Nick Young traded to Clippers/McGee to Denver/Nene to DC

[penbeast0]

Here is the good news: Fish notes that Nene is better suited to play PF.

I think Seraphin is a good defender at C and I do believe he should start. The reason McGee looked really bad in +/- is that Seraphin really defended well and he also scores with true post moves. He displays strengths as a C where Javale will remain weak IMO. Seraphin can IMO play PF. Nene is a PF IMO who has played C. They seem like a good pair. This can work out better if Seraphin plays with Nene. They will no doubt be a tough starting lineup. Booker is ideally a good sixth man. He's a better player at this point than Kevin, but Seraphin is too strong to keep on the bench.

I will like the look of the lineup if the Wizards decide to go a bit bigger and play more physical ball.

Finally, I can agree with you on this subject. I consistently opposed you on the notion that McGee and Seraphin could coexist on the court together. It wasn't that I didn't want two big strong guys on the court, it's that the two big guys in question were both extremely unskilled.

Nene isn't unskilled. Nene and Seraphin could coexist and I would support seeing that lineup when conditions warrant. By the same token, I think we can get a little more use out of Vesely with Nene on the roster. Nene can play the PF role on offense and the C role on defense, allowing Vesely to play the C role on offense and the PF role on defense.

If you are starting Nene and Vesely, where are the rebounds coming from?

[fishercob]

Ruzious, no.

I never would have picked Faried 6th in this past draft. But that doesn't make me right. In fact, it makes me wrong.

Regardless of what Chad Ford, Jon Givony, ESPN or any GM said, Faired at 6 would have been the correct move. He's the best player in the draft other than Irving.

You are right in that the second whiff is more egregious because the salary there makes Faried an absurd steal. But if we had traded both picks for Faried we would be in a better spot than we are today.

Sad but true.

I completely disagree - even using the hindsight that you're using.

When you know that Faried could be had later in the draft - where you already have a pick, strategically it would have been the WRONG decision to pick him 6th. The whiff at 6 was not missing on Faried. It was in not using the pick smarter. BB would have been a smarter use of the pick then Faried or Vesely. Trading the pick could have been a much smarter use of the pick.

I see your point. We're arguing about semantics. Let that not obscure the undeniable fact that Ernie screwed us yet again by missing on Faried -- twice.

[fishercob]

Ted's take:

Yesterday’s Trade Activities for the Wizards
Posted on March 16, 2012
If you can believe it, the trade deadline ended at 3:00 pm and our 3 team trade was finally approved via conference call by all parties and the NBA at close to 9:00 pm. The trade was a very complex one with Nick Young having to approve the team that he eventually would play for as he held Bird rights and the dollars having to line up team by team.

The docket was full at the league offices. There were many trades throughout the league and we weren’t official until late into the evening. We couldn’t comment on the trade until it was officially blessed by the NBA and we didn’t send out a press release until late into the game against the Hornets last night. This is the reason we weren’t able to comment or blog about the trade yesterday. I apologize if this caused any of you any inconvenience.

I had the chance to speak to one player last night – Nene – at about 10:00 pm. I look forward to also speaking to Brian Cook later today.

I wish to thank Nick Young and JaVale McGee for all of their contributions to our franchise. Ronny Turiaf as well. I wish them well and I am sure they will flourish with their new teams.

The trade was made for the several reasons. We have been crystal clear with our rebuild plan. We are celebrating young players and we have a commitment to add to our young players with picks this coming off season. We needed to add some certainty to the line-up via a veteran presence. Both Nick Young and JaVale McGee were free agents or restricted free agents this coming off season. By adding Nene – who is under contract – and is a mature and proven player, we now have secured a point guard (John Wall) and a big man – post player (Nene) – for a reasonable and certain period of time. We can build around these two positions via the draft and via additional trades and via free agency.

We will have a high first round pick this coming off season as well as a high second round pick as well. We haven’t altered our rebuild plan in the least. We will be one of the youngest teams in the NBA. We have more moves to make certainly but this set of trades positions us well to continue to re-craft our team and refocus our culture to one that is serious and is about winning.

Nene is coming to us from a winning program. He has played in a system that we admire. It is up tempo and high scoring and he has good hands; runs the floor well; and is very strong. He is a team first kind of player. He is about winning and is a respected teammate.

He is a family man; a player who is secure in who he is; and a player who has battled through adversity and is dependable and strong in spirit. I very much enjoyed my conversation with him last night and know our fans will appreciate his brand of intensity and the way he plays the game. It was nice to hear analysts on NBA TV call him a “Top 10 center” in the NBA.

As you saw last night in the game against the Hornets this is John Wall’s team to run and having a polished big man who likes to move; sets hard picks; plays defense; is humble, mature and blends in a team setting will help us to segue to a next generation of player and culture for our franchise.

We have a lot of work to do still. I understand that fact. We made a big move and made a big investment in our future yesterday. Help us to welcome our new players to our great city and to our community in the coming weeks. Thank you for caring so much.

One last point: In reading some emails and some blog posts, it is apparent to me that the new CBA and some of the rules regarding how trades are made are perhaps not fully understandable. Would it be helpful if one day we held a chalk talk to explain how the rules work and how trades get made so that you as opinion leaders are more informed about process and methodology around trades? Let me know. Thank you.

[DrewBynum77]

Honestly, I'm not thrilled. I don't mind trading Young or McGee. (I wonder how the altitude in Denver will affect McGee and his asthma.) Hopefully Nene can get back to what he was last season.

This is a horrible f'n move.

Grunfeld is a chump.

Nene makes about $13M a year. The reason he's been traded is Kenneth Faried is already a far better player.

LOL. Faried is an undersized PF but a very athletic energy guy. He scores on dunks off oops and O boards. Also, he was an unknown guy, now coaches will tell players to box him out and we'll see what he'll do.

Nene is an amazingly efficient low post big with great vision and passing skills that can play 4 and 5, is a great PnR player on both ends of the floor, which is a big plus in todays league with teams with very good PGs running PnRs all the time.

Denver are trading him for one reason and one reason only: his injuries. Denver have yet to pay gallinari and chandler and nene misses too many games.

and yeh, bigs are overpaid in this league. You wont get anyone better than him for less than he makes (unless it's a rookie or a veteran wanting to ride a contender).

Wizards hope he stays healthy, if he does then that's a huge steal because your future all-star pg gonna be really happy running PnRs with a big like Nene.

[closg00]

When will Ted announce that he has given Ernie a new contract to continue the rebuild, you know that's coming.

[Ruzious]

Ruzious, no.

I never would have picked Faried 6th in this past draft. But that doesn't make me right. In fact, it makes me wrong.

Regardless of what Chad Ford, Jon Givony, ESPN or any GM said, Faired at 6 would have been the correct move. He's the best player in the draft other than Irving.

You are right in that the second whiff is more egregious because the salary there makes Faried an absurd steal. But if we had traded both picks for Faried we would be in a better spot than we are today.

Sad but true.

I completely disagree - even using the hindsight that you're using.

When you know that Faried could be had later in the draft - where you already have a pick, strategically it would have been the WRONG decision to pick him 6th. The whiff at 6 was not missing on Faried. It was in not using the pick smarter. BB would have been a smarter use of the pick then Faried or Vesely. Trading the pick could have been a much smarter use of the pick.

I see your point. We're arguing about semantics. Let that not obscure the undeniable fact that Ernie screwed us yet again by missing on Faried -- twice.

Is it semantics to say that once does not equal twice? If it is, then you're right.

[fishercob]

When will Ted announce that he has given Ernie a new contract to continue the rebuild, you know that's coming.

I fear you are right.

[fishercob]

Really good collection of links all about the trade. Happy watching/reading:

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/3/16 ... vale-mcgee

[tontoz]

We have more moves to make certainly but this set of trades positions us well to continue to re-craft our team and refocus our culture to one that is serious and is about winning.

I think this is a big issue with Ted. I doubt he is amused by the fact that his team is seen as a national laughingstock.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

People earlier in the thread were comparing this deal to Webber for Richmond. I'd say it's more like either Rasheed Wallace for Rod Strickland (talented headcase that wouldn't change for 30 year old who fills hole just enough to make us a competitor for last spot in playoffs and 1st round exit) IF Nene returns to the player he's been throughout his career. If he doesn't then it's Ben Wallace (playing so lacking in certain basic skills that coaches/fans get frustrated that he will never get it and ignore the things he did well) for Ike Austin (if this year is what Nene has left) only with worse cap hit.

+1

I would say it is most like Ben Wallace, but Nene is way better than Ike Austin and Javale is not Ben.

This move was made by Grunfeld who is a GM who has no contract to get rid of guys he drafted. The players in the doghouse were coached by an interim coach. The decision makers made this call at the very end of the trade deadline, under duress. They traded McGee to the team that drafted a player an awful like a young Ben Wallace.

Nene is a nice player and a nice man. I can see a lot of the Caron Butler, the Antwan Jamison, and the Etan Thomas acquisitions in this move. It also reminds me of Flip bringing in Fabricio Oberto. He played ahead of McGee the same way Nene's minutes will come at the expense of Seraphin. He wants to play PF and Booker is there.

This move was vintage EG.

[LyricalRico]

Nene isn't unskilled. Nene and Seraphin could coexist and I would support seeing that lineup when conditions warrant. By the same token, I think we can get a little more use out of Vesely with Nene on the roster. Nene can play the PF role on offense and the C role on defense, allowing Vesely to play the C role on offense and the PF role on defense.

Great points. I think this probably helps Vesely the most, with Seraphin a close second. Nene is a good passing big, and he allows the team to properly run the screen/roll - both of which should set up guys like Vesely/Seraphin for more easy baskets.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

When will Ted announce that he has given Ernie a new contract to continue the rebuild, you know that's coming.

I fear you are right.

Two New Yorkers, one from Brooklyn and the other Forest Hills, Queens; who live in DC have much in common. Both are children of European immigrants, and around the same age. I have long suspected Ernie was working at Ted's behest all during gun gate. Ultimately, EG saved Leonsis money by trading Gilbert for Lewis. EG clearly changed the way he drafts when Ted came on the scene. EG just made a huge, franchise-changing deal.

I would be surprised if Grunfeld does anything but remain.

[tontoz]

I would have no problem with a big man rotation of Nene/Seraphin/Booker next year assuming they draft a wing, which they probably will unless they get the 1st pick. Blatche will be gone and Vesely's role will probably be minimal.

[Rafael122]

We have more moves to make certainly but this set of trades positions us well to continue to re-craft our team and refocus our culture to one that is serious and is about winning.

I think this is a big issue with Ted. I doubt he is amused by the fact that his team is seen as a national laughingstock.

When the Scott Van Pelt Show has a "Wizards Daily" segment, thats when you know its time to make some changes.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

blah blah I was right blah blah blah

double post removed

[sashae]

wizznutzz (@wzzntzz)
3/16/12 9:08 AM
LATE BREAKING LAST NITE: Sources say Ernie Grunfeld traded an iPod Touch 4th gen. for a Zune.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Honestly, I'm not thrilled. I don't mind trading Young or McGee. (I wonder how the altitude in Denver will affect McGee and his asthma.) Hopefully Nene can get back to what he was last season.

This is a horrible f'n move.

Grunfeld is a chump.

Nene makes about $13M a year. The reason he's been traded is Kenneth Faried is already a far better player.

LOL. Faried is an undersized PF but a very athletic energy guy. He scores on dunks off oops and O boards. Also, he was an unknown guy, now coaches will tell players to box him out and we'll see what he'll do.

Nene is an amazingly efficient low post big with great vision and passing skills that can play 4 and 5, is a great PnR player on both ends of the floor, which is a big plus in todays league with teams with very good PGs running PnRs all the time.

Denver are trading him for one reason and one reason only: his injuries. Denver have yet to pay gallinari and chandler and nene misses too many games.

and yeh, bigs are overpaid in this league. You wont get anyone better than him for less than he makes (unless it's a rookie or a veteran wanting to ride a contender).

Wizards hope he stays healthy, if he does then that's a huge steal because your future all-star pg gonna be really happy running PnRs with a big like Nene.

Maybe you missed it. Faried broke Tim Duncan's all-time NCAA rebounding record. He led the nation in rebounding three straight years. He led Moorhead State to the NCAAs, where his team beat Louisville. At the buzzer, Faried blocked what might have been a game winning shot. I knew who he was and so did scouts. As far as NBA opponents adjusting, if anything, once Faried plays more minutes (I think Karl might get fired before this happens) he'll blow up. He knows how to rebound and what he does you can't teach.

DrewBynum, that's a big if IMO. I hope he stays healthy but I sure hope he doesn't count on the Wizards medical staff to help with that.

[LyricalRico]

Pretty crazy to think that Presti offered the '09 #3 pick (Harden) for Javale on draft day. My goodness, imagine a Wall-Harden backcourt.

I don't believe this happened.

My bad, it was for the 5th pick (Miller, Foye) too.

Last summer, Minnesota discussed sending the No. 2 overall pick (which turned out to be Derrick Williams) in exchange for the sixth pick and McGee but the Wizards declined. Oklahoma City reportedly offered the No. 3 pick (which turned out to be James Harden) for McGee and the fifth overall pick before the 2009 draft.

http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizar ... ee-wizards

Unfortunately, the Wizards did wait too long to dump McGee. I really wanted to trade up for DWill in last year's draft, and thought that Ernie at the latest should have dealt McGee prior to the start of this season. But I'm assuming that Ted's directive was to keep the current young guys and acquire as many more young players as possible, rather than consolidating for established vets.

To me, this is less about Ernie and more about Ted. No way that a team deals youth on expiring contracts for a veteran with a hefty deal without the owner's blessing, especially when you consider Ted's stated strategy. Hopefully his "lose, acquire picks, and throw young talent at the wall to see what sticks" approach is over and we can now start to win some games.

[Nivek]

We have more moves to make certainly but this set of trades positions us well to continue to re-craft our team and refocus our culture to one that is serious and is about winning.

I think this is a big issue with Ted. I doubt he is amused by the fact that his team is seen as a national laughingstock.

When the Scott Van Pelt Show has a "Wizards Daily" segment, thats when you know its time to make some changes.

You don't make long-term roster decisions based on the media making fun of the team. The way to tell the team needed to make changes was the record and the team's overall performance. And, the need to make changes does not mean that this change is the right one.

[queridiculo]

wizznutzz (@wzzntzz)
3/16/12 9:08 AM
LATE BREAKING LAST NITE: Sources say Ernie Grunfeld traded an iPod Touch 4th gen. for a Zune.

I wonder what fake Andray Blatche thinks about the trade.