The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009

[Induveca]

Many years ago we had the opportunity to trade our #1 for Brand. A proven commodity who played at an all star level year after year.

Who would you rather have, Griffin or Bosh? Bosh would come in next year and make an immediate dent for us. I think Toronto would happily take two bad contracts off of our hands and the #1 pick for Bosh. Etan/Songaila/#1 for Bosh.

Griffin is great, impressive player. But so was Beasley (and similar numbers), pts/rebs in college don't translate to the pros like they used to. I'd roll with Bosh. Toronto would get to lock in a possible marquee player for 4 years with no chance of leaving Canada. We get an all star PF.

From there a ton more options open up for us. Would Atlanta ship out Josh Smith for Butler....I think so considering the vibe between player/coach? Move Jamison/Young for Vince Carter.

Arenas / Carter / Smith / Bosh / Haywood

That would be a dominant team.

Just dreaming fellas (cut me some slack). But if we get that #1 pick, the entire world opens up for us if we TRADE GRIFFIN with our horrible contracts. But if Danny Ainge can do it, we can......

Hell if Kerr was foolish enough I'd even try to move Arenas for Nash. Would give us a 2-3 year window for a championship. I love Gilbert, but at this point I want Abe to get his ring.

[nate33]

I'd rather have Griffin on a rookie scale contract than Bosh at a max salary.

It's kind of ridiculous to compare this draft with the Kwame draft. That draft was probably the worst draft of the decade. The highest draft pick out of the college ranks was Shane freaking Battier. There's a heck of a lot more certainty that Griffin will pan out to be a good pro than there was about Kwame (or Chandler, or Curry).

I like Bosh and I'd definitely be interested in trading our lotto pick for him, but only if we're picking 2nd or later.

[Induveca]

I'd rather have Griffin on a rookie scale contract than Bosh at a max salary.

It's kind of ridiculous to compare this draft with the Kwame draft. That draft was probably the worst draft of the decade. The highest draft pick out of the college ranks was Shane freaking Battier. There's a heck of a lot more certainty that Griffin will pan out to be a good pro than there was about Kwame (or Chandler, or Curry).

I like Bosh and I'd definitely be interested in trading our lotto pick for him, but only if we're picking 2nd or later.

Yeah but there is nothing worth trading for Bosh after Griffin. Thabeet is not impressive and Rubio is a project................

I'm just saying if we're going for a championship, let's go for one. We don't have a huge window with Arenas/Butler/Jamison (either them playing here or trading any 2 of them in an Ainge type move). Griffin certainly dominates at the collegiate level, but I think he's more of a Beasley type impact for the next few years in the pros. This is no Tim Duncan or LeBron James.

[mhd]

I'd rather have Griffin on a rookie scale contract than Bosh at a max salary.

It's kind of ridiculous to compare this draft with the Kwame draft. That draft was probably the worst draft of the decade. The highest draft pick out of the college ranks was Shane freaking Battier. There's a heck of a lot more certainty that Griffin will pan out to be a good pro than there was about Kwame (or Chandler, or Curry).

I like Bosh and I'd definitely be interested in trading our lotto pick for him, but only if we're picking 2nd or later.

2001 was a very good draft:

Gasol, Battier, Richardson, Johnson, Arenas, Jefferson, Murphy, Parker, Okur, Randolph, Haywood, Gerald Wallace, Tinsley, Dalembert, Chandler, Watson, Simmons.

The worst draft was EASILY 2000. The only good players were K-Mart, Miller, and Redd.

[mhd]

VERY impressed by Derozen. I said some positive things about him when USC played Arizona earlier in the year. I think he could be a top 5 pick by the time the draft rolls around. If Jason Richardson could develop a jumper, anyone can. Derozen is a very good ball-handler too.

[Dat2U]

Yeah but there is nothing worth trading for Bosh after Griffin. Thabeet is not impressive and Rubio is a project................

I'm just saying if we're going for a championship, let's go for one. We don't have a huge window with Arenas/Butler/Jamison (either them playing here or trading any 2 of them in an Ainge type move). Griffin certainly dominates at the collegiate level, but I think he's more of a Beasley type impact for the next few years in the pros. This is no Tim Duncan or LeBron James.

It be foolish of the Wizards to trade Griffin's rights if they get the #1 pick. Griffin may not be Duncan or LeBron but he's better version of Boozer and has some Karl Malone like qualities about him.

Bosh's warts are starting to show. Plus he's an impending free agent. Plus he wants a gazillion dollar contract. I think Griffin can be a 20/10 scorer within a year or two and do so on rookie wages. Griffin is a stud. I love his toughness. The Wizards need a dose of what Griffin's got. I'd take Bosh if we got the 2nd pick or worse. But if we land the #1 pick, Griffin is the perfect fit.

I disagree on the window being short. EG just needs to grow a pair and realize that Jamison's time in DC has run its course. Griffin needs to start at PF and a Jamison/Butler combo on the perimeter just takes us from being extremely undersized to extremely slow. And I just don't see Jamison being in love with the idea of coming off the bench for a rookie. A core with Gil, Wood and possibly Caron is still fairly young and gives us a chance to be real good for the next 4-5 seasons.

[Dat2U]

Not sure it's fair to downgrade Harden on the tournament games.

Well to be honest, I've been downgrading him all year. He's not a high lottery pick this year or any year. Not knocking the kid, He's a heady player with a very nice skillset but what in world are folks seeing to claim that he could possibly be a top five pick? The tourney games only reinforced what some others already saw. He's a mediocre athlete, even on the college level!

Dat, I've seen a lot of other posters say he has a good skill set, that he's fluid and an all round talent without athleticism and explosiveness. However, is it really true? Have you seen him ever try to use his right hand? In my mind a player who is undersized, not athletic and possibly out of shape, it appears so to me, should be just phenomenal in all the fundamentals of the game. Which in my mind includes the ability to go either right or left. Brandon Roy is a common comparison and he's a righty, but he goes left almost more than he goes right which makes him unpredictable and versatile, remember the game this season where DeShawn tried to slow him towards the end of the 4th quarter and he went left twice in the final minutes.

I've watched Harden several times and I literally never saw him dribble drive right once. If I was his college coach I would have tied his left hand to his body and make him play right handed every practice. Harden reminds me a lot of Anthony Peeler and in this draft there are at least ten players I'd rather see the Wiz select over him.

Good post. I honestly have not paid attention to his right hand. I've just been so underwhelmed with his athletic ability that I hadn't noticed his other flaws. I think the Anthony Peeler comparision makes sense in that its probably the type of career Harden will have. I have no doubt Harden will slip in the draft though. I'll be shocked if he's taken in the top 6. Personally there's about 15 to 18 guys I'd take over Harden and truthfully that number was about the same before the tournament.

[dobrojim]

didn't get to see the OSU game (where they won or lost) but those #s are
impressive.

But how about fugop's boy TWilliams? Sounds like he was VERY impressive.
I ran outta time to watch the Loo-a-vul game. It was after midnight
before I turn in last night (was busy during the day and couldn't
watch live). But the report on that game in the paper made it sound
like TWilliams was the reason Loo-a-vul won. He did it ALL. He might look
pretty good next to Gil.

I did watch most of the ASU game and the thing that I took away from it
re Harden was simply his passivity. I never got the impression that he wanted
to take the team on his shoulders and get the W. He was Pac10-POY but he wouldn't
shoot an open j from the FT line! I wouldn't waste a high pick on him. The last
2 games simply confirmed that for me.

Henderson still looks pretty solid to me but Tyreke Evans was more impressive.
Agree with whoever said he was the best player on the floor in the MD game
and he did whatever he wanted. He would look good alongside Gil as well as
another poster mentioned.

Blair was great in game one (based on #s, I didn't see it) Game 2 his numbers
were pedestrian but his impact was pretty large. That key off reb and putback
at the end was huge. And if we want a guy to set picks for shooters, this is the guy.
That said, Sam Young was fantastic for Pitt and was the reason they won. No one else
on the team was able to provide enough offense.

Hill seems to be doing what's necessary within a team concept to keep UAz alive.
That said, I didn't get to see much of either UAz game. And his numbers were solid
but not off the charts.

so if we don't get number 1 and take Griff, it does leave a quandry.
A bunch of nice players but even at that, players that may or may not
be able to immediately become rotation guys (which should be the goal).

Even though we lost badly (4x) on our last road trip, I was warming up more
to guys we already have and what they might possibly do next year.
Talkin' bout DMac, New York, 'proof and McGee. Critt has been the main one who
recently has really looked questionable.

I like the idea of trading down a lot more if it still includes a mid-late lotto pick
where we still might land one of the guys I mentioned above not named Harden
(I also like Lawson and Green from UNC).

One other thought on Griffin who I didn't see that much of and his defense.
He gets boards. That's what ends defensive possessions folks. That's one thing
I like about Griffin/Blair/Hill. I think all 3 will rebound well at the NBA level.

[fugop]

Williams looked good last night, though there were times when he was frustratingly passive on the offensive end. When Sienna made their run in the second half, Louisville had a series of 4 or 5 consecutive turnovers, two from Clark randomly dribbling into the paint then getting stripped on a half-hearted move, and three with the backcourt making lazy passes. Williams didn't touch the ball. On a normal team, that's the fault of the guards -- with Louisville, the offense runs through the forwards. Williams, in that situation, needed to do more than stand on the perimeter hoping his teammates passed him the ball.

Nonetheless, he played a great game. I'm really intrigued by his matchup with Budinger, who can basically match his athleticism. Budinger's athleticism is a bit more gracefeul/less powerful than guys like Young, Summers, Harris and Adrien, with whom Williams has battled all year. Should be a good matchup, along with Clark on Hill.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Count me in as on the Terrance Williams bandwagon. A defender at SG/SF who can also score and pass the ball.

Also, if Grunfeld gets the #1 pick and trades Griffin I would want to burn Ernie's likeness in effigy. Bad move that would be.

[Da HomeTeam]

CCJ,

He did that I would renounce my allegiance to the Wizards for a 3rd time. And that would be it for me.

[dobrojim]

Williams looked good last night, though there were times when he was frustratingly passive on the offensive end. When Sienna made their run in the second half, Louisville had a series of 4 or 5 consecutive turnovers, two from Clark randomly dribbling into the paint then getting stripped on a half-hearted move, and three with the backcourt making lazy passes. Williams didn't touch the ball. On a normal team, that's the fault of the guards -- with Louisville, the offense runs through the forwards. Williams, in that situation, needed to do more than stand on the perimeter hoping his teammates passed him the ball.

Nonetheless, he played a great game. I'm really intrigued by his matchup with Budinger, who can basically match his athleticism. Budinger's athleticism is a bit more gracefeul/less powerful than guys like Young, Summers, Harris and Adrien, with whom Williams has battled all year. Should be a good matchup, along with Clark on Hill.

You are correct this matchup should be interesting or revealing to say the least.
So far, I've yet to really drink the Budinger koolaid. This is his opportunity to
open some eyes like mine as TWilliams has been as good as advertised on the big
stage.

[fugop]

As an not for future drafts, people should keep an eye on Louisville's Terrance Jennings. Both he and Samardo Samuels are very intriguing prospects, with Samuels dramatically improving his defense and finishing over the course of the season, and Jennings improving his offense. Jennings is a dominant defensive player, one of the best I've seen at any level at blocking the man he's guarding. He's a bit undersized for C in the NBA, at about 6'9", but he plays (and may be) bigger than that.

[nate33]

Toronto seems pretty excited about Rubio. And they have cap room. If we end up with the #2 pick in the draft, I think a tradedown scenario with Toronto makes a lot of sense. Dump Stevenson (and hopefully Songaila too) while trading down to #7.

With the #7 pick, there are any number of quality SG prospects who could challenge Young/DMac for the starting spot: Henderson, Turner, DeRozan, Willie Warren, Harden, Jennings, Curry and Buddinger, to name a few. All but one or two should still be on the board at #7. We'll have to hope that EG can determine the best prospect among them.

Right now, I like Henderson, Turner and DeRozan. All are very long and athletic. Turner is the most polished of the three but probably the least athletic. Henderson and DeRozan have awe-inspiring athleticism. Henderson is more polished than DeRozan, but DeRozan is younger.

[no D in Hibachi]

If the Wiz drop 5 spots in a weak draft I would hope they could dump both Stevenson and Songaila.

[fishercob]

Draft/prospect musings:

Three straight unimpressive outings for James Harden. I think it had to hurt his draft stock. It certainly hurt my opinion of his game. Perhaps he'd be more effective if he wasn't the offensive focal point, but he didn't impress me much.

BJ Mullens is an idiot. If he stayed 3-4 years in college and really developed his game, he could be a 10-15 year NBA player. By going pro (he's not registered for the spring semester), he's going to ride the bench for a couple years and may not get a second contract (or much of one).

I also like Turner, Terence Williams and Henderson for the Wiz. I'm not interested in Derozan for us, though. He reminds me of Corey Maggette and his one year of college -- great phyiscal specimen, can't shoot yet. He may end up a good NBA player, but it's going to take him a few years. I want this pick to contribute right away (or be traded for someone who can).

I haven't seen either of UConn's games. Looking forward to seeing them next weekend. I have been firmly in the "bust camp" (hi FreeBalling) for Thabeet; I know there are many here who think he's another Mutombo. I'd like to watch him more closely.

Jordan Hill and Budinger are both better than I expected. I'm frankly surprised that team lost 13 games. I think Budinger is the absolute exception to nate's "whitey wing" rule. He's not Dunleavy; he's got actual explosiveness/hops. Hill may never be a superstar, but I can see him growing into that Oak/PJ Brown/Horace Grant type player. Then again, maybe he's an all-star.

Blake Griffin really is a beast. I'd like Hopla to have a chance to work with him on his free throws. If only his free throw shooting was actually a true concern of Wiz nation....

[dobrojim]

Toronto seems pretty excited about Rubio. And they have cap room. If we end up with the #2 pick in the draft, I think a tradedown scenario with Toronto makes a lot of sense. Dump Stevenson (and hopefully Songaila too) while trading down to #7.

With the #7 pick, there are any number of quality SG prospects who could challenge Young/DMac for the starting spot: Henderson, Turner, DeRozan, Willie Warren, Harden, Jennings, Curry and Buddinger, to name a few. All but one or two should still be on the board at #7. We'll have to hope that EG can determine the best prospect among them.

Right now, I like Henderson, Turner and DeRozan. All are very long and athletic. Turner is the most polished of the three but probably the least athletic. Henderson and DeRozan have awe-inspiring athleticism. Henderson is more polished than DeRozan, but DeRozan is younger.

I like unloading DeBrick, less so Song. This is probably unrealistic and perhaps why
you didn't mention it but the guy we _really_ need to unload is Etan.

Also why isn't T WIlliams in your list? I'm not sure he isn't now at the top of my
list ahead of Henderson.

[nate33]

Toronto seems pretty excited about Rubio. And they have cap room. If we end up with the #2 pick in the draft, I think a tradedown scenario with Toronto makes a lot of sense. Dump Stevenson (and hopefully Songaila too) while trading down to #7.

With the #7 pick, there are any number of quality SG prospects who could challenge Young/DMac for the starting spot: Henderson, Turner, DeRozan, Willie Warren, Harden, Jennings, Curry and Buddinger, to name a few. All but one or two should still be on the board at #7. We'll have to hope that EG can determine the best prospect among them.

Right now, I like Henderson, Turner and DeRozan. All are very long and athletic. Turner is the most polished of the three but probably the least athletic. Henderson and DeRozan have awe-inspiring athleticism. Henderson is more polished than DeRozan, but DeRozan is younger.

I like unloading DeBrick, less so Song. This is probably unrealistic and perhaps why
you didn't mention it but the guy we _really_ need to unload is Etan.

Also why isn't T WIlliams in your list? I'm not sure he isn't now at the top of my
list ahead of Henderson.

T Williams deserves to be on the list too. I have no idea who is best right now. But he definitely needs to be considered.

Regarding the DSong dump, while I agree that DSong is a MUCH better player than Etan, I'm looking at this purely from the perspective of future cap room. With Stevenson already off the books, we'd only need to dump about $2-3M in 2009 salary in order to avoid the luxtax. Any of Etan, Songaila or James would be enough to resolve our 2009 issues. But the key is the 2010 season, if we still have Songaila on the books, we'd have no luxtax flexibility whatsoever in 2010 and we would still have an outside chance of losing Haywood or DMac to a free agency raid (teams would be circling us like vultures trying to pick one of them off). Dumping Songaila gives us A LOT more flexibility. First of all, we'd make it plainly obvious that we have the luxtax room to match any offer for Haywood or DMac (which would drive the vultures away). And secondly, we would be in position to trade Etan's or James' expiring (plus maybe a future pick or Blatche or somebody) for another talented player with a longer contract.

[no D in Hibachi]

I know Chicago really has there eye on the 2010 free agent class. How about Mike James, and Critter for Hinrich? It helps them save a ton of cash for 2010 and maybe Critters recent 1st round pick still has some appeal?

[MF23]

Blake Griffin has no issues that bug me. None. I don't trade him for anybody other than guys who one the gold medal last summer. I've posted it before that I see that drive in him. He wants to be great. That type of guy will become a better defender with a good coach.

Blair will be a good pro. To many instincts. I watch him and I see Charles Barkley when he got to his 30's. Everything from his body to his applied physics remind me of Barkley. I have never thought that about anybody but he carries a certain attitude that is very impressive to me. Rodman and Barkley were great rebounders at their height because of those intangibles. I would love for the Wizards to pick him up anywhere as long as its after Griffin. Blair is exactly what the Wizards need.