leswizards wrote:Given EG's incompetence, I wouldn't put it past the Wizards if they ended up accidentally tanking next year. Having said, I am pretty certain that the Wizards have no intentions of tanking next season. The Wizards started this past season 4-28 this year, and it would have been incredibly easy for them to tank the remainder of the season and guarantee themselves a very good shot at a top three pick. Considering that they didn't tank this past season after the 4-28 start, I don't know why anyone would expect them to go into next season attempting to tank.
Going 4-28 was the tank. It was assured the moment they found out Wall would miss significant time. From there, Randy chose line ups that were only about defense so they could get that installed. It was a big picture move. He started line ups with no #1 option. Well there was 19 year old Beal who wasn't ready for it. If they wanted someone out there that would handle that, they would have started Crawford. But to what end ? I think they would have rather tanked one more year.
And a 30 win team next year would be tanking as well. Getting the 6 through whatever pick would still put them in the lottery.
But there is no reason to tank. They already have two very good players from getting the #1 and #3.
They have contracts of 7M, 13M, and 14M that if they want they can use in a trade. Having contracts of that size are assets when it comes time to trades when they are attached to players that are legit NBA players. Or any or all of these players can be retained for less money moving forward. Though as much as people say Trevor A is overpaid, I could easily see him getting a new contract playing him at least 6M a year. So 7.2M this year really wasn't that overpaid. Next year, I believe he will be the starter with Webster off the bench.
In the new NBA, players commonly play productively at age 35 and even older. Why would we be in a hurry to ship off Trevor A, Okafor and Nene ? Those are 3 solid NBA vets. Add Webby who is a sharp shooter and you have 4. Add two young AS level studs in Wall and Beal and you have 6 players. All you need is 8 legit players and some nice roll players behind them.
Why wouldn't you just build that out.
Top 10 D
.500 record with Wall, Beal and Nene playing
well over .500 with all three starting
They get to add a top 8-9 pick this year. That could be a Len, Dieng, or CJM. Any of them help now and the future.
They can add players like Mike Muscala C/PF, Erik Murphy/Ryan Kelly S4, and Pierre
And they should be able to add FA vets in whatever area they don't draft. Nate Robinsons, etc Nate makes 1.1M this year. There will be players like that available. Like Webby was at 1.6M
Sure there are questions with this team but just as is, again, with Wall, Beal and Nene starting, they had a really good record like a top 4-5 seed. They just need depth and they need to clear some roster spots which means deciding what to do with Kevin S, Ves, Booker and Singleton. What to to with those 4 players is really the main thing that is creating confusion about the future. That and Nene's health.
For me, I think all Nene really needs is a good summer of rest. He knows that and he is on it. If that works out, you have a legit stud PF/C for 2-3 more years.
So all they need is help. They need depth. And for me, I say that is out there in the form of.
Tall, Athletic, defensive C of the future that can score - That's Len or Dieng. It could even be Withey
SG/PG with a shot and handles - That's a CJM, Burke, Erick Green
S4-Erik Murphy/Ryan Kelly/Mike Muscala
Back up PG help. That could be a Pierre Jackson or a FA/Vet like Nate Robinson, Jarrett Jack, Steve Blake, Eric Bledsoe, Chauncey Billups
It should be relatively easy for them to upgrade Price and Martin. That could help a lot.
So it really comes down to how to they get upgraded help for Nene and Okafor in the front court.
