Wizards agree to terms with Eric Maynor

[fishercob]

What is interesting about Maynor is that he has been in the NBA for four seasons. He was traded in the middle of two of those seasons and tore his ACL 9 games into another.

The one season where he had some stability was his best -- he shot 38.5% from 3. His other numbers weren't exactly inspiring -- ORtg of 104, TS% of .485 -- but not putrid.

The hope here is that with a clean bill of health, a defined role, and some stability he can grow into a decent player. There's reason to hope, I suppose. But this hardly strikes me as a coup. I still would be very nervous going into any game in which Wall was unavailable.

[Upper Decker]

I hate to be the one to say it, because I seem to always say it, but terrible signing.

The guy is simply not very good. No other way to put it. We've officially downgraded from A.J. Price.

[Upper Decker]

I'll go so far to say that I believe Tomas Satoransky is a better option than Eric Maynor.

[TGW]

You would think after last season when Wall went down for an extended stretch and the team was terrible, this FO would invest just a little more into getting a better quality backup guard that can step in and at least carry the team for a few games. Maybe an Antonio Daniels-type that can run the team at a high level in a pinch.

Nope. Instead they got a less than mediocre non-upgrade. I hope this is NOT their best option at backup guard, and they continue to look elsewhere, or else they'll face the same situation they did last season.

[truwizfan4evr]

Is Tomas Satoransky going to play for us this season?

[willbcocks]

Definitely a typical EG signing. There was no way we were getting Nate Robinson.

[sfam]

You would think after last season when Wall went down for an extended stretch and the team was terrible, this FO would invest just a little more into getting a better quality backup guard that can step in and at least carry the team for a few games. Maybe an Antonio Daniels-type that can run the team at a high level in a pinch.

Nope. Instead they got a less than mediocre non-upgrade. I hope this is NOT their best option at backup guard, and they continue to look elsewhere, or else they'll face the same situation they did last season.

Exactly. The MLE or some serious trades should be contemplated for backup PG. I certainly wish Eric Maynor to do well, but this is pretty uninspiring.

[miller31time]

I hate to be the one to say it, because I seem to always say it, but terrible signing.

The guy is simply not very good. No other way to put it. We've officially downgraded from A.J. Price.

Agreed. We have the money to sign a better player, so why this guy? Hell, AJ Price (who actually knows the system) seems like a better option.

I don't get it.

[truwizfan4evr]

Lets hope he does well he has a clean slate with wizards still very young player with talent.

[Dat2U]

Maynor shot 38% from 3 with Portland although it was a small sample size. Not as good of an assist turnover ratio as Price though.

He's better than Price. He struggled at OKC last year coming off the knee injury and did better in Portland. He's more of a pass-first point guard, which isn't a bad thing.

I wish I could agree with you but he's never been that good. His assist percentage reads like a combo guard. I liked him before he was drafted but he's not been a good NBA player at any stage and his play has declined since his rookie year.

'12-'13: 9.3 PER .472 TS% 28.7 AST% 20.4 TO% 96 ORTg .008 WS/48 (64 games)
'11-'12: 9.1 PER .466 TS% 24.1 AST% 21.3 TO% 96 ORTg .037 WS/48 (9 games)
'10-'11: 11.7 PER .485 TS% 30.3 AST% 17.7 TO% 104 ORTg .061 WS/48 (82 games)
'09-'10: 11.8 PER .478 TS% 31.5 AST% 17.5 TO% 103 ORTg .071 WS/48 (81 games)

Those numbers do not scream multi-year deal.

[vtboo41]

You guys are nuts, maynor is a solid pickup

[miller31time]

There was no way we were getting Nate Robinson.

It's sort of sad that this statement rings true. It's sad because Nate Robinson is a career bench player. And yet, to Wizards fans, he seems almost unattainable.

[relinquishy]

There are a bunch of Portland fans praising the guy and the signing over on the Reddit thread. Everyone seems to be pleased with the signing, both Wiz and non-wiz fans included. Personally, I saw flashes of what he could do 2 years ago in the playoffs for the Thunder when he played really well. Even if his numbers aren't better than Price's necessarily, he IMO is a far better passer/floor general. When Price is on the floor, our offense becomes incredibly stagnant. Hopefully that well change with Maynor. Another thing to add...everyone on Reddit seems to have high praise for the Wizards and next year. Hopefully they are right...some positive attention would be good for once!

Reddit Thread: http://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1h ... multiyear/

Also guys: do remember that Maynor is only 26...

[TGW]

Why in hell did they give him a multi-year deal? And with a player option in the second year to boot...

Ehh whatever. I'm not going to waste my time on this signing. It's pointless and unnecessary. End of discussion.

[hands11]

No Beno ?

Oh well, heres to pulling for Eric Maynor
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/6/30 ... ric-maynor

[fishercob]

Blazers Edge's take on Maynor confirms my initial feelings of less than warm and fuzziness.

Three-point shooting and assists were the backbone of Maynor's game for the Blazers. His 38% clip beyond the arc outshone his 35.4% career average. His 42.2% overall field goal percentage improved upon his 40% career average as well. As a result his true shooting percentage rose to .508, a high water mark. Passing has always been a hallmark of Maynor's game but his ability to set up teammates was a godsend after a parade of reserve point guards who weren't able to do much more than score...if that. Maynor provided critical relief for Damian Lillard, not only spelling him for rest but handling the ball while Lillard set up away from pressure. A second dribbler on the court provided welcome relief as games wound down, defenses locked on, and Lillard tired.

Even Maynor's comparatively good performances raised question marks, however. Chief among these was defense. He's never been a strong defender but he quickly and consistently showed himself as one of Portland's worst...and this year that's saying something. He's not enough of an offensive power to compensate for leaky "D". When he's not churning out multiple assists he becomes, at best, a temporary place-keeper.

Even though Maynor shot jumpers fairly well this year he's still not that great. Jumpers comprise 87% of his shots. He's successful when he drives but he just doesn't do it that much. Even when he's going strong he doesn't pressure the defense off the dribble or draw fouls. If, over time, Maynor's shooting percentages will revert to the abysmal OKC levels he becomes a serious risk.

On the other hand the guy is 25, knows his way around the floor, and will probably come cheap. The Blazers' ability to retain him may depend on the level of contract he's willing to accept and the timing of the offer. They'll want to avoid committing extra space to a cap hold so they'll want to sign him instantly for a negligible amount or release him and pick him up after all other signings are complete with the dregs of their cap room or their room exception.

Here's a trip down memory lane from when we signed AJ Price:

He plays really good D. He is a ball hawk. When he is on the floor, the other team turns the ball over. Check the stats and see where Indiana ranked defensively with him on the floor and with him not being on the court. He rebounds, he is uber competitive. He has overcome adversity. We are glad he has agreed to join our team. We like the way he is productive in pick and roll sets, and we like that he is joining a team not unlike his past team that was being rebuilt around a core of young players, that added some seasoned vets and then qualified for the playoffs. Our fans will come to appreciate his game. And he will be welcomed with open arms into our new locker room.

Maynor is two years younger, sure. But it's hard to see how this is an improvement.

[Upper Decker]

The worst part of the deal is he sucks. By January I think the Wiz F.O. will be looking for D-League fodder to back up Wall. The second worst part of the deal is that it's multi-year. We're going to have to put up with his garbage for 2 seasons! The third worst part of the deal is that this almost ensures Antawn Jamison is going to return. Maynor to the Wiz is such an EG move, as is Jamisons return. He's on a roll!

[dckingsfan]

Well, at least EG didn't wait 'till the last minute like last year. Not my first choice...

[Dat2U]

I'll say he looked like a baller at VCU. I don't know about these "flashes" from two years ago. Two years ago, OKC had no problem drafting Reggie Jackson as his replacement so obviously they didn't see many flashes either.

[miller31time]

Well, at least EG didn't wait 'till the last minute like last year. Not my first choice...

Yes, he's getting much better at finding terrible players.