Wizards Sign Martell Webster

[verbal8]

When Ernie does good, he does really good. When Ernie does bad, he does really bad. Is there an in between with him?

Probably both slightly positives, but trading for Jamison and drafting Booker would be in line with the expected return on an asset. Drafting Nick Young in the middle of the 1st round is about average - maybe slightly below(21st in Win shares from that draft).

[hands11]

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/webster-122313

If you want to know where this team is headed next, listen to this guy.

The team is started to develop a solid core of vet leaders in Webster, Nene and Trevor A Trevor A by example more then personality. I think that is the core. Gortat is a good vet complete but I don't see him in the status of the above 3 year. But that's kind of expected. He hasn't been here as long. He has what it takes to get there though I think. Just going to take some time to gel and logs some wins. And contrary to Nene speaking out being a problem. I think it was part of the solution. He doesn't do it like Webster. Nene is a different dude. But when Nene snaps, that just the way Nene does it. Mostly quiet until he snaps. But that partly when I think the players listen when he does. They know he has taken as much as he can at that point. Its a wake up call.

Wall and Beal are learning from them and they will take over as they develop both on the floor and through emulation. And when they do, look out. Webster knows he can score but listen to what he says. I think part of this is setting the tone for Wall and Beal. Its like he is talking to them. "Don't worry about the pts. Focus on your defense" Specially Wall.

If they can get Wall and Beal developed to the level of that core 3 and Gortat settles in, this things can start to snowball. When is the last time this team had 6 solid core mature players that can produce. That sets the stage for all the younger players to follow and take a faster track in their development. It starts with Webster who is the consistent calm voice that is always focused, then Nene and Trevor A.

This year is all about Wall and Beal maturing and getting to the playoffs. That's why they added the vets. Because those two of the core of the future. And now they need to get Otto up and running.

Interesting times for the Wizards. Still lots of questions about what next year brings, but for right now, I'm looking for them to change to the next gear. Its right there for them. Hopefully Randy can step up his game time coaching to allow it to happen.

[noworriesinmd]

Too funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHxArNTzyi4

If I was mistaken for Chris Singleton...I'd be mad too

[nate33]

Too funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHxArNTzyi4

If I was mistaken for Chris Singleton...I'd be mad too

Hilarious.

That guy kinda looks like a shorter version of JJ Redick.

[Kanyewest]

Bill Simmons has Martell Webster listed as the 17th worst contract in the NBA.

17. Martell Webster: four years, $22 million
16. Tyreke Evans: four years, $44 million
Covered this last summer, covering it again. Last July, Dan Fegan represented the brittle Webster and teammate John Wall. Arn Tellem represented the overrated Evans and soon-to-be-new teammate Anthony Davis. Both Webster and Evans were overpaid as down payments for Wall’s max extension (already happened: five years, $80 million) and Davis’s max extension (we’re two years away). You know how you have “handcuff” guys in fantasy football — like taking Toby Gerhart in the late rounds as your Adrian Peterson insurance? In professional basketball, we have handcuff free agents. And there’s real money involved. It’s kind of staggering.

I don't think Webster is in the top 30. Also where's Eric Maynor?

http://grantland.com/features/bill-simm ... contracts/

[TGW]

The kool-aid was definitely being sipped in this thread. Sheesh...what an epic fail.

[Upper Decker]

I don't think he's a bad contract per-se. He can be a starter on a stacked team, or a really good bench player with a Nate-Rob type back-up PG. The problem with him is he is such a low-effort guy. If he's not being fed open 3-point attempts he's a liability. I'd actively be seeking a trade for Martell if I was running this ship.

[closg00]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

Regular posters will remember our calls to give Gerald Green a call-up, look at him now and the deal that he was signed-to. Webster has a tricky back.

[Dat2U]

Webster is fine if he's healthy. But that's the problem, health. Looking at his past, it should have been a red flag to anyone.

I don't think he's a terrible contract, just not an ideal one. I'd trade him for an expiring and force Witt to play Porter but I don't think the Wizards are interested in trading any rotation players at this point to preserve this magical playoff run.

[hands11]

Webby is a game time decision.

Kevin is out again. What the hell is going on with Kevin ?

[mohammed10]

Webby is a game time decision.

Kevin is out again. What the hell is going on with Kevin ?

Seraphin has an acute case of Otto Porter-itis, meaning that he is out indefinitely for no legitimate reason.

But honestly, I have no idea...

[nate33]

The kool-aid was definitely being sipped in this thread. Sheesh...what an epic fail.

Nah. Webster is just banged up. Give him 5 games off and he'll be fine.

Dat2U is right that his injuries are the real concern - not his play.

[lastemp3ror]

I have a question to the folks who like the Webster signing. Do you guys also think that we aren't going to try to re-sign Ariza this summer? Cause if you do think we are going to sign him, how is signing Webster a good thing?

I personally do think we are going to re-sign Ariza, in which case, all within one year, we re-signed Webster, drafted two SF's, and resigned Ariza. That is too much money and talent used for one roster spot.

[nate33]

When Webster was resigned, Ariza was merely a passable 3-point shooter, shooting just 36%. There was legitimate concern that the team desperately needed the floor stretching ability that Webster provided. Nobody foresaw Ariza improving to become a 43% from 3-point range and essentially being another Webster on offense while also being an Ariza on defense.

Now that Ariza has improved his shot, I agree that Webster is a bit redundant (or a luxury we may not be able to afford), but I don't think that the decision to resign him was the wrong one based on the information available at the time.

At this point, I think the prudent move is to resign Ariza and try and trade Webster - hopefully for a stretch four. Ideally, we sign Ariza to a 2-year deal (even if we have to overpay to get him to agree) while trading Webster for a contract that also expires in 2016. The goal is to have them both come off the books (along with Nene) at a time when we can turn over the SF reigns to Porter and use our max cap room to add a star caliber player.

[Kanyewest]

I'm torn right now between whether the Wizards should go all in for a run at either Kevin (Love or Durant) Yes the precedent is there with Dwight Howard going to Houston although Houston doesn't have a state income tax.

[nate33]

I'm torn right now between whether the Wizards should go all in for a run at either Kevin (Love or Durant) Yes the precedent is there with Dwight Howard going to Houston although Houston doesn't have a state income tax.

The beauty is that we don't have to go "all in" on any one player. There are a ton of top tier free agents available in 2016. The best include Durant, Horford and Noah. Lebron, Love and Bosh may also be available depending on whether or not they opt out early (if they don't opt out early, their full contract expires in 2016). There's also a few second-tier guys that would make a decent fall back option if none of the top guys are available including: Ryan Anderson, Thad Young, Brook Lopez and David Lee. And finally, there's the pretty strong draft class of 2012, many of whom would be RFA's.

[nate33]

One other thing to remember:

The final year of Webster's contract is fully unguaranteed. It only becomes guaranteed if Webster plays a total of 180 games over the 3 preceding years. So far this season, Webster has played 57 games. If he sits out the next 10 games or so to get healthy, he'll be on pace for about 70 games this season. All it would take is one significant injury in either of the following 2 seasons and Webster can be cut a year early (in time for the 2016 sweepstakes).

Ultimately, EG handled the negotiation pretty well. If Webster stays healthy and plays well, we should have the ability to trade him before 2016 if we choose to go for max cap room in 2016. If Webster gets hurt a lot and misses games, we can cut him before the 2016 offseason.

[Dark Faze]

As summer progressed, Wolves guard Martell Webster felt more stiffness and pain in his back and more worry because of it. A trip to the doctor brought the bad news: Webster needed surgery again.

Webster had microdiscectomy surgery in Portland Sept. 28 -- his second such surgery on the same area in his spine in 13 months -- and is out indefinitely.

Webster was moving well while posing for pictures at the team's media day Friday, but he hasn't done much running and hasn't done anything basketball-related at all. He is hoping to be ready to return to action by early January.

"I wasn't really comfortable with the way it felt," said Webster, who missed the first 24 games of last season after having his first surgery Oct. 25, 2010.

so yea, this is one of the things thats kept him out in the past and I don't see his back soreness being the sort of thing that's going to just go away--he needs significant rest as a best case scenario imo

And I really feel for him as he's fantastic when healthy

[hands11]

I have a question to the folks who like the Webster signing. Do you guys also think that we aren't going to try to re-sign Ariza this summer? Cause if you do think we are going to sign him, how is signing Webster a good thing?

I personally do think we are going to re-sign Ariza, in which case, all within one year, we re-signed Webster, drafted two SF's, and resigned Ariza. That is too much money and talent used for one roster spot.

Its hedging your beats.

We have options. And if we keep all 3, we have options.

Players can get traded. 4M a year would have been better for Webster, but 5M doesn't make him untradeable if the time comes that it the right move.

[closg00]

Those back problems he had might have kiled his career. I was excited to watch him play 2 years ago when the Wolves first got him and I actually liked him a little, but last year he wasnt the same and I wonder if he ever will be.

Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:44

Yeah, some of us had the same concerns.