobe Lakers, so they traded him. But the Rockets haven't fared any better since trading him for T-Mac. While Francis is a talented piece, he just did not fit in as a starter for a young rebuilding team in Orlando. Injuries have made Francis into a marginal player. Sure he had his flaws as a player (low basketball IQ being the biggest)
...

And when a young Michael Jordan entered the league, nobody else born February 17 had done squat.

...

Funny.

OOh you're gonna sucker me into re-starting the Official Loopy Wingnut Thread and prepping a metadraft I tell ya. Okay, let's look at this as though we were 100% completely serious:

The question is how do you evaluate a player's ability to live up to their potential. Guys like the KFB and others have demonstrated that you can have the physique of a God of War and the 'noive' of the Cowardly Lion. Conversely A DWade can be the most dominant player on the floor on a team that has Shaquille O'neal. What's the metric for that?

In the predraft camp we get the physical measurements, wingspan, weight, bodyfat, the length of their uh socks, Their relative athletics in various representational hoop-jumping poodle tricks. But how do you measure what the old folks used to call moxie or spunk? What tools can you use to dissect their grit, will, determination and ball smarts. Not to mention personal character. How do you measure the 'size of the fight in the dog' so to speak.

Football uses the wunderlic test. I don't believe basketball execs give any psychological test. I suspect they do a little background checks, mostly informal, calling a guy's past coaches, talking to connections they have in various programs, finding out a little about their background and family. Then have a chat with a player for a few minutes after the workout.

But us keyboard Nostradamusses don't even get that much. At best we can work our google ninja skills and spy out interviews from college and highschool AAU ball, etc. But otherwise nada.

Now you could stick with the old tried and true method that suggests you look at a player's statistical production over their college career and ignore most everything else. That you let the facts stand for themselves, and draft every undersized big-bellied frontcourt player they got because they remind you of the guy you used to be back when you could ball with the best of 'em.

Or you could say 'facts schmackts'! And rely on the stars to tell you the Truth.

Steve Francis. Here's a guy who had a powerful talent, drafted high in the draft. A supernova in college. But he never quite fulfilled expectations. College to NBA, teams won more when he left than when he was racking up stats on them. Not a bad guy, not a locker room cancer, just --like you said-- his BBall IQ was low, or anyway his Team sense was never quite as developed as his personal talents.

So checking with the Oracle, do we get any insight on a cat who shares a birthday with Nina Simone or Anais Nin.
A quick read suggests a person who is emotionally deep, self-aware to the point of self-involvement, honest, dissatisfied, possibly depressive, complex, emotionally sensitive. Strong ego, powerful feelings, to the point where it's tough to take criticism since they tend to take it as a personal attack. In public setting they may have difficulty developing a tough skin, turning inward instead.

True? Not? How the hell do I know. I'm just saying, that's what the source says. And it's not like fellow birthdaymate NBAer (St John's teammate of Ron Artest) Erick Barkley ever had a successful career as an NBAer overcoming odds and battling fiercely despite being a fairly well-ranked PG that draft.

Compare and contrast with your MJ example, who definitely had the physical bonafides and college track record of success and shares a birthday with say the greatest football player of all time and certified badass Jim Brown. And Black Panther's founder Huey Newton. Folks who when faced with a challenge get pissed off and attack it head on even if it might get 'em killed.

As for players from Baltimore, guys like Mugsy Bougues, Sam Cassell, and Juan Dixon don't seem like bad guys to have in the locker room.

No I know-- I'm just messing with Baltimore. Though if I were continuing the riff I'd say Mugsy and Sam were from a slightly different era of B'more careful and Juan Dixon might be the exception that proves the rule considering his family history. Sounds like Donte may be a nice guy, I'd take that assesment before I'd trust my kneejerk prejudice against all things Baltimoron, just saying, seriously, Juan Dixon excepted, what good ever came outta Baltimore?