Official Wizards Draft Thread: Version 2.0

[doclinkin]

Seems to me If we get Luther it means we lose Pecherov or DMac unless other players are involved. On the other hand it opens up a slot for another young player.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I confess that as old as I am, I'm still excited about the draft. Despite the fact that each and every year the Wizards do not draft the player or players I like, I'm hopeful.

Maybe they really do well this time ....

[LyricalRico]

I proposed something like this about a month ago and was flamed because we could stay at #18 and then just re-sign Mason. Well, I guess my genius is affirmed yet again.

But Doc is right - the Wiz would have to send somebody to Houston to make the numbers work.

Or we could make it a 3-way if Hibbert is on the board at #18:

Wizards trade: Songaila and #18
Wizards receive: Head and #25

Bobcats trade: #20
Bobcats receive: Songaila and #18

Rockets trade: Head and #25
Rockets receive: #20

That should still put Houston high enough to take Lee (I don't think Cleveland takes him at #19) and the salary provisions are met since Charlotte is under the cap for the upcoming season. Then, at #25, the Wiz could probably pick between Batum, Hendrix, Hickson, maybe even Chalmers if he slips. And we solve our luxury tax problems.

[Cramer]

I'm not sure if Head would be enough to get me to give up the difference between the what we'd get 25 vs.18. Well, some head might be enough, but we'd have to be talking some mighty fine head.

As for stroking the 3, stat wise he doesn't match up to Mason, Young or even Stevenson. In Ernie I Trust but this Head ain't getting me to excited.

And how good is his lack of defense? He's gotta be able to fit in with the guys we have.

Off the top of my head (no pun intended) Head shot over 40% on threes prior to last season.

Here's a scouting report on Luther. (I love DX, btw. They even scout guys in the NBA!)

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Luther-Head-320/

Interestingly, Head in their report is a decent PG defender.

.351 last season and .393 career.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I'm not sure if Head would be enough to get me to give up the difference between the what we'd get 25 vs.18. Well, some head might be enough, but we'd have to be talking some mighty fine head.

As for stroking the 3, stat wise he doesn't match up to Mason, Young or even Stevenson. In Ernie I Trust but this Head ain't getting me to excited.

And how good is his lack of defense? He's gotta be able to fit in with the guys we have.

I really don't think the drop is all that serious. Just this morning CNNSI had a mock that had Greene dropping and the Rockets picking him at 25. Batum also has the potential to drop that far. And Hendrix, Hickson, and other decent bigs (who I'd rather have than the likes of McGee) will be there too.

Picking up Head would be huge. Tonight's gonna be exciting...

[Dat2U]

I'm not a fan of Head. Well at least not Luther Head.

Undersized, no real position. Streaky shooter, mediocre defender. What does he really bring to the table? Where does he even fit into the rotation? Should we be trading down in the draft for what's basically a 5th guard?

I'd pass. Even if it meant dumping Songaila, Head is just not intriguing to me. Don't we have enough mediocre Gs on the roster with Stevenson & AD? What would it mean for Nick Young's playing time and development?

Luckily Hoopsworld isn't a reliable source.

[miller31time]

It all depends on who the other player in the deal is. We simply cannot trade the 18th for Head and the 25th. Another player would need to be added. Songaila is set to make 4.2mil next season. Head will make 1.9mil. I don't think that can happen. It probably needs to be Pesh.

[Ruzious]

My turn for the cheap joke: Does EG really need Head that bad?

Seriously, I don't see any point in making that trade. What does... Luther... give you that Mason doesn't. And quite frankly, we don't need Mason. I think you can find someone in the 2nd round to fill that role at min salary.

Did that author really call Luther Head an impact player?

[doclinkin]

It all depends on who the other player in the deal is. We simply cannot trade the 18th for Head and the 25th. Another player would need to be added. Songaila is set to make 4.2mil next season. Head will make 1.9mil. I don't think that can happen. It probably needs to be Pesh.

Head + Steve Novak (option picked up, dunno if they did) + Justin Reed might could put Songaila in the Adelman Princeton offense, where he's played effectively (in Sactown). And CCJ would get happitty that we had the sweetshooting Novak in our offense. Plus Reed and Novak have expiring deals.

Unlikely though. The Rox have a raft of forwards equivalent to Songaila.

[daSwami]

Did that author really call Luther Head an impact player?

And apparently he was once considered "untouchable". yeah right. head is the epitome of nba mediocrity.

If we lose mason, i think we need to replace him with a legit 3-pt threat, not sure luther fills the bill.

[closg00]

Could be a freelance writer making shyt up, but it's possible that Bill spoke to his source at the Rockets and got some info. Ernie did say he was having a lot of "discussions". This guy appears to be legit.

Bio.

Bill Ingram
Covers the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs.
Based in Dallas, Bill serves as the Executive Editor of Basketball News Services and is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Bill has covered the NBA as media for the past 6 seasons. Bill has appeared on NBATV numerous times, and on sports radio programs across the country. Bill is available for radio and television appearances.

[MJG]

As has been mentioned, we can't just take Head off their hands for swapping the picks. Who else would be involved in the deal really makes a big difference. I sure as heck don't want to throw in OPec or McGuire. Do they have another smallish expiring contract, and then we can send Songaila? Or maybe Chuck Hayes. That'd be something I'm more interested in.

[Ji]

I'm not sure if Head would be enough to get me to give up the difference between the what we'd get 25 vs.18. Well, some head might be enough, but we'd have to be talking some mighty fine head.

As for stroking the 3, stat wise he doesn't match up to Mason, Young or even Stevenson. In Ernie I Trust but this Head ain't getting me to excited.

And how good is his lack of defense? He's gotta be able to fit in with the guys we have.

I really don't think the drop is all that serious. Just this morning CNNSI had a mock that had Greene dropping and the Rockets picking him at 25. Batum also has the potential to drop that far. And Hendrix, Hickson, and other decent bigs (who I'd rather have than the likes of McGee) will be there too.

Picking up Head would be huge. Tonight's gonna be exciting...

we are getting luther head and you think tonights going to be exciting? You must be thinking of another head

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Maybe Head's last game against us when he dropped 24 and hit something like 4-6 threes is dominating our thoughts on the guy, because he hit one, count em ONE shot in 6 games against the Jazz in last year's playoffs. 1-14 overall. Impact player? not so much.

[Pitbull]

we are getting luther head and you think tonights going to be exciting? You must be thinking of another head

This coming from a man who sets his watch to the NAM models and throws web while pouring over 850mb temps.

Cold air damming... Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Dat2U]

My final prospect rankings:

Future NBA Superstar
1. PG Derrick Rose
2. PF Michael Beasley

Possible NBA All-Star
3. SG O.J. Mayo
4. PG Jerryd Bayless

Solid NBA Starter
5. PF Kevin Love
6. SF Joe Alexander
7. C Marresse Speights
8. PG D.J. Augustin
9. C Brook Lopez
10. SG Eric Gordon
11. SF Nicolas Batum
12. SF Danilo Gallinari
13. PF Anthony Randolph

Quality NBA role player
14. C Roy Hibbert
15. PG Russell Westbrook
16. PF Richard Hendrix
17. C Omer Asik
18. SF Donte Greene
19. PF Darrell Arthur
20. SF Bill Walker
21. SG Chris Douglas Roberts
22. C Robin Lopez
23. PF Ryan Anderson

Fringe rotation/deep bench player
24. C DeAndre Jordan
25. C Alexis Ajinca
26. PF Serge Ibaka
27. C Kosta Koufos
28. PF D.J. White
29. PG Mario Chalmers
30. SG J.R. Giddens
31. SG Kyle Weaver
32. C Jason Thompson
33. SG Courtney Lee
34. SF Brandon Rush
35. C Devon Hardin
36. C Ante Tomic
37. SF Patrick Ewing Jr.
38. C Nikola Perovic
39. C Javale McGee
40. PG Sean Singletary
41. PG Jamont Gordon

Anyone else not mentioned above: Out of the league in 2 years or less.

General Thoughts:
While its a deep draft with a good amount of NBA talent, its not particulary strong in terms of top level talent. I only see 4-5 potential all-stars or real difference makers. A decent number of NBA starters may come out the draft but it possesses a great amount of quality role players and guys that can fill out a 15-man roster. Unless you have a top 3 or 4 pick, don't expect to get a real impact player.

There's good value later in the draft in the teens and twenties. There's great amount of project big men that should be avoided. Guys with raw talent but little or no skill and questionable motor. Those guys tend to rate as the biggest busts in the draft. Jordan, Koufos, Ajinca & McGee fall into this category. Guys that I think are potential steals relative to draft value are Speights, Batum, Asik, Hendrix & Anderson.

[newslowsad]

Not too excited by Luther Head.

[jholmbe1]

Maybe Head's last game against us when he dropped 24 and hit something like 4-6 threes is dominating our thoughts on the guy, because he hit one, count em ONE shot in 6 games against the Jazz in last year's playoffs. 1-14 overall. Impact player? not so much.

I can't hold that against him too much. Stevenson was beyond terrible in the playoffs of 2007 vs. the Cavs. He bounced back and had a good year and was a key part of our team. One bad playoff series does not make or break a player.

[Wizards2Lottery]

Toronto landed JO. Indy landed TJ Ford. Toronto might even get Shawn Marion.

I hope we can move up for a quality prospect or trade the pick for something better than a Roger Mason replacement.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I'm not sure if Head would be enough to get me to give up the difference between the what we'd get 25 vs.18. Well, some head might be enough, but we'd have to be talking some mighty fine head.

As for stroking the 3, stat wise he doesn't match up to Mason, Young or even Stevenson. In Ernie I Trust but this Head ain't getting me to excited.

And how good is his lack of defense? He's gotta be able to fit in with the guys we have.

I really don't think the drop is all that serious. Just this morning CNNSI had a mock that had Greene dropping and the Rockets picking him at 25. Batum also has the potential to drop that far. And Hendrix, Hickson, and other decent bigs (who I'd rather have than the likes of McGee) will be there too.

Picking up Head would be huge. Tonight's gonna be exciting...

we are getting luther head and you think tonights going to be exciting? You must be thinking of another head

No, I think the DRAFT will be exciting. And yes, I'm moderately excited about who we pick. What can I say, I haven't been depressed for the past month or so and my posts will reflect that...

But you can feel free to follow this with "what does the draft matter? we'll finish 42-40 and get knocked out of the first round of the playoffs"