What Should the Wizards Should Do with the 5th Pick?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Chad Ford is rarely right, but this is very troubling if there is a scintilla of truth to it.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... tch-090521

That's why a couple of teams think the Thunder might be willing to trade down in the draft. Two league sources said the Wizards and Thunder already had discussions about a swap of the No. 3 pick for the No. 5 pick and the Wizards' 2008 first-rounder JaVale McGee.

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and can then get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.




I will seriously consider going on a long hiatus as a Wizards fan if they trade McGee and the 5th to pick Thabeet. That's absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't deal McGee straight up for Thabeet. The deal for Rubio is not as bad, but it's still questionable. I can only hope that Ford was given some disinformation which is normal in these situations.

I'll just say typical move for this organization.

God's way of sending Javale to a much better situation if it happens.

I was onboard saying to all that called me crazy then that the Wizards didn't know what they were getting rid of when they traded Rip for Stackhouse. Hated that idea right away. (Just like I hated it right away when they traded Ben Wallace and others for Ike Austin. Just like I hated Gugliotta and three #1s for Webber, and Just like I REALLY HATED Webber for Richmond and Thorpe plus absolutely nada draft picks.).

If they trade McGee away it'll be because behind the scenes he's manned up and told the coaches or the GM just how stupid he thinks they are.

THIS IS THE WIZARDS THINKING ON THE CHEAP, IF TRUE: Sign Thabeet and Haywood can walk if they're not able to free up cap.

[MJG]

Chad Ford is rarely right, but this is very troubling if there is a scintilla of truth to it.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... tch-090521

That's why a couple of teams think the Thunder might be willing to trade down in the draft. Two league sources said the Wizards and Thunder already had discussions about a swap of the No. 3 pick for the No. 5 pick and the Wizards' 2008 first-rounder JaVale McGee.

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and can then get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.

I will seriously consider going on a long hiatus as a Wizards fan if they trade McGee and the 5th to pick Thabeet. That's absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't deal McGee straight up for Thabeet. The deal for Rubio is not as bad, but it's still questionable. I can only hope that Ford was given some disinformation which is normal in these situations.

That's absolutely absurd. I agree with everything you say, Ben. If they trade McGee, they need to get a superstar back -- period.

The absolute worst part is this line:

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls.

The fifth pick and McGee for Thabeet? We're talking legit long-term damage to my interest in the organization if that happened. Not that I'd even consider that deal for Rubio, but at least if we did that there's a chance of getting something special.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

LOL, they want Rubio and will settle for Thabeet.

Little Ricky isn't even dominating the league he's in.

Blair took Thabeet's manhood on national tv.

How stupid do the Wizards have to be to not figure out they need to trade down for Blair or Calathes and NOT GIVE AWAY MCGEE????

OF COURSE RUBIO AND THABEET HAVE THE TALENT, but how long will it take for them to reach their POTENTIAL?

Trading Javale AND the 5 for a project.

Just like the Wizards.

[Higga]

trade for Bosh or Amare

[eltacoman]

We will have our pick at SG in this upcoming draft so which one will shine the most with our playoff team they will not have the same pressure that the had in Collage
WHO WILL HAVE THE MOST SUCCES ON A TEAM WITH THE BIG 3 ?

James Harden
Demar DeRozan
Stephen Curry
Tyreke Evans
Jrue Holiday

I think Curry, but mainly because of his dad's NBA career being so successful and his mom being a principal. Stephen's been a student of the game a very long time. He's acquired PG skills to go along with the shooting stroke. What will prevent him from succeeding?

Harden might be real successful as a Wiz. Depends on where he lands.

DeRozan has athleticism. So does Rudy Gay, but the Grizzlies seem to do better without Rudy IMO. I think DeRozan should return to the NCAAs, but that's just me.

Evans is a scorer but one that turns the ball over a lot and who doesn't have reliable range. Could be a superstar some day, but might disappoint. Don't like him being a follower who's run with questionable crowds. But, he would seem to fit what the Wizards need at SG. I have no idea with Evans.

Jrue Holiday is a defensive guy the Wizards could use, but I don't like what he did at UCLA.

Of all of them, Curry would be my overwhelming selection to who will succeed the most.

HE'S LEBRON'S FRIEND, ALREADY. Wizards should draft him just to make Lebron have that sad face he had yesterday when they lost.

Of all of them, Curry would be my overwhelming selection to who will succeed the most.

HE'S LEBRON'S FRIEND, ALREADY. Wizards should draft him just to make Lebron have that sad face he had yesterday when they lost.

yeah i like The Sharp Shooter Curry too
i think he would step his game up every time we face Labron

im stuck on Curry and Harden they both can hit that shot we need .... Curry is the Sniper we need but he need 2 more inches to play at a sg for us maybe move Critt to sg could work
Harden reminds me of Gilbert he can score allover the place so im down with picking him too John Salmons type of game

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just had a thought about Rubio.

At 17/18 years old, back in 1996 or so, Kobe had some rough games. Rubio's more prepared at 18 than Kobe IMO, coming from a tough pro league. Is he as talented?

I'll assume EG is right about Rubio's talent/potential, with Kobe Bryant in mind. In 5 or 10 years, Rubio might own the NBA so to speak. MIGHT.

I just don't want Rubio for this team over the next year or two.

[Zerocious]

On second thought, I think the report could be accurate. The discussions probably went something like this:

Ernie: Hello?
Presti: Ernie, hey. How are you, man? Sam Presti calling.
Ernie: Hey Sam, how are you? Some lottery, eh?
Presti: Yeah, fukcing Clippers. Could there be a less deserving franchise of the Griffin kid?
Ernie: Seriously.
Presti: So you think you're going to see this new Night at the Museum flick? Looks kind of fun for a PG movie.
Ernie: You know, I just may do that Sam. My wife is a big Ben Stiller fan.
Presti: Yeah. That franks and beans scene in Something About Mary was crazy! Say Ernie, what would you think about giving up Javale McGee to move up two spots in the draft -- maybe get your hands on Rubio or Thabeet,
Ernie: Thanks for thinking of us Sam, but we're real happy with Javale. We like the Rubio kid but not that much.
Presti: I figured, but thought I'd ask.
Ernie: No problem. Hey, sorry again about the whole living in Oklahoma thing.
Presti: Eh, dems da breaks. What are you gonna do?
Ernie: Sam, Bryan Colangelo is calling on the other line so I gotta take this.
Presti: Oh ok. I'll talk to you s--.
CLICK

well done

[Pollinator]

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and can then get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.

This kind of puts the #5 in proper perspective- you're not just getting, say, Harden, you're getting Harden plus a bigger stronger, nastier JaVale McGee. Thinking about it like that will hopefully keep Ernie Grunfeld from doing something stupid with the pick.

On the other hand, if the deal were McGee and #5 for Griffin at #1 ... well, you would just have to pull the trigger on that one.

Edited to add: the guy I would give up to move up in the draft to #2 or #3 would be Blatche. In fact, I think he just needs to go, period. That would only help the development of McGee and Young, or whichever one of the them is still on the team come next season.

[dobrojim]

I can't see McGee being traded that way. It's ludicrous.

I would keep Lawson in the G conversation along with the
guys already mentioned. He's a winner who dominated
the NCAAs and was the best player on the best team.
Plus I think his adjustment period could be pretty rapid.

[eltacoman]

Mcgee is going to be a stud in the next 2 years ... he will put Increadable HULK Musle on little bye little until we will be like dam!!!... he has the frame his shoulder or mamath that kid is going to be soo speacial.... i would be more disapointed than falling all the way back to the 5th foreal .... i think i would really cry Mcgee is our missing link

[LyricalRico]

On the other hand, if the deal were McGee and #5 for Griffin at #1 ... well, you would just have to pull the trigger on that one.

Interesting, but I don't think that would be enough.

[pancakes3]

my random thought inspired by CCJ's random thought: is rubio not bound by the 1-year-removed rule? if a kid drops out of HS and moves overseas to play pro ball, would that bypass the established system? Is this the next step in the total selling out of our youth?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and can then get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.

This kind of puts the #5 in proper perspective- you're not just getting, say, Harden, you're getting Harden plus a bigger stronger, nastier JaVale McGee. Thinking about it like that will hopefully keep Ernie Grunfeld from doing something stupid with the pick.

On the other hand, if the deal were McGee and #5 for Griffin at #1 ... well, you would just have to pull the trigger on that one.

Edited to add: the guy I would give up to move up in the draft to #2 or #3 would be Blatche. In fact, I think he just needs to go, period. That would only help the development of McGee and Young, or whichever one of the them is still on the team come next season.

Not me. I don't trade Javale and the #5 for Griffin .... unless I've traded Jamison for Carter/Hamilton plus, that is.

I would keep Javale and draft Blair and consider myself able to defend and score over Griffin, while paying Blair less when the Wizards play the Clippers.

Now in time, Griffin will go to the Hall of Fame. But just MAYBE all the winning won't stop with Blair, and MAYBE Javale's parents both being pro ballers, his mom coaching, him filling into his body, etc. will give the Wizards two guys who can ball for years to come, even if neither is Griffin.

I'm still not sure Blair, the guy who defends better, wont' be more successful at least in the short run than Griffin.

I would keep him and Javale over just Griffin. (But I could really regret it, I admit.)

[Rapsobsessed7]

so again would the raptors have to renounce parker, graham and marion to do stevensons contract + $5 for #9 because then i wouldnt do it. If we could keep marion by doing that than its a done deal by me and sign Delfino (we hold his rights). Anyways i saw some liked this idea but assuming the raptors buy a pick like BC has said

#9 (Derozan/Evans)
Dejuan Blair, Lawai, Terrence Williams bought

for

#5 James Harden

[Rafael122]

Things are looking up.

To recap:

Rubio doesn't want to play in Oklahoma or Memphis.

Would probably play in DC or Sacramento.

Memphis would take Thabeet as of 5/21/09.

Wizards have had discussions of sending McGee and the 5th to the Thunder for Rubio.

That's the only way we can get Rubio. No way he lasts at #4.

[nate33]

That McGee + #5 for #3 trade will never happen. I'm not in the slightest bit worried. EG isn't an idiot.

[miller31time]

A few questions for you, Raf....

1. Wouldn't Sacramento have the upper-hand in terms of trading with the Grizzlies or Thunder since they possess a higher pick and would likely give up much more for Rubio?

2. What would stop Memphis or Oklahoma City from drafting Rubio and selling high on him?

3. How do you know OKC would draft Thabeet (not saying you're wrong, but I just didn't realize this was public information)?

[Rafael122]

A few questions for you, Raf....

1. Wouldn't Sacramento have the upper-hand in terms of trading with the Grizzlies or Thunder since they possess a higher pick and would likely give up much more for Rubio?

2. What would stop Memphis or Oklahoma City from drafting Rubio and selling high on him?

3. How do you know OKC would draft Thabeet (not saying you're wrong, but I just didn't realize this was public information)?

1. No, especially with the Thunder. Thunder move back 1 spot. The Kings aren't going to give them much more than their own pick.

2. Because if his agent has said he doesn't want to play there, that pretty much diminishes any perceived...how can I call it...perceived advantage they might have.

3. OKC need a big man. I look at drafts where teams, especially lottery teams pick on need. Kings need a point, Thunder need a big man, etc.

[keynote]

Huh. I was secretly hoping that Rubio would pull a Danny Ferry/Eli Manning and start throwing his questionable availability around for leverage. Granted, it didn't work for Yi (initially), but Rubio is the one who will have to negotiate and swallow that hefty payout, not OKC or MEM. Yi didn't have any similar contractual encumbrances, if memory serves.

Any links on this?

As for SAC, miller: I'm sure they'd like to outbid the Wizards, but if the Wizards are willing to give up a young, rookie contract-having big with upside, can they match? Would OKC prefer Hawes+5, or McGee+5? I dunno. I like Hawes, but I don't think he has McGee's potenteial.

[TheKingOfVa360]

That McGee + #5 for #3 trade will never happen. I'm not in the slightest bit worried. EG isn't an idiot.

I agree, McGee is the future and he isn't going anywhere