The What Should We Do With the 5th Pick II: IBJ Edition

[LyricalRico]

They should keep the pick because more than likely they aren't going to get a player back who is going to make them an instant contender against next years Celtics, Cavs, or Lakers, Orlando. And a lot of teams out in the league today are improving rapidly especially in the East. Denver is going to make another run at it as well. And a lot of teams in the East are all improving quickly such as Chicago with Rose blossoming, Hawks, Sixers and even the Bobcats. Unless Washington can snag an immediate star, hopefully for Jamison and fillers, to improve upon some defensive areas, then yes. I see this team, with a broken down Arenas making a serious run at it.

A pretty standard opinion held by 90% of outsiders. I think people underestimate Arenas (who is fully healthy now), have no idea how good Haywood is (who will finally play big minutes cuz EJ is gone), and forget that we now have a legit NBA head coach in Saunders (who is a proven winner who's teams are solid defensively).

Is this team perfect? No. Do most Wiz fans understand that we're probably not winning a title this upcoming season? Sure. But to say that we've got broken down players and no chance in the East betrays either a lack of knowledge or a lack of understanding. The sad part is that the media, who should be informed, will have the same opinions. That's fine - we'll just take it out on whoever we play.

[fishercob]

Excellent post, Rico. Agree 100%. And I expect this year's team to play with a complete chip on their shoulder. The lack of respect in the NBA community -- media especially -- is going to be a huge motivator for this team. As a fan, I'm chomping at the bit to see them back on the court.

The Wizards are going to be really good this year. You saw what the Heat looked like with Wade out -- and then back in the lineup. I expect that type of improvement, but better from the Wizards.

[pancakes3]

btw, i think calathes signed with a greek club and is not in the draft anymore.

earl clark isn't being mentioned because crudely put - he sucks. at 21 years old, with his physical gifts he should be putting up better numbers than 15/8 on sub-500 shooting. contrary to what some others have posted, he doesn't have 3 point range, doesn't have great handles, and isn't a very efficient scorer (sub 500 shooting from 2pters).

[LyricalRico]

btw, i think calathes signed with a greek club and is not in the draft anymore.

He did sign with a Greek club but that doesn't remove him from being eligible to be drafted. He'd basically be treated like a European player who can be picked but stay overseas for while before coming over.

[doclinkin]

btw, i think calathes signed with a greek club and is not in the draft anymore.

He signed with a Greek club but remains in the draft. Essentially if you need to burn a draft pick but not take on salary you can take his rights and let the Euro leagues train him up the rest of the way. He's negotiated easy-option buy-outs his first couple years.

Point being if you trade down but fail to clear roster space you can land a 6'6" PG who hits from outside who comes over in a year or so after a notch of Pro seasoning with a high-quality organization. A Tim Legler with PG skills rookie with pro experience. As a Greek national he's less likely to be starved for floor time due to natural national chauvinism unlike the usual american kids who get hit with the 'show-me' chip early. Plus with his Greek passport he doesn't count against a team's 2-American limit, doesn't rob the situation of upside.

As to his talent and upside, hey I've seen him play. Few tall PG's actually effectively use their height, most remain handicapped by lesser quick-twitch speed than the smaller boogie guards. Nick has superior court vision takes full advantage of his length and sightlines. On the drive he's shifty, nice change of pace, can hit from outside or make a few moves with the ball in his hand to attract the defense then either finish with contact or hit the open man when the help commits.

No high flyer, not the quickest step, but he's got solid balance and is stronger than expected --will snatch boards either contested or in open space with anticipation and effort. Basically he fills checkboxes in all the relevant basketball skills for any player, and as a PG has the requisite situational precognition to play both teams at once.

Shortfalls: he's tall without a large, uh, fundament so his high center of gravity means he can get bumped off a spot. He's not the quickest side-to-side. But he's a willing defender, undaunted, active, positionally smart if not over-aggressive.

Again: Tim Legler with passing skills and PG mindset, somewhat better defense, better rebounding. That's a need position on any team. He'll do well in Europe. Becomes a back-pocket asset that costs you nothing if you're trying instead to sell the pick but get no good bids. Down the line he becomes a possible solid player. Yes I like him better with a 2nd round pick, but doubt he'll be there.

[DCZards]

Wizards should look at Evans. I love his ball handling skills and play making ability and I strongly believe this is a guy outside of Griffin that has a strong chance to be a potential super star in this league. I see him as a slasher who can break teams defensive schemes and absolutely kill them once he gets in the lanes and can either score with his strong frame or look to pass as he's got point guard skills. He can improve upon his jumper as he matures as he still young. He has an amazing NBA body already. Very young and extremely talented. He's one player I'd love to see playing along side Arenas. If Harden is off the boards, I would not be disappointed as a Wizards fan taking him.

You're description of Evans is on the mark, optms. The only thing I would add is that, out of the other guard options the Zards may be looking at (i.e. DeRozan, Curry, Harden), Evans willl turn out to be the best defender, imo, and perimeter D is something the Zards desperately need. With his size, length and athleticism, I expect Evans to be able to defend the PG,SG&SF positions. Like you, I believe Evans could turn out to be a superstar.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Does anyone know of future workouts for guys in the lottery range for the wiz?

I heard of Steph Curry but anyone else?

[Wizardspride]

A pretty standard opinion held by 90% of outsiders. I think people underestimate Arenas (who is fully healthy now), have no idea how good Haywood is (who will finally play big minutes cuz EJ is gone), and forget that we now have a legit NBA head coach in Saunders (who is a proven winner who's teams are solid defensively).

Is this team perfect? No. Do most Wiz fans understand that we're probably not winning a title this upcoming season? Sure. But to say that we've got broken down players and no chance in the East betrays either a lack of knowledge or a lack of understanding. The sad part is that the media, who should be informed, will have the same opinions. That's fine - we'll just take it out on whoever we play.

[AgentOvechkin08]

^^^ +100

[forthepeople]

I like Evans but I think you guys are overrating his athleticism. Hes definitely no D Rose. Hes very smooth and he uses his length really well to beat defenders. I see more Joe Johnson in his game. Definitely needs to prove he can hit the 3 consistently.

[BigA]

The Raps draft thread is at 139 pages as of this post.

Take that up with the Raps mods.

What if you got a cry for help from a tortured Raps fan who only wanted an external mod to come in and enforce the rules?

[Fitz303]

Hey guys.. There was a blip in one of the articles lately that Curry is still planning on working out for the Thunder, Bucks, and Blazers. If this is true, the Blazer must have a serious shot at moving into the top 8. Rumors have been swirling about the Blazers interest for a while now, and the Wizards pick seems like the one they would target. This has been gone over here before, and I know many Blazers fans would throw a fit, but if the Blazers put a package in place centered around Rudy, would that be worth the 5th pick to you guys?

[closg00]

Hey guys.. There was a blip in one of the articles lately that Curry is still planning on working out for the Thunder, Bucks, and Blazers. If this is true, the Blazer must have a serious shot at moving into the top 8. Rumors have been swirling about the Blazers interest for a while now, and the Wizards pick seems like the one they would target. This has been gone over here before, and I know many Blazers fans would throw a fit, but if the Blazers put a package in place centered around Rudy, would that be worth the 5th pick to you guys?

We'll take Rudy for that pick, thank you very much I wouldn't mind somehow getting Bayless, he totally abused us in SL last year.

[Fitz303]

Im just going on the few things that I've been hearing lately. The Blazers are said to be high on Curry, and the Blazers are also sold on Bayless. Well IF (and thats a huge if) thats all true, I would imagine we would be willing to/have to let Rudy go to get the 5th pick. Having Bayless and Curry backing up the backcourt for a few years until 1 of them takes over the starting PG spot, while the other one plays backup like Rudy did this year, would ultimately be the goal. Roy - 37mpg, Bayless - 33mpg, Curry - 30mpg would probably be the goal if this were all true

[LyricalRico]

^ You can keep Bayless but I've been posting #5-for-Fernandez deals for a couple weeks now. The one that makes the most sense to me is #5+Stevenson for Fernandez+#24.

[omegatronic3]

theres a bunch of quality players either on the block or in Free agency...

allegedly on the block there are guys like:
Rip
Amare
Fernandez

freeagents:
rasheed
Boozer
Iverson
Okur
Marion
Turkalu

I would say we should have a shot at packaging the pick along with a contract for a sign and trade deal. The downside of acquiring a big name is you gotta pay them..so getting Amare probably means giving up either Jamizon or Butler.

Judging from a workout I saw of Evens I'm not the impressed. Larry Hughes is probably a good comparison....he'll always be that Combo guy who isnt great at either role but decent at both. I'm not sure versatility outweighs quality. Likewise Hill looks like a project and is more of a finesse guy when what we need is more of a power guy. It seems to me the only guy outside of the #1 pick with value is Curry ....so I say picking Curry in a sign and trade deal is probably our best option.

[Ruzious]

^ You can keep Bayless but I've been posting #5-for-Fernandez deals for a couple weeks now. The one that makes the most sense to me is #5+Stevenson for Fernandez+#24.

That'd be great, but I would expect that Portland would rather have Fernandez more than the 5th pick. And to ask them to take on Stevenson's contract plus give us their 1st... eh, that's a
GM of the year move if you can do it.

[pancakes3]

i dunno, i think they're really jonesing for a point guard. they'd be the team that best maximized curry's talent (he'd get more pt in NY but playing for portland would be a better use of his time). however, if it came to playing hardball, i'd probably cave in and be willing to upgrade the trade to 5 + Young.

[nate33]

i dunno, i think they're really jonesing for a point guard. they'd be the team that best maximized curry's talent (he'd get more pt in NY but playing for portland would be a better use of his time). however, if it came to playing hardball, i'd probably cave in and be willing to upgrade the trade to 5 + Young.

I wouldn't give up #5 + Young, but I'd be willing to let them keep their first rounder. Just make it: #5 + Stevenson for Rudy.

[NBAMAN2006]

What about this idea...

Washington trades Darius Songalia or DeShaun Stevenson, #5 & recieves Travis Outlaw & #10.
Portland trades Travis Outlaw, Jerryd Bayless, #24, 3M & recieves Songalia or DeBrick, Fransisco Elson, #5
Milwaukee trades Fransisco Elson, #10 & recieves Jerryd Bayless, #24 & 3M


Washington dumps a contract, only moves down 5 spots and lands a rotation caliber player in Outlaw.
Portland takes on a bad contract to land Curry at #5.
Milwaukee, convinced they will loose Sessions, deals to get a young PG along with recieving a later 1st and some cash money.

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