2012 NBA Draft - Part V

[dandrews]

I never said it had anything to do with the draft.

It is a question of why bring in Ariza when you know you are going to draft a 3 who can't shoot.

These 2 things don't match up

[popper]

I also think that if Ariza doesn't exercise his player option next year then we will buy him out for 3-5 mil.

[Severn Hoos]

Not that it's a huge difference, but it looks like we might actually be able to package Okafor as early as August (2 months after receiving the player in trade)?

That is a huge difference because August is before the start of the season.

The old CBA made you wait 60 days or until December 15th, whichever was later. It looks like they dropped the December 15th clause.

Good point - I was thinking it wasn't a big deal b/c I was assuming/hoping the follow-up trade would occur on or before Draft Day. But you're right, if they don't make a deal sending Okafor straight-up by then, it allows them the flexibility to wait and see who might lose a big man in training camp and pay a premium for Okafor - or at least not cause us to give up value to move him.

[nuposse04]

Does anyone know how big LBJ was at 18? MKG is what, 6'7 230? Watching LBJ just put the ball on the floor and bulldoze his way into the floor makes me wonder if MKG could ever be a poor mans LBJ.

Assuming we do take beal, I'd go for Wroten or Barton with the 32nd. Or if Lamb is available.

[Ruzious]

Thanks, nate - and I'm glad to see the Larry Coon FAQ is now up-to-date with the new CBA. Here's what he had to say:

In addition, teams cannot trade players under the following circumstances:

•For two months after receiving the player in trade, if the trade aggregates the player's salary with the salaries of other players. However, the team is free to trade the player immediately, either by himself or without aggregating his salary with other salaries. This restriction applies only to teams over the salary cap. (Also see question number 85.)

Not that it's a huge difference, but it looks like we might actually be able to package Okafor as early as August (2 months after receiving the player in trade)?


But yeah, Okafor for Martin or Gordon makes a ton of sense to me.

Interesting - we can't package Okafor with other player(s), but it doesn't say we can't trade him along with a pick.

Here's what's going to happen (I say mockingly) - Wiz draft MKG, and trade Okafor and next year's first for Iggy. So we end up with Ariza, MKG, and Iggy - to go along with Singleton and Crawford on the wings.

[FAH1223]

Does anyone know how big LBJ was at 18? MKG is what, 6'7 230? Watching LBJ just put the ball on the floor and bulldoze his way into the floor makes me wonder if MKG could ever be a poor mans LBJ.

Assuming we do take beal, I'd go for Wroten or Barton with the 32nd. Or if Lamb is available.

LBJ was around 230 at 18, but he looked much skinnier

[nate33]

One possibly optimistic thought:
We all agree that it was stupid for EG to commit to the Okafor trade so early that it tips our hand on who we want in the draft. Maybe EG really isn't that stupid. Ted spoke about other trades being in the works. Maybe we have two possible follow-up trades lined up. If we draft Beal, maybe there's an Okafor for SF trade lined up (Gay?). If we draft MKG, maybe there's an Okafor for SG trade lined up (Martin?)

I note that there has been a great deal of restraint from the organization in praising our new additions. It wouldn't make sense to talk them up to the fans and then trade them away.

And that's all I've been asking for - a wait and see approach until we get the final picture.

Lewis was a piece that was attractive but almost impossible to work with in trades because of the sheer size of the deal (as many of us saw when trying to come up with ideas). There was also a deadline to use him as a trade chip becuase of the buyout clause. Now we have two much more manageable contracts to work with, along with several young players to use as sweetners. We still have options and I believe there are more moves to come. Let's get the best player we possibly can in the draft and then sort the rest out between July and November.

I will say this, if we end up trading Okafor for Kevin Martin while drafting MKG, and MKG pans out as good as Dat2U thinks he will, I will to an about-face like you wouldn't believe and praise EG from the mountaintops.

The one thing you can say about the Lewis trade is that it traded an utterly worthless asset into a potentially semi-valuable asset in Okafor. It remains to be seen how much value Okafor has, but if it's enough to get a starting-caliber wing like Kevin Martin, then it's a good deal. (I'm a little skeptical that Okafor has that much value though. Time will tell.)

[mohammed10]

Beal, to me, continues to look like a "total package" kind of SG. He will defend, he will help clean the glass, he will make the right plays on offense, he can get to the line, and he will knock down a lot of shots.

We might be able to get a better scorer than Beal later in the draft, but I don't think we can get a better player.

[nate33]

Thanks, nate - and I'm glad to see the Larry Coon FAQ is now up-to-date with the new CBA. Here's what he had to say:

In addition, teams cannot trade players under the following circumstances:

•For two months after receiving the player in trade, if the trade aggregates the player's salary with the salaries of other players. However, the team is free to trade the player immediately, either by himself or without aggregating his salary with other salaries. This restriction applies only to teams over the salary cap. (Also see question number 85.)

Not that it's a huge difference, but it looks like we might actually be able to package Okafor as early as August (2 months after receiving the player in trade)?


But yeah, Okafor for Martin or Gordon makes a ton of sense to me.

Interesting - we can't package Okafor with other player(s), but it doesn't say we can't trade him along with a pick.

Here's what's going to happen (I say mockingly) - Wiz draft MKG, and trade Okafor and next year's first for Iggy. So we end up with Ariza, MKG, and Iggy - to go along with Singleton and Crawford on the wings.

Yes. We can absolutely trade him with a pick.

[LyricalRico]

Does anyone know how big LBJ was at 18? MKG is what, 6'7 230? Watching LBJ just put the ball on the floor and bulldoze his way into the floor makes me wonder if MKG could ever be a poor mans LBJ.

I quoted Gary Williams a few pages ago who said on 980 that he thinks MKG has a game similar to LeBron's becuase of his build. Not to the same level, but the same style. If we can get LBJ-lite, I say we do it and restructure the roster along the way to make room.

[tontoz]

Assuming we draft Harrison or MKG and don't make any other trades, can anyone think of a legit reason to being in Ariza?

[nuposse04]

Does anyone know how big LBJ was at 18? MKG is what, 6'7 230? Watching LBJ just put the ball on the floor and bulldoze his way into the floor makes me wonder if MKG could ever be a poor mans LBJ.

I quoted Gary Williams a few pages ago who said on 980 that he thinks MKG has a game similar to LeBron's becuase of his build. Not to the same level, but the same style. If we can get LBJ-lite, I say we do it and restructure the roster along the way to make room.

MKG can definitely add on some lbs to his already solid frame. With the talk of Beal potentially growing more, it isn't entirely out of the question that MKG could prop up an inch or 2. I've always believed what made LBJ the terrific player that he is, is that he has superb control of his body and average to slightly above average handles for someone his size. I don't think it is that much of a stretch to say MKG could become 6'8 245lbs, that is load to handle for any teams outside of the heat and knicks.

[fishercob]

I'm not convinced it's 100% legit ...signed,sealed, and delivered ...but I got a call from someone today that said he heard we had a deal in place for the 2nd pick, in order to select Beal. It involved our 4 and 24... which I think is pretty pricey given that 4 could likely be MKG... BUT, that's what I heard in a call today from a decent source.

This really makes a ton of sense for Charlotte if they want TRob. They know Cleveland and Washington don't want TRob so they are getting extra value while still getting the guy they want.

Our only hope to get Beal is if Charlotte wants MKG more than TRob. If so, they don't do this trade out of fear that we take MKG 3rd if Cleveland takes Beal at #2.

One possibly optimistic thought:
We all agree that it was stupid for EG to commit to the Okafor trade so early that it tips our hand on who we want in the draft. Maybe EG really isn't that stupid. Ted spoke about other trades being in the works. Maybe we have two possible follow-up trades lined up. If we draft Beal, maybe there's an Okafor for SF trade lined up (Gay?). If we draft MKG, maybe there's an Okafor for SG trade lined up (Martin?)

I note that there has been a great deal of restraint from the organization in praising our new additions. It wouldn't make sense to talk them up to the fans and then trade them away.

I wouldn't be optimistic that either is on the move anytime soon; the team is tweeting out photos of them holding their new jerseys. It would appear no press conference though.

[jivelikenice]

Assuming we draft Harrison or MKG and don't make any other trades, can anyone think of a legit reason to being in Ariza?

Barnes/MKG and Ariza will start at the 2/3 in this scenario and basically be interchangeable...Shooting will be an issue but how would it be worse than last years?

[Kanyewest]

Man if we missed out on Beal and MKG...I just...wow.

Then we get Anthony Davis?!

[Dat2U]

I hope we draft MKG, I just don't expect it.

Ernie went all in with the Okafor/Ariza trade. He's trying to win the most games possible next season. You don't make a $42 million dollar committment over two years to remain patient. He's basically telegraphed that he's going to be drafting for fit so he can put the best team on the floor next season and win some games. Wizards need shooter in the worst way to be competitive. All indicators point to Beal if he's there with Barnes as the backup choice.

I hate it. I can't stand it. Ernie always seems to find away to **** up my draft week. And I think Leonsis is so stubborn to prove everyone wrong about Ernie, that he's willing to go into the tank for him.

[tontoz]

Assuming we draft Harrison or MKG and don't make any other trades, can anyone think of a legit reason to being in Ariza?

Barnes/MKG and Ariza will start at the 2/3 in this scenario and basically be interchangeable...Shooting will be an issue but how would it be worse than last years?

That doesn't answer the question at all. None of those guys are 2s and there is no reason to play guys out of their natural position to accomodate Ariza who isn't good at any position.

[Ruzious]

Man if we missed out on Beal and MKG...I just...wow.

Then we get Anthony Davis?!

Of course not. We trade Okafor and the pick to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

[DCZards]

Of course not. We trade Okafor and the pick to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Hey, that might not be a bad trade as long as we can sign Dwight to a long-term pact.

[Ruzious]

Of course not. We trade Okafor and the pick to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Hey, that might not be a bad trade as long as we can sign Dwight to a long-term pact.

Sure, that was the plan all along. Then we draft Doron Lamb and sign Danny Green or Brandon Rush with the MLE, and we're set.

1. Wall, Mack
2. Green, Lamb, Crawford
3. Ariza, Singleton
4. Nene, Booker, Vesely
5. Howard, Seraphin