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

[Sid the Squid]

I posted that not as evidence..Just as a little tidbit I thought you guys might want to see from today's workout. You really are a blankhead.

[Wizardspride]

I posted that not as evidence..Just as a little tidbit I thought you guys might want to see from today's workout. You really are a blankhead.

It's all good... and I appreciate you posting the workout.

[VA_story]

Why the hell would Ernie be willing to just hand over the 5th pick for basically trash?

If we aren't getting out of Jamison's deal then we might as well roll the dice and keep the pick. We will probably select Hill and have the entire team standing on the paremeter jacking jumpshots...no inside presence whatsoever.

We need to get a 3 team trade going and somehow get Amare to DC while sending Jamison elsewhere. Too bad teams aren't too crazy about paying a 33 year old 33 mil over the next 3 years.

I still say we should have traded jamison and arenas or let them both walk and start over. No need to pay them all this money to be mediocre. I don't know about you guys but I'm not satisfied with having 2nd round celebrations with the matching t-shirt.

OK I'm done ranting

[Benjammin]

I posted that not as evidence..Just as a little tidbit I thought you guys might want to see from today's workout. You really are a blankhead.

Thank you for posting it. Again, I didn't even say that thin slice analysis is bad, but if you feel the need to call me a blankhead I hope that makes you feel better. Perhaps while you're out to the grocery store tonight or tomorrow you could also pick up a sense of humor and the ability to take a little kidding.

[Rafael122]

Thabeet did cancel his workout with the Grizzlies. Very interesting.

[LyricalRico]

If Minnesota really wants Thabeet, and Thabeet is on the board at #5, then a trade-down would be a no-brainer. Just give 'em #5 + Etan + Pech for #6 + Miller. Basically, we get Miller for free.

I had a similar idea a few weeks ago when Minny was rumored to be enamored with Tyreke Evans. The beauty is that we move down to 6 but still have all of our other options available. We can still go after Amare or take Curry and deal him to Portland or NY (although NY really doesn't have anything we want.

But the big question is how does Thabeet slip past OKC? That's the key. And frankly I don't see them taking a guard over a 7'3 defensive prospect.

[Ruzious]

If Minnesota really wants Thabeet, and Thabeet is on the board at #5, then a trade-down would be a no-brainer. Just give 'em #5 + Etan + Pech for #6 + Miller. Basically, we get Miller for free.

I had a similar idea a few weeks ago when Minny was rumored to be enamored with Tyreke Evans. The beauty is that we move down to 6 but still have all of our other options available. We can still go after Amare or take Curry and deal him to Portland or NY (although NY really doesn't have anything we want.

But the big question is how does Thabeet slip past OKC? That's the key. And frankly I don't see them taking a guard over a 7'3 defensive prospect.

Evans is our chance for glory - in that he's the only guy who could slip into the top 4 that probably doesn't belong there. He's just so hard to evaluate, and he does perhaps have the potential to end up the 2nd best player in the draft. If he goes top 4, we're in much better shape - which we can always screw up. Btw, I'm totally clueless about what the Wiz are going to do... and about many other things. It'll be a fun week here. Happy Fathers Day to the dads here.

[BigA]

Man, I hope all these rumors are true.
<snip>

Could it be that one or more teams looking to trade out are putting out disinformation about possible trades behind them to spark interest in their own picks?

[Dat2U]

Evans is our chance for glory - in that he's the only guy who could slip into the top 4 that probably doesn't belong there. He's just so hard to evaluate, and he does perhaps have the potential to end up the 2nd best player in the draft. If he goes top 4, we're in much better shape - which we can always screw up. Btw, I'm totally clueless about what the Wiz are going to do... and about many other things. It'll be a fun week here. Happy Fathers Day to the dads here.

Well of course I disagree. I've had Evans as a top 4 choice for weeks long before 99% of the draftniks and beat writers thought it was possible. Props to DCZards for being on that bandwagon too. I also had Curry pegged this high as well, and quiet as kept, I think there's an outside shot he goes to OKC at #3.

To me the best scenario is a draft where Hasheem Thabeet & James Harden are gone by #4. That means there's a 100% chance neither will end up in a Wiz uni. It also means either Rubio, Curry or Evans will be there at #5.

Ther only scenario I'd want to see us taking Jordan Hill is if were making the pick for Phoenix so they can send us Amare.

Back to Harden, From everything I've read he either goes to OKC or he ends up being there at #5. I don't by the Harden to Memphis rumors. Plus they seem hard up for either Thabeet or a trade that involves them drafting Rubio and sending him elsewhere. Harden would be a good fit with OKC but when you discount the size difference b/w the two, its hard to argue that Curry isn't the better player or is more skilled. With OKC having Westbrook in the backcourt, Curry can play off the ball and guard PGs on D as Westbrook is more than capable of holding his own against SGs defensively.

1. Griffin - mortal lock he's the pick
2. Thabeet or they draft Rubio to trade him
3. Harden or Curry (various reports peg Presti as choosing b/w these two)
4. Rubio will drop no lower than here if he's available, otherwise its Flynn IMO.
5. Curry is a slight favorite b/c of trade value but I think Flip would love to have him as well. Otherwise its Hill for trade purposes or Evans.

[DCZards]

But the big question is how does Thabeet slip past OKC? That's the key. And frankly I don't see them taking a guard over a 7'3 defensive prospect.

I can't see Thabeet getting past Memphis at 2. The two players that will definitely be gone by the time the Zards draft at 5 are Griffin and Thabeet. After that, it's a real crapshoot. I can see OKC grabbing either Harden or Curry at 3, particulary since, as Dat points out, Westbrook is an awesome defender who could make up for the size/defensive shortcomings of a Curry. A Westbrook/Curry backcourt could prove to be scary.

Sac might draft Evans at 4, which would be a shame since I'd really like to see Tyreke in a Zards uni and playing next to GA. So at 5 we're probably looking at a trade, drafting Rubio (who I hope we trade) or Jordan Hill, who the Zards should only draft if they're convinced Blatche will never turn out to be the player some of us think he can be.

[closg00]

Wiz working-out Nick Calathes tomorrow That's the most exciting news to make me sit-up and take-notice in a while. There is zero chance that Calathes will fall to our 2nd round pick, so I hope he's on our list of trade-down candidates. Man, Thursday can't get here soon enough.

[Benjammin]

^^^
That is an interesting piece of news. I understand that the euro team Calathes is going to play for is well coached and the hope is that Calathes will continue to develop through gaining experience over there. Maybe the Wizards can finagle a late first round pick for their second and some trinkets from a team that does not want to draft a guy late in the first.

[pancakes3]

remember when jason kapono said that if he had played euroball and was named yason kaponovich, he would've been a lotto pick? i think this is doubly true for nick calathes.

[Wizards2Lottery]

We could use a three point shooter badly. This team is filled with guards who are miserable shooters.

[Kanyewest]

Man, I hope all these rumors are true.

If Minnesota really wants Thabeet, and Thabeet is on the board at #5, then a trade-down would be a no-brainer. Just give 'em #5 + Etan + Pech for #6 + Miller. Basically, we get Miller for free.

If I'm Minnesota though, I'd wait until Washington actually drafts Thabeet before making that deal. They have to be aware that Thabeet isn't needed in Washington. They'd be foolish to make the trade when they might just be able to draft him outright.

If Rubio falls to #5, we should be able to explore any number of trades. That Phoenix deal would be nice. I'm sure Portland would listed to offers where we get Rudy and cap relief for Rubio. We can probably land the #24 while we're at it.

Hypothetically, the Wizards could convince the T-Wolves that they are drafting Thabeet because there is a good chance that Haywood could could leave in free agency and are looking for guys to fill his role for years to come.

[doclinkin]

1. Griffin - mortal lock he's the pick
2. Thabeet or they draft Rubio to trade him
3. Harden or Curry (various reports peg Presti as choosing b/w these two)
4. Rubio will drop no lower than here if he's available, otherwise its Flynn IMO.
5. Curry is a slight favorite b/c of trade value but I think Flip would love to have him as well. Otherwise its Hill for trade purposes or Evans.

I'm thinking its:

1. Griff to Clips
2. Rubio for Portland or Minny
3. Thabeet to Thunder
4. Tyreke
5. Memphis takes Harden (Wiz landed Minneapolis' next year's pick unprotected in a Mike Miller swap) --OR-- Wiz take Curry
6. Memphis takes Jordan Hill --OR-- Minny takes Harden
7. Curry to GSW --OR-- James Johnson if Curry is gone.
8. Jonny Flynn to NYC --OR-- Jordan HIl if he's still on the board
...
18. Wiz stash Nick Calathes in Europe. (Consider Sam Young, Omri Casspi or Chase Buddinger, decide to save $ instead).
32. Depends on roster space after the Minny trade. Best Player if we've got room, otherwise Draft & Stash or sell to Portland for cash.

[LyricalRico]

^ So all we get for the #5 is Mike Miller, the #18, and a 2010 first? Even if the Wolves take back both Etan and DeBrick that's still not a lot of value coming back to us doc.

[Severn Hoos]

1. Griffin - mortal lock he's the pick
2. Thabeet or they draft Rubio to trade him
3. Harden or Curry (various reports peg Presti as choosing b/w these two)
4. Rubio will drop no lower than here if he's available, otherwise its Flynn IMO.
5. Curry is a slight favorite b/c of trade value but I think Flip would love to have him as well. Otherwise its Hill for trade purposes or Evans.

I'm thinking its:

1. Griff to Clips
2. Rubio for Portland or Minny
3. Thabeet to Thunder
4. Tyreke
5. Memphis takes Harden (Wiz landed Minneapolis' next year's pick unprotected in a Mike Miller swap) --OR-- Wiz take Curry
6. Memphis takes Jordan Hill --OR-- Minny takes Harden
7. Curry to GSW --OR-- James Johnson if Curry is gone.
8. Jonny Flynn to NYC --OR-- Jordan HIl if he's still on the board
...
18. Wiz stash Nick Calathes in Europe. (Consider Sam Young, Omri Casspi or Chase Buddinger, decide to save $ instead).
32. Depends on roster space after the Minny trade. Best Player if we've got room, otherwise Draft & Stash or sell to Portland for cash.

Maybe there's some detailed trade scenario where the pick moved between Memphis & Minnesota (part of the trade-up for #2, perhaps?) Or is it just the same thing I always do, mixing up the M & M teams? I can never remember who's on which team, and it didn't help that they swapped picks last year. I mean really, neither team is all that good - the NBA should just consolidate the two into one team and call it Memphisota.

Conley/Foye
Mayo/Miller
Gay/Gomes
Love/Warrick
Jefferson/Gasol

Add in two top-6 picks (Thabeet? Rubio? Evans?) and you'd have a real team...

[barelyawake]

Doc, now THERE'S perhaps the only Mike Miller trade I'd drool over -- with every other one making me slam my head against the keyboard. Kudos. Didn't think it could be done. Banking on Minnie being terrible, especially minus Miller and plus a rookie, is a great bet.

Face it folks. We lost this draft when we lost Blake. But, we could still win the next one. Sure, if we can get Bosh with the pick do it. The next highest player (besides a swap for a guy like Bosh) that we could get with the pick is John Wall. A lottery ticket for John Wall is huge. Kobe huge. Again, watch the clips of him. But, not only that. Review the draft for 2010. We are debating over guys like Evans. Evans will get played on both ends of the floor all day by a high school John Wall (forget about a developed one). I'd rather use Young to get a vet SG, and bank a 2010 pick with our pick, than waste it on Evans.

[WizarDynasty]

^^^
That is an interesting piece of news. I understand that the euro team Calathes is going to play for is well coached and the hope is that Calathes will continue to develop through gaining experience over there. Maybe the Wizards can finagle a late first round pick for their second and some trinkets from a team that does not want to draft a guy late in the first.

I think we pass on any below average defenders with great passing ability, otherwise, we go back to the days of steve blake.
Only moves on this roster are getting above average defenders with the upsize to be above average on offense. If a player is above average defender in highschool and college, it guaranteed he won't be above average in the nba. Pass.