Our Projected Depth Chart

[nate33]

Ted saves a ton more money if he cuts Lewis rather than amnestying him. Lewis will be cut. So we have 11 players: the 8 under contract (counting Blatche) and the 3 draft picks. I think Mack is a toss up. He'll compete for the backup PG position in training camp with whomever else is invited (whether it's a draft pick or somebody like Lestor Hudson). Maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't.

I assume we'll sign at least one veteran free agent wing who can shoot. Maybe it'll just be Cartier Martin. Maybe it's Danny Green or Brandon Rush. Maybe we'll amnesty Blatche and go after a top tier guy like Batum or Gordon. I don't know, though my guess is that we won't amnesty Blatche.

Is there a possibility that we cut Lewis, keep Blatche for this season, then when he doesn't show any signs of improvement and he can't be traded, we amnesty him next offseason?

Yes. I think that is the likely scenario.

There is no rush to amnesty Blatche right now. Given the circumstances, I don't think there's much more we can do with $12M in cap room that we couldn't do with $5M in cap room. I think our only obvious hole is a veteran wing who can shoot. $5M or less should be enough to fill that hole.

Financially speaking, it makes more sense to retain Blatche for another season and try to rehabilitate his value. In a best-case scenario, we could ultimately end up trading him for an expiring contract (and thereby save Ted about $15M). Another scenario would be that he improves enough so that when he is amnestied in 2013, somebody picks him off of waivers for, say, $3M a year (for the two remaining years of his deal). At least that way, Ted saves $6M of the $22M he is currently owed (plus Blatche can conceivably be moderately useful as a backup forward for the 2012/13 season, saving Ted from signing a vet minimum big). Even in a worst-case scenario with Blatche not improving at all, he can still be banished from the team and amnestied in 2013 and it doesn't cost Ted any more money than it would cost to amnesty him now.

The only thing that matters is that Blatche's contract is off the books by the summer of 2013. With his contract gone, and with Lewis no longer on the books, we would set ourselves up for max cap room in 2013.

[hands11]

Ted saves a ton more money if he cuts Lewis rather than amnestying him. Lewis will be cut. So we have 11 players: the 8 under contract (counting Blatche) and the 3 draft picks. I think Mack is a toss up. He'll compete for the backup PG position in training camp with whomever else is invited (whether it's a draft pick or somebody like Lestor Hudson). Maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't.

I assume we'll sign at least one veteran free agent wing who can shoot. Maybe it'll just be Cartier Martin. Maybe it's Danny Green or Brandon Rush. Maybe we'll amnesty Blatche and go after a top tier guy like Batum or Gordon. I don't know, though my guess is that we won't amnesty Blatche.

Is there a possibility that we cut Lewis, keep Blatche for this season, then when he doesn't show any signs of improvement and he can't be traded, we amnesty him next offseason?

Are you actually reading this thread. All of that is posted. Or was that in the Fire EG thread ?

I agree Nate. No hurry to rush Dray out of town. It makes more sense to keep him at least until the trade deadline next year. The way things are looking with how they handled him, it seems way more likely then not that he is worth more by then then he is now. And because of the way amnesty works, Ted can still save more money by doing it when Dray has more value. Point is, there are lots of opens for handling the Dray situation. They shouldn't rush to ship him out.

With all the assets the team has, please top 5 pick on the way, and cap space, this would be a dream job for any GM if they ship EG out.

[montestewart]

Huh?

[hands11]

Roster update.

We now have Almond and Nene was dressed last game. Looks ready to return.
They just beat Chi in Chi with Nene active and Almond dressed but didnt play

PG: Wall/Mack
SG: Crawford/Almond
SF: CSingleton/Martin/Mo Evan
PF: Nene/JSingleton/Cook
C: Seraphin/Ves

Inactive
Booker foot issue
Dray - still working out and no news on his return though I think he may play before the season is over

Mason is off the roster having just had finger surgery.

They said they deactivated Mason to make room for another contract. I thought you could hav 15 and 13 active. Did that change ?

They don't play again until Wednesday. Should be interesting to see who they activate and how they play now that the tank strategy is behind us. I expect Nene will play next game. When will we see Almond ? Will Mo get more minutes or even start at some point? Singleton isn't going to be the long term starter. Will we see Dray ?

They are building out the front court rather well. Now they need to start finding more options at SF, SG and back up PG. SF and SG is pretty much wide open in a 2 year window. I could see any of the players we currently have there here next year or gone.

[hands11]

Here are all the options they have to pick from for next year from was here this year.

PG: Wall/Mack
SG: Crawford/Almond/Mason
SF: CSingleton/Martin/Mo Evan
PF: Nene/JSingleton/Booker/Cook
C: Seraphin/Ves/Dray

That 15 players right there.

PG: add via draft or FA to replace Mack
SG: draft Beal ?
SF: I dont see Singleton starting next year. What will they do ?
PF: What to do with so many viable options at PF? I want JSingleton and Booker to both return.
C: They are pretty set at C for now.

If they were to draft based on need, I would think you go SG first. I don't think Crawford will be here longer term but he can play and he can get better and stay next year. As for SF and the cluster at PF, it would be really cool if they could try James at SF though it still isn't ideal. I want to keep him and Booker and I want Booker as the back up PF. Would be great if Singleton could be the starting SF with Martin and C Singleton backing up. At least for a year until they find a star SF. J Singleton has the shooting range to handle it. How every they line up, those 3 could cover for a year.

I really only see them adding two new players this offseason. PG and 1st round pick. The second rounder pick can be traded forward so they can be used to package in a future trade or used later.

[closg00]

CSN projection of who will and won't be on the team next-year.
http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball ... eedID=6356

[hands11]

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=215841

Is this really true ? The NBA has changed to 13 active players moving forward ?

ORLANDO – NBA rosters are going to stay at 13, permanently.

The league’s competition committee met Friday and will recommend two rules changes to the Board of Governors, including one that will make 13-man active rosters permanent and another that would change the waiver wire rules and give teams 48 hours to put in a claim — and not just on weekdays.

League vice president Stu Jackson said representatives from the 30 NBA teams voted unanimously to recommend making the current 13-man active rosters permanent for next season and beyond. Prior to this season, teams could have only 12 active players and up to three inactive players, but this season — because of the lockout shortened schedule — teams have been allowed to dress and use 13 players.

General managers and coaches like the added flexibility of having another player in uniform, hence the move to make 13-man rosters permanent.

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9314

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2012/02/24 ... e-altered/

[Upper Decker]

Ted saves a ton more money if he cuts Lewis rather than amnestying him. Lewis will be cut. So we have 11 players: the 8 under contract (counting Blatche) and the 3 draft picks. I think Mack is a toss up. He'll compete for the backup PG position in training camp with whomever else is invited (whether it's a draft pick or somebody like Lestor Hudson). Maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't.

I assume we'll sign at least one veteran free agent wing who can shoot. Maybe it'll just be Cartier Martin. Maybe it's Danny Green or Brandon Rush. Maybe we'll amnesty Blatche and go after a top tier guy like Batum or Gordon. I don't know, though my guess is that we won't amnesty Blatche.

I'd like to bring back Martin, not doing so would be a mistake. He knows how to play with Wall, is a knock down shooter and has expanded his game beyond shooting. I'd also like for them to bring back Mason.

The Wiz should also consider signing Brandon Rush. Rush could start at SF, Martin could be the 2/3 reserve. Wall needs low-usage high-efficiency swing men on the team.

[hands11]

Ted saves a ton more money if he cuts Lewis rather than amnestying him. Lewis will be cut. So we have 11 players: the 8 under contract (counting Blatche) and the 3 draft picks. I think Mack is a toss up. He'll compete for the backup PG position in training camp with whomever else is invited (whether it's a draft pick or somebody like Lestor Hudson). Maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't.

I assume we'll sign at least one veteran free agent wing who can shoot. Maybe it'll just be Cartier Martin. Maybe it's Danny Green or Brandon Rush. Maybe we'll amnesty Blatche and go after a top tier guy like Batum or Gordon. I don't know, though my guess is that we won't amnesty Blatche.

I'd like to bring back Martin, not doing so would be a mistake. He knows how to play with Wall, is a knock down shooter and has expanded his game beyond shooting. I'd also like for them to bring back Mason.

The Wiz should also consider signing Brandon Rush. Rush could start at SF, Martin could be the 2/3 reserve. Wall needs low-usage high-efficiency swing men on the team.

But Rush is a 2/3. He is to short. They could do better with what they already have. He would be fine as a 3 pt shooting 2, but I wouldn't over paid for that on this team for next year. Mason can do that for you and he already knows the team.

[fugop]

John Wall/Shelvin Mack
Jordan Crawford/Martin
Jeff Green/Chris Singleton
Anthony Davis/Booker/Vesely
Nene/Seraphin

[Ed Wood]

You stop that right now or I will make the longest, dullest post about how mediocre Jeff Green is.

[Upper Decker]

Well look at it this way, Jeff Green is an upgrade over Chris Singleton...too bad Singleton's the only SF in the league of which he's an upgrade.

[fugop]

I think that we are going to sign Jeff Green this summer. I don't necessarily want him, but I think he's exactly the type of player we are going to go after, and there were rumors of our "heavy" interest a few months ago. I'm resigned to the fact that we are going to pursue him.

1. He's smart. There's no real denying it.
2. He's local. It would be a big PR victory, and I doubt we're beyond this as an organization.
3. We have more experience with heart issues than anyone in the league, with both Etan and Turiaf having been on the roster.
4. He fills a positional need, however mediocre.
5. He'll be cheapish.

Jeff Green at 5 million a year isn't a disaster, he is what he is. Who knows, maybe he'll improve his efficiency.

The Davis projection was a lot more wishful thinking, obviously.

[closg00]

I think that we are going to sign Jeff Green this summer. I don't necessarily want him, but I think he's exactly the type of player we are going to go after, and there were rumors of our "heavy" interest a few months ago. I'm resigned to the fact that we are going to pursue him.

1. He's smart. There's no real denying it.
2. He's local. It would be a big PR victory, and I doubt we're beyond this as an organization.
3. We have more experience with heart issues than anyone in the league, with both Etan and Turiaf having been on the roster.
4. He fills a positional need, however mediocre.
5. He'll be cheapish.

Jeff Green at 5 million a year isn't a disaster, he is what he is. Who knows, maybe he'll improve his efficiency.

The Davis projection was a lot more wishful thinking, obviously.

If you're Green, the Wizards with their medical staff history, is the last team you want to sign iwth....and please don't try to soften-up the board in-advance of a Jeff Green signing.

[montestewart]

You stop that right now or I will make the longest, dullest post about how mediocre Jeff Green is.

This will do just fine. At this point, I don't know that Jeff Green is an improvement over Cartier Martin, who certainly provides better outside shooting.

[hands11]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wa ... story.html

Seems the team think the culture change has already happened.

Washington Wizards want to go from 20 wins to a playoff push next season

“It’s real,” said Roger Mason Jr., who was waived after having season-ending surgery on his left index finger to make a roster spot in the final week but has expressed a desire to return as a free agent. “I genuinely believe if we had the same team the last month of the season, we’d be fighting for a playoff spot.”

“I felt like he held everyone accountable,” rookie Chris Singelton of Nene. “Our team hasn’t always been the most mature team. Since we got him and we got James and a couple of veterans they brought in, it’s definitely helped us.”

In the 41 games before the trade, the Wizards were 9-32 and getting outscored by an average of 8.5 per game (102.3-93.8). In the final 25 games, the Wizards went 11-14 and outscored their opponents by an average of 1.4 points per game (93.4-92.0). In the 11 games that Nene actually played, the Wizards were 7-4 and outscored their opponents by an average of 10.3 points per game (95.8-85.5).

“When I came here, a lot of things changed. I’m very excited about next season. Good things will come,” Nene said. “We can surprise a lot of things in this league next season. I know that’s the reason I’m here.”

John Wall is disappointed that he hasn’t been able to help the Wizards reach the playoffs in his first two years, but he is encouraged by the late-season rally, believing that the team is a few more veterans away — either at small forward, shooting guard or point guard — from contending for the postseason.

Seems Wall sees what many of us see.

[nate33]

John Wall is disappointed that he hasn’t been able to help the Wizards reach the playoffs in his first two years, but he is encouraged by the late-season rally, believing that the team is a few more veterans away — either at small forward, shooting guard or point guard — from contending for the postseason.

Interesting that he named the positions where veteran help is needed. It seems like a criticism of Mack if you ask me. He might also be criticizing Martin or Mason.

[montestewart]

John Wall is disappointed that he hasn’t been able to help the Wizards reach the playoffs in his first two years, but he is encouraged by the late-season rally, believing that the team is a few more veterans away — either at small forward, shooting guard or point guard — from contending for the postseason.

Interesting that he named the positions where veteran help is needed. It seems like a criticism of Mack if you ask me. He might also be criticizing Martin or Mason.

Could be, and much as I like the outside shooting that Mason and Martin bring, I could see other, better options. I wonder what his actual words were, since words sometimes just spill out of his mouth, and there might be other interpretations of what he said.

[hands11]

John Wall is disappointed that he hasn’t been able to help the Wizards reach the playoffs in his first two years, but he is encouraged by the late-season rally, believing that the team is a few more veterans away — either at small forward, shooting guard or point guard — from contending for the postseason.

Interesting that he named the positions where veteran help is needed. It seems like a criticism of Mack if you ask me. He might also be criticizing Martin or Mason.

Not sure how he could be critical of Mason. He did everything that was asked of him.

Maybe he is comparing the upgrade they got from a Nene level addition and he is talking about that level of help. Not sure.

3 more weeks until we learn our draft position. Then we will know more about who they bring back

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I really like Ilyasova as a FA target. I think he's obtainable, and his hustle, rebounding and shooting will be welcome additions to our front court. The only objection is our supposed lack of need at PF. Can you really have too much talent and depth? We just finished with the 2nd worst record in the NBA!

My ideal offseason (outside of landing the #1 pick and getting Davis) would be to draft Beal in the top 5, sign unrestricted free agents F Ilyasova and G Belinelli. Then trade for SF Ariza... something like Blatche & Crawford with our later 2nd rounder for Ariza. With our 32nd pick I'd go for another SF like Crowder or D.Miller (more likely).

C - Nene, Seraphin, Vesely
PF- Ilyasova, Booker, Vesely, J.Singleton
SF- Ariza, C.Singleton, D.Miller, Martin/Evans
SG- Beal, Belinelli, Mason
PG- Wall, Mack