Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis

dandridge 10 · Post #41 » by **dandridge 10** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:55 pm

Well, there is one thing we learned. Leonsis word is not gold, ie., "Arenas is not going anywhere."

fishercob · Post #42 » by **fishercob** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:55 pm

Press conference coming at 5:15

mohammed10 · Post #43 » by **mohammed10** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:57 pm

no D in Hibachi wrote:Can we make it a Wiz board rule to refer to Lewis as 'Shart' until he proves he worthy of a more dignified name?

Ha ha... +1

Induveca · Post #44 » by **Induveca** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:59 pm

In my time as a wizards fan i've seen my two favorite players shipped out for complete garbage. No clue how Grunfeld didn't get a pick at the very least out of this. We got shafted...

Wizards2Lottery · Post #45 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:00 pm

dandridge 10 wrote:Well, there is one thing we learned. Leonsis word is not gold, ie., "Arenas is not going anywhere."

I don't doubt Ted's sincerity. But if Gil didn't want to be here, then why keep him? As much as this move was to rid us of a bad contract, I think it was also done to get Gilbert into a winning situation and outside of the current mess we are in.

Wizards2Lottery · Post #46 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:13 pm

I heard Gilbert Arenas was really appreciative that the #wizards sent him to the place where he really wanted to be. He's in great spirits.

7 minutes ago via ÜberTwitter

MrMichaelLee
Michael Lee

Nothing but love Gil. Nothing but love.

Post #47 » by **LyricalRico** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:14 pm

Ruzious wrote:I think the key thing in the trade that most of us didn't realize until today (at least I didn't) is that only 10 mil of Lewis' 22.7 mil may be guaranteed for 2012/2013 - saving the Wiz up to 12 mil that season compared to what they would have had to pay Gil - not to mention the 22 or so mil in 2013/2014 that Gil is due. That makes this a smart move by the Wiz. It would have been better for the Wiz to trade for Carter, but as some of us said for a long time - Orlando would had to have been nuts to do that.

Most importantly, everyone can finally move forward. Good luck to Arenas. It'll be interesting to see how he fits there - now that he does have a great big man to play with.

Ruz with the voice of reason, as usual.

:bowdown:

DCZards · Post #48 » by **DCZards** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:15 pm

Hate to see GA go. Always of favorite of mine--in good or bad times--and a good-hearted kid. But I guess it was inevitable....and probably best for the Zards in the short and long-run. I'm not a big fan of Lewis, but those calling him "garbage" are way off target.

Best to you in Orl, Gil!

Well, off to see the Wizards beat the Heat!

Mizerooskie · Post #49 » by **Mizerooskie** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:15 pm

Very happy with this deal, and I'll probably get bashed for it, but whatever.

Off the court, the situation between the Wizards and Arenas had become untenable. The gun incident marred his rep in the eyes of plenty of fans, and he did nothing but mope this season. It was obvious he didn't want to be in DC.

On the court, you had a player who relied on explosive athleticism to become one of the best scorers in the league. But that was 5 years ago. Then his knees were destroyed, and very little of that explosiveness is left in his game anymore. He's also been replaced as lead guard by the best prospect the Wizards have had in decades.

I'm frankly shocked anyone would take on Gil's contract, considering his health issues, term left, and salary. There was always the guarantee that a bad contract would have to be coming back. I actually think Grunfeld did a good job getting one with shorter term.

One of the few good moves Grunfeld has made outside of the draft this summer, IMO.

mhd · Post #50 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:16 pm

Lyrical, per the post comments section, if Lewis is HEALTHY, that least year is garunteed. Lewis sucks and those incentives are probably going to be easy to achieve. If this team wants to rebuild, what is the point in playing Lewis. He won't rebound, cannot dribble, cannot pass. Booker should get all of his PT.

mhd · Post #51 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:20 pm

Mizerooskie wrote:Very happy with this deal, and I'll probably get bashed for it, but whatever.

Off the court, the situation between the Wizards and Arenas had become untenable. The gun incident marred his rep in the eyes of plenty of fans, and he did nothing but mope this season. It was obvious he didn't want to be in DC.

On the court, you had a player who relied on explosive athleticism to become one of the best scorers in the league. But that was 5 years ago. Then his knees were destroyed, and very little of that explosiveness is left in his game anymore. He's also been replaced as lead guard by the best prospect the Wizards have had in decades.

I'm frankly shocked anyone would take on Gil's contract, considering his health issues, term left, and salary. There was always the guarantee that a bad contract would have to be coming back. I actually think Grunfeld did a good job getting one with shorter term.

One of the few good moves Grunfeld has made outside of the draft this summer, IMO.

Considering Lewis makes more per year than Arenas, we just wasted basically this off-season to potentially get a good FA. Arenas is a better player than Rashard Lewis. Heck, Josh Howard coming off an ACL is a better player than rashard Lewis. When Ernie Grunfeld with a straight face says Lewis can "defend", that is a slap in the mouth of all the true diehards on this board.

"Plenty of fans" have no clue about the team. We are the biggest diehard Wiz fans, and all know Lewis sucks. I wonder what the fans will think about the fact that Lewis is a roider. Arenas did more for this community than any athlete has.

BanndNDC · Post #52 » by **BanndNDC** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:21 pm

This deal sucks. Grunfeld swallows. Leonsis fluffs.

Seriously, what is Grunfeld's obsession with overpaid finesse forwards? Can't believe he couldn't even get Orton thrown in.

I guess Blatche is the next to go (for nothing) since he's now redundant and we're stuck paying Lewis $20m a year.

I'm done with the team for the rest of the year, since there's nothing of consequence to watch and I am completely sick of Grunfeld. This makes 3 completely blown season in a row and all we have to show for it is John Wall, this year's lottery pick, maybe Seraphim and a bench player in Booker. 3 completely horrendous seasons of misery and the dumping of 3 former allstars and 1 good player for less than nothing. This is the winter of my discontent. Boo-urns and bah-humbug.

Post #53 » by **WizStorm** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:22 pm

I'm happy for Gil to be put into a pretty darn good situation. At least I will have a team I can root for in the playoffs this year.

Very underwhelmed about the deal for the Wizards itself, but am a very slight bit more heartened if there is indeed significant cost savings in that final year.

mhd · Post #54 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:23 pm

EG on the deal:

This was a way to possibly free up cap room for us down the road and also get some front-court help," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a telephone interview. "Rashard can shoot, rebound, play some defense and it never hurts when you have a player like John Wall to have another perimeter shooter

WHAT A LOAD OF BS!!!! Rashard Lewis can rebound?????? Rashard Lewis can defend??????
Stop it. Don't sell that to true diehards. Ernie is a charlatan. Just tell the truth. You did it to save money and not because Lewis is a good player. Josh Howard, IMO, is a better player now, even after the ACL than Lewis is.

fishercob · Post #55 » by **fishercob** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:24 pm

Press conference: http://www.csnwashington.com/pages/live_stream

Wizards2Lottery · Post #56 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:25 pm

mhd wrote:EG on the deal:

This was a way to possibly free up cap room for us down the road and also get some front-court help," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a telephone interview. "Rashard can shoot, rebound, play some defense and it never hurts when you have a player like John Wall to have another perimeter shooter

WHAT A LOAD OF BS!!!! Rashard Lewis can rebound?????? Rashard Lewis can defend??????
Stop it. Don't sell that to true diehards. Ernie is a charlatan. Just tell the truth. You did it to save money and not because Lewis is a good player. Josh Howard, IMO, is a better player now, even after the ACL than Lewis is.

Ernie will never say it like it is and I don't hold that against him.

But I am pretty much sick of him. He didn't earn the right to rebuild what he created.

ADoaN17 · Post #57 » by **ADoaN17** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:26 pm

I think this trade was needed for the Wizards. They had to move past the old Wizards and start building around Wall. Hopefully Lewis can produce like he did his first year in Orl.

Post #58 » by **WizStorm** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:27 pm

Wizards2Lottery wrote:
mhd wrote:EG on the deal:

This was a way to possibly free up cap room for us down the road and also get some front-court help," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a telephone interview. "Rashard can shoot, rebound, play some defense and it never hurts when you have a player like John Wall to have another perimeter shooter

WHAT A LOAD OF BS!!!! Rashard Lewis can rebound?????? Rashard Lewis can defend??????
Stop it. Don't sell that to true diehards. Ernie is a charlatan. Just tell the truth. You did it to save money and not because Lewis is a good player. Josh Howard, IMO, is a better player now, even after the ACL than Lewis is.

Ernie will never say it like it is and I don't hold that against him.

But I am pretty much sick of him. He didn't earn the right to rebuild what he created.

Amen. PR is a big part of his job, so I don't hold his words against him talking up a move. Although, I still have a huge grudge against him for putting this mess of a team together in the first place.

mhd · Post #59 » by **mhd** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:29 pm

WizStorm wrote:
Wizards2Lottery wrote:
mhd wrote:EG on the deal:

This was a way to possibly free up cap room for us down the road and also get some front-court help," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a telephone interview. "Rashard can shoot, rebound, play some defense and it never hurts when you have a player like John Wall to have another perimeter shooter

WHAT A LOAD OF BS!!!! Rashard Lewis can rebound?????? Rashard Lewis can defend??????
Stop it. Don't sell that to true diehards. Ernie is a charlatan. Just tell the truth. You did it to save money and not because Lewis is a good player. Josh Howard, IMO, is a better player now, even after the ACL than Lewis is.

Ernie will never say it like it is and I don't hold that against him.

But I am pretty much sick of him. He didn't earn the right to rebuild what he created.
Amen. PR is a big part of his job, so I don't hold his words against him talking up a move. Although, I still have a huge grudge against him for putting this mess of a team together in the first place.

Please, Ted was frank and open about the caps' rebuilding process. He plainly said we'll suck for 2-3 years. Why can't EG say it? Because he's trying to save his own behind. Saying Lewis is a rebounder and defender is a slap to the face of all Wiz fans and an attempt to save face. Just tell the truth.

Mizerooskie · Post #60 » by **Mizerooskie** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:32 pm

mhd wrote:
Considering Lewis makes more per year than Arenas, we just wasted basically this off-season to potentially get a good FA. Arenas is a better player than Rashard Lewis. Heck, Josh Howard coming off an ACL is a better player than rashard Lewis. When Ernie Grunfeld with a straight face says Lewis can "defend", that is a slap in the mouth of all the true diehards on this board.

"Plenty of fans" have no clue about the team. We are the biggest diehard Wiz fans, and all know Lewis sucks. I wonder what the fans will think about the fact that Lewis is a roider. Arenas did more for this community than any athlete has.

The "more per year than Arenas" doesn't really mean anything. It's the term that's the most important part. They get cap space earlier, and there's less overall money left on the deal.

This trade wasn't about getting a better player (and Gil this season isn't that much better than Rashard: PER of 14.2 vs. 11.4), it was about moving Arenas and getting a financial boost in doing so.

And it doesn't matter if the fans have no clue about the team. Those fans will be the one's buying tickets. Arenas was done in Washington. He didn't want to be here, the organization didn't really want him anymore.

Did people really expect to improve the roster by trading Arenas? Or that his knees would magically heal and he'd return to his form of 5 years ago?