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

[miller31time]

Those are all very good points Raf, but I guess the point I was trying to make is this - you don't gamble with players like McGee unless you're absolutely certain you know what you're getting in return. If we traded with the Thunder, for instance, but Memphis inexplicably took Rubio despite Ricky's agent's warning, we're screwed.

[keynote]

Well, the question is: will 5 + Blatche get it done? Blatche is inconsistent, but he's a decent defender, versatile, and still has loads of potential. And, of course, he's locked into a cheap deal.

I'm surprised that the Grizz are leaning towards Thabeet (if Ford is to be trusted). Marc Gasol, at a burly 7'1", can't shift to the 4--can he? That's why I thought MEM was a better recipient of the 5 + Blatche package: more than anything else, they need a decent, cheap starting PF.

[Rafael122]

So all of a sudden this guy is untouchable?

A year ago, some were calling him a bust and project. Is this team going to be like the Bulls or Trail Blazers where they don't trade their young players b/c they are enamored with their upside? Or are we going to grab this draft by the balls and make a move.

It's a two man draft. Not to mention we have the 2nd pick in the 2nd round. So we could probably grab a big there.

Miller - I get that. It's probably why something will happen on draft night, maybe Ernie has a pre-arranged deal in case Memphis takes Thabeet. Draft night deals don't happen on the whim, these things are probably discussed ad nauseum for weeks, and if they are able to pull it off, they will.

You've got to take risks with this team. Rubio is a player who could be a major boost to this team. Can you say the same with McGee? On top of that, Saunders doesn't have patience for young bigs. Look at what he did with Amir Johnson.

[keynote]

Those are all very good points Raf, but I guess the point I was trying to make is this - you don't gamble with players like McGee unless you're absolutely certain you know what you're getting in return. If we traded with the Thunder, for instance, but Memphis inexplicably took Rubio despite Ricky's agent's warning, we're screwed.

Well, there's no reason to make the trade official before the draft, unless the Wizards are truly fine with taking Thabeet. Many a draft day trade is announced after the effective picks have been taken, no?

[LyricalRico]

A year ago, some were calling him a bust and project. Is this team going to be like the Bulls or Trail Blazers where they don't trade their young players b/c they are enamored with their upside? Or are we going to grab this draft by the balls and make a move.

I agree wholeheartedly with the principle, I would just rather apply it to Blatche/Young instead of McGee.

[keynote]

So all of a sudden this guy is untouchable?

A year ago, some were calling him a bust and project. Is this team going to be like the Bulls or Trail Blazers where they don't trade their young players b/c they are enamored with their upside? Or are we going to grab this draft by the balls and make a move.

It's a two man draft. Not to mention we have the 2nd pick in the 2nd round. So we could probably grab a big there.

Count me in the camp of folks that would push on Rubio for 5 + McGee. I wouldn't be morally outraged, but I wouldn't be dancing in the aisles, either.

The thing is, McGee is still ~2 years away from filling out enough to contribute solid minutes, in my opinion. If we think that a Rubio+Arenas backcourt can work, then having a project like McGee whilst having a reject like Stevenson starting the 2 is a luxury we can't afford. So, I'd understand the deal. Not to mention the fact that we'd only take on an incremental increase in salary, thereby improving our likelihood of resigning Wood and McGuire.

[Ji]

Looks like we are getting rubio because he isnt playing for a $# small market team. No Memphis..no OKC and certainly no Sacramento...

but I am guessing he wont pull out if we draft him. Rubio might be ours on draft night!

[keynote]

A year ago, some were calling him a bust and project. Is this team going to be like the Bulls or Trail Blazers where they don't trade their young players b/c they are enamored with their upside? Or are we going to grab this draft by the balls and make a move.

I agree wholeheartedly with the principle, I would just rather apply it to Blatche/Young instead of McGee.

Hear, hear. But, Blatche and Young have played enough minutes to allow their warts to show. If we swindled MEM or OKC into taking Young+5 for Rubio, I'd be dancing in the streets. Blatche at least has unteachable length.

[miller31time]

So all of a sudden this guy is untouchable?

A year ago, some were calling him a bust and project. Is this team going to be like the Bulls or Trail Blazers where they don't trade their young players b/c they are enamored with their upside? Or are we going to grab this draft by the balls and make a move.

It's a two man draft. Not to mention we have the 2nd pick in the 2nd round. So we could probably grab a big there.

Count me in the camp of folks that would push on Rubio for 5 + McGee. I wouldn't be morally outraged, but I wouldn't be dancing in the aisles, either.

The thing is, McGee is still ~2 years away from filling out enough to contribute solid minutes, in my opinion. If we think that a Rubio+Arenas backcourt can work, then having a project like McGee whilst having a reject like Stevenson starting the 2 is a luxury we can't afford. So, I'd understand the deal. Not to mention the fact that we'd only take on an incremental increase in salary, thereby improving our likelihood of resigning Wood and McGuire.

I think pretty much everyone (including myself) would easily do McGee + 5th for Rubio...but that's not really what's on the table. The reality is McGee + 5th for the potential to get Rubio.

[Rafael122]

Well like I said, if there is such a deal, it will get done on draft night and it will get done if Memphis passes on Rubio.

And the reason why we should pay far more attention than we should is b/c Rubio's agent says he doesn't want to play in Memphis or Oklahoma City. Memphis, according to Ford (I know) really like Thabeet. On top of that, they have like 4 point guards. Rubio says he doesn't want to play in OKC, which is fine, b/c they don't need a point guard.

Is it June 25 yet?

[Ji]

man..if we could of just dropped to 3 instead of 5..so many more options including trading to #1 to get Blake

we suck

[Ji]

would portland do Javale and #5 for ODen?

[Ji]

CJ will love this from Draft express

Draft Buzz

A poll of representatives from a good chunk of the league indicates some interesting trends.

-Jrue Holiday in the words of one executive, is “moving up more than anyone in this draft” right now, and could find himself in the 6-10 range when it’s all said and done. He even has an outside chance of being selected 4th by Sacramento, and he will indeed be working out there tomorrow from what we’re told. New York (8), Toronto (9) and Milwaukee (10) appear to be especially interested.

-The other “big riser” in this draft may be DeJuan Blair. Reports are swirling about Blair measuring a legit 6-7 in shoes (with a 7-2 wingspan) as well as losing as much as 15 pounds since arriving at IMG Academy. A slew of NBA teams have reportedly been out to evaluate him and some of the other top prospects training at the facility, and the buzz is growing around him every day seemingly. Milwaukee at 10, New Jersey at 11 and Indiana at 13 appear to be his sweet spots at the moment, and if he falls past there, he apparently will not get past Phoenix.

[LyricalRico]

would portland do Javale and #5 for ODen?

I wouldn't do McGee for Oden straight up. Greg Oden is brittle and foul prone, and I question how much potential is there for him to develop offensively. McGee is the better longterm prospect IMO.

[Ji]

would portland do Javale and #5 for ODen?

I wouldn't do McGee for Oden straight up. Greg Oden is brittle and foul prone, and I question how much potential is there for him to develop offensively. McGee is the better longterm prospect IMO.

so you would really be upset if we got Oden straight up for McGee...i still think Oden can be a force in the league and now would be the time to trade for him while his stock is at its all time low.

[keynote]

Oden's knee + Wizards trainers = apocalypse.

[fishercob]

Javale + #5 for Rubio doesn't feel right to me. I'm still far from sold on Rubio being an NBA star -- let alone soon.

That said, if Ernie could parlay our mid-late '08 first and our crappy '08-09 season into a 18 year old PG being compared to Kidd and Nash, that would qualify as impressive GM-ing in my book.

For all we know, they've seen enough of McGee to believe that he'll tantalize with potential but won't be a consistent contributor for another 4 years. I doubt it, but it's conceivable.

[redtears03]

How would you guys feel about a deal centered around #5 + DeShawn for Speights + #17. Lou Williams could be added for Songalia if needed.

[WizarDynasty]

Yeah we are not trading mcgee...his attitude alone makes him central to our future. Grunfeld has the assets on this team to move up two spots...memphis gets a draft pick just for being lucky...but mcgee is off the table in secret negotiation. We have plenty of talent useful to memphis. Either way memphis knows we aren't even taking a player off their board which is why javale isn't needed.

[fishercob]

How would you guys feel about a deal centered around #5 + DeShawn for Speights + #17. Lou Williams could be added for Songalia if needed.

I'd be very interested in 5+Songaila+Stevenson for Williams+Speights+17.