Wizards 2019 Offseason Thread

[youngWizzy]

I can see brown jr carving out a long career as a jack of all trades, plus defender. He can handle the ball like a primary ball handler, create offense in the pick and roll. He’s very intelligent and an unselfish team guy. I agree though, it’s all about the jumper, he doesn’t have the plus athletic ability to finish around the rim. He seems destined to be a low TS% guy unless he can become a quality 3pt shooter. He has the intangibles though. I remain optimistic.

He’s been a huge net positive in the g league and filled the stat sheet while averaging low turnovers. He’s shot decent from 3pt range as well. There is hope.lazy comparison time, I see Satoransky before he was making shots, but Sato had a background as an elite 3pt shooter in Europe, Brown jr doesn’t. Time will tell.

His game reminds me of Evan Turner with better D.

If he learns to shoot I think he has the handles and passing to move to the off guard spot, and could be like a Pacers-era Lance Stephenson with a higher BBIQ.

He looks flashy and makes some very risky passes. However, I have never seen an NBA player who gets the ball stripped from as easy as he does. I have no faith in his ability to handle the ball or create a shot. Guards in the NBA now whose primary skill is rebounding can't succeed in the league. It's not his fault for being picked its Ernie's.

[Ruzious]

I can see brown jr carving out a long career as a jack of all trades, plus defender. He can handle the ball like a primary ball handler, create offense in the pick and roll. He’s very intelligent and an unselfish team guy. I agree though, it’s all about the jumper, he doesn’t have the plus athletic ability to finish around the rim. He seems destined to be a low TS% guy unless he can become a quality 3pt shooter. He has the intangibles though. I remain optimistic.

He’s been a huge net positive in the g league and filled the stat sheet while averaging low turnovers. He’s shot decent from 3pt range as well. There is hope.lazy comparison time, I see Satoransky before he was making shots, but Sato had a background as an elite 3pt shooter in Europe, Brown jr doesn’t. Time will tell.

His game reminds me of Evan Turner with better D.

If he learns to shoot I think he has the handles and passing to move to the off guard spot, and could be like a Pacers-era Lance Stephenson with a higher BBIQ.

He looks flashy and makes some very risky passes. However, I have never seen an NBA player who gets the ball stripped from as easy as he does. I have no faith in his ability to handle the ball or create a shot. Guards in the NBA now whose primary skill is rebounding can't succeed in the league. It's not his fault for being picked its Ernie's.

SSST - I mean he's turned the ball over a grand total of 8 times. He's played something like 210 minutes - at 19 years old. Fwiw, he's got a nice 4.7/1.4 assist/to ratio per 36 minutes. Kid needs to play more before we make evaluations, imo. But... Ernie fightin for the playoff so he won't become a layoff. What, that's not great poetry?

[nate33]

Gotta laugh at all these reports that Beal was trying to recruit all-stars to come to Washington. The only possible way for an all-star to go to Washington is if Beal is traded to get him.

Bradley... just stop.

That's not entirely true.

Looking at the long term cap situation, it is conceivably possible to generate significant cap room in Summer 2020. At the moment, we only have Wall, Beal and Brown on the books in Summer 2020 for $73M. Add in our 2019 1st, a roster charge for our 2020 1st, and 7 minimum salary roster charges and that's a payroll of $86M. We don't have salary cap projections that far out, but if the cap is $110M next year, and gambling money comes in the year after, the 2020/21 cap limit could be as much as $125M. That's $39M in cap room.

To get there, we would have to only sign guys to 1-year deals this summer, which seems unlikely. And would anybody want to join a team that consists only of Wall, Beal, Brown, our 2019 1st and our 2020 1st? I suppose if our 2019 1st is Zion or Barrett, they might.

All that said, the strategy of finding superstars via free agency is usually a failure, particularly for third rate franchises like Washington. I'd much rather use any cap room to buy picks.

[Ruzious]

Gotta laugh at all these reports that Beal was trying to recruit all-stars to come to Washington. The only possible way for an all-star to go to Washington is if Beal is traded to get him.

Bradley... just stop.

That's not entirely true.

Looking at the long term cap situation, it is conceivably possible to generate significant cap room in Summer 2020. At the moment, we only have Wall, Beal and Brown on the books in Summer 2020 for $73M. Add in our 2019 1st, a roster charge for our 2020 1st, and 7 minimum salary roster charges and that's a payroll of $86M. We don't have salary cap projections that far out, but if the cap is $110M next year, and gambling money comes in the year after, the 2020/21 cap limit could be as much as $125M. That's $39M in cap room.

To get there, we would have to only sign guys to 1-year deals this summer, which seems unlikely. And would anybody want to join a team that consists only of Wall, Beal, Brown, our 2019 1st and our 2020 1st? I suppose if our 2019 1st is Zion or Barrett, they might.

All that said, the strategy of finding superstars via free agency is usually a failure, particularly for third rate franchises like Washington. I'd much rather use any cap room to buy picks.

Realistically, I don't see us signing a max free agent until after Wall's next 4 seasons. It's possible - but unrealistic. We're starting 40 mil in the hole each season with a likely very ordinary John Wall - possibly the worst contract in sports history. And if the cap goes up with gambling revenue, that also means the max contracts go up.

[DCZards]

I can see brown jr carving out a long career as a jack of all trades, plus defender. He can handle the ball like a primary ball handler, create offense in the pick and roll. He’s very intelligent and an unselfish team guy. I agree though, it’s all about the jumper, he doesn’t have the plus athletic ability to finish around the rim. He seems destined to be a low TS% guy unless he can become a quality 3pt shooter. He has the intangibles though. I remain optimistic.

He’s been a huge net positive in the g league and filled the stat sheet while averaging low turnovers. He’s shot decent from 3pt range as well. There is hope.lazy comparison time, I see Satoransky before he was making shots, but Sato had a background as an elite 3pt shooter in Europe, Brown jr doesn’t. Time will tell.

His game reminds me of Evan Turner with better D.

If he learns to shoot I think he has the handles and passing to move to the off guard spot, and could be like a Pacers-era Lance Stephenson with a higher BBIQ.

He looks flashy and makes some very risky passes. However, I have never seen an NBA player who gets the ball stripped from as easy as he does. I have no faith in his ability to handle the ball or create a shot. Guards in the NBA now whose primary skill is rebounding can't succeed in the league. It's not his fault for being picked its Ernie's.

Yes, Brown has had the ball stripped on several occasions. I think that's a function of him both needing to get stronger and him needing to learn that it's not easy to drive through traffic against men with the size, strength, experience and quickness of NBA players.

On the other hand, Troy has shown the ability to create his own shot off the dribble and, while some of his passes have indeed been risky, others have been excellent feeds that displayed his PG skills and high bball IQ.

Brown Jr. should have gotten much more PT this season, giving him a chance to develop. Hopefully, he'll get more PT these last 25 or so games.

[dckingsfan]

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Brown's Assist/TO ratio is pretty darn good, regardless of getting stripped...

[cdouglas]

According to RB BreakThrough, All Stars have approached Beal about playing in DC.

Watch on YouTube

[Kanyewest]

It would be a mistake to trade Beal. In today’s NBA you need 2 (probably 3) top 25 players to compete for a title. Trading a top 25 player like Beal with the hope of eventually securing 2-3 other top 25 players is a huge gamble.

Beal is young and continues to get better. He has yet to reach his peak, imo. He’s a high-character, high-work ethic guy who plays hard all the time and seems to have fun playing the game. BB is also growing in his role as a team leader. That’s the kind of person you want to be the face of your franchise.

If Beal wants to stay in DC and is committed to doing that, I think the Zards would be wise to build around him.

To me, this is a clear case of “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Except, if Beal is top 25 (and I don't think he is), he's in the last 5. What he probably is top 25 in is value as a player - because he's young. I think they need a top 10 player to compete for a conference championship - surrounded by good pieces that fit, and to do that - they need to take a risk. The only risks I see that're going to net them much are trading Beal and tanking.

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

[NatP4]

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Brown's Assist/TO ratio is pretty darn good, regardless of getting stripped...

His assist/TO rate in the g league is outstanding. It’s like 4-1 I believe.

[Ruzious]

It would be a mistake to trade Beal. In today’s NBA you need 2 (probably 3) top 25 players to compete for a title. Trading a top 25 player like Beal with the hope of eventually securing 2-3 other top 25 players is a huge gamble.

Beal is young and continues to get better. He has yet to reach his peak, imo. He’s a high-character, high-work ethic guy who plays hard all the time and seems to have fun playing the game. BB is also growing in his role as a team leader. That’s the kind of person you want to be the face of your franchise.

If Beal wants to stay in DC and is committed to doing that, I think the Zards would be wise to build around him.

To me, this is a clear case of “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Except, if Beal is top 25 (and I don't think he is), he's in the last 5. What he probably is top 25 in is value as a player - because he's young. I think they need a top 10 player to compete for a conference championship - surrounded by good pieces that fit, and to do that - they need to take a risk. The only risks I see that're going to net them much are trading Beal and tanking.

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

[nate33]

Except, if Beal is top 25 (and I don't think he is), he's in the last 5. What he probably is top 25 in is value as a player - because he's young. I think they need a top 10 player to compete for a conference championship - surrounded by good pieces that fit, and to do that - they need to take a risk. The only risks I see that're going to net them much are trading Beal and tanking.

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

Yes but you could also say that have 1 top 1 player. Giannis is the best player in the league and I don't think it's really close.

They also have 2 other guys who are in the top 25-50 range in Middleton and Bledsoe. And Brogdon is statistically as good as those guys as well, though he surely benefits from the defensive attention drawn by others, so I'm not sure if I believe the numbers.

[Ruzious]

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

Yes but you could also say that have 1 top 1 player. Giannis is the best player in the league and I don't think it's really close.

They also have 2 other guys who are in the top 25-50 range in Middleton and Bledsoe. And Brogdon is statistically as good as those guys as well, though he surely benefits from the defensive attention drawn by others, so I'm not sure if I believe the numbers.

Well yeah, you can't have bad players starting for the best team in the NBA - as far as Middleton, Bledsoe and Brogdon. Heck, Anthony Davis has continued to be a top 5 player in the NBA and still can't win. I think he's awfully close to Giannis and until this season was ahead of him. Ya gotta have quality players that complement the top player.

And look at the Bucks' 4 other starters... Bledsoe they acquired for a future 1st rounder that won't be due until at least 2020, Middleton lost a full step after he needed surgery on his hamstring - he can barely defend anyone anymore, Brogdon was a 2nd round pick who's lacking in athleticism, and Lopez was so highly regarded that he was available for $3,382,000 last offseason.

[Kanyewest]

Except, if Beal is top 25 (and I don't think he is), he's in the last 5. What he probably is top 25 in is value as a player - because he's young. I think they need a top 10 player to compete for a conference championship - surrounded by good pieces that fit, and to do that - they need to take a risk. The only risks I see that're going to net them much are trading Beal and tanking.

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

According to this list, the Bucks have 2 (Middleton at 22 and Giannis at 1).

[Ruzious]

That's a take I haven't heard TBH.

BTW, the Ringer rated Beal as having the 19th best this season. It may be hard to keep it up to close the season.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/18/18228916/top-25-nba-players-first-60ish-games

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

According to this list, the Bucks have 2 (Middleton at 22 and Giannis at 1).

I disagree with them. He can't move laterally. He's an awful defensive player.

[DCZards]

And look at the Bucks' 4 other starters... Bledsoe they acquired for a future 1st rounder that won't be due until at least 2020, Middleton lost a full step after he needed surgery on his hamstring - he can barely defend anyone anymore, Brogdon was a 2nd round pick who's lacking in athleticism, and Lopez was so highly regarded that he was available for $3,382,000 last offseason.

This may all be true. But it's also true that Middleton was an all-star, Brogdon was rookie of the year and Lopez is a big who is knocking down 3s at a 37% clip.

[pcbothwel]

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

Yes but you could also say that have 1 top 1 player. Giannis is the best player in the league and I don't think it's really close.

They also have 2 other guys who are in the top 25-50 range in Middleton and Bledsoe. And Brogdon is statistically as good as those guys as well, though he surely benefits from the defensive attention drawn by others, so I'm not sure if I believe the numbers.

Well yeah, you can't have bad players starting for the best team in the NBA - as far as Middleton, Bledsoe and Brogdon. Heck, Anthony Davis has continued to be a top 5 player in the NBA and still can't win. I think he's awfully close to Giannis and until this season was ahead of him. Ya gotta have quality players that complement the top player.

And look at the Bucks' 4 other starters... Bledsoe they acquired for a future 1st rounder that won't be due until at least 2020, Middleton lost a full step after he needed surgery on his hamstring - he can barely defend anyone anymore, Brogdon was a 2nd round pick who's lacking in athleticism, and Lopez was so highly regarded that he was available for $3,382,000 last offseason.

Yup... This would be the perfect draft to take multiple shots in the mid-late 1st round.
Trade 6/7 to Boston for 14/18/24.
Draft:
14: Rui, Okpala, NAW, Culver, Johnson, Little, Doumbouya, Hunter
18: Anyone above or... Bol, Hayes,
24: Anyone above or...Jontay Porter, Clarke, Tre Jones
UDFA: Ponds, Schofield, Thybulle

- You then are 40M under the tax to Bring back Sato, Bryant, and Ariza (Lets say 20M for all 3)
- Full MLE on one of Lamb, Aminu, Mirotic, Rubio, Tyus Jones
- Bi-Annual & Vet Min on Green, Temple, Ellington, Arcidiacono

Sato / Randle / (Wall)
Beal / Brown Jr.
Ariza / Hunter / Thybulle
Mirotic / Clarke / Robinson
Bryant / Mahinmi / Bol

[Illmatic12]

Look at the team with the best record in the NBA. They have 1 top 25 player.

According to this list, the Bucks have 2 (Middleton at 22 and Giannis at 1).

I disagree with them. He can't move laterally. He's an awful defensive player.

You aren't talking about Beal are you? He's the best on our team in terms of lateral movement when defending (other than maybe Tomas). I've long noted that about him

[Ruzious]

According to this list, the Bucks have 2 (Middleton at 22 and Giannis at 1).

I disagree with them. He can't move laterally. He's an awful defensive player.

You aren't talking about Beal are you? He's the best on our team in terms of lateral movement when defending (other than maybe Tomas). I've long noted that about him

No - Middleton - who lost a step from a hamstring injury that required surgery. Agreed on Beal.

[Illmatic12]

I disagree with them. He can't move laterally. He's an awful defensive player.

You aren't talking about Beal are you? He's the best on our team in terms of lateral movement when defending (other than maybe Tomas). I've long noted that about him

No - Middleton - who lost a step from a hamstring injury that required surgery. Agreed on Beal.

Oh ok. Yeah, Middleton weirdly still has a defensive reputation dating back to pre-hamstring tear.
He's actually been a liability for the Bucks if anything.. Budenholzer benched him earlier in the year.

[Ruzious]

You aren't talking about Beal are you? He's the best on our team in terms of lateral movement when defending (other than maybe Tomas). I've long noted that about him

No - Middleton - who lost a step from a hamstring injury that required surgery. Agreed on Beal.

Oh ok. Yeah, Middleton weirdly still has a defensive reputation dating back to pre-hamstring tear.
He's actually been a liability for the Bucks if anything.. Budenholzer benched him earlier in the year.

Yup. It'll be interesting to see what he gets this off-season in free agency. He and Giannis have a strong bond after a rough couple of years - Midds used to abuse him in practice - they'd have wars day after day, and that might have been a big part of Giannis' motivation to keep getting better. I guess you could compare the younger Middleton to Jimmy Butler - as far as how he treated his teammates - he was the bleephole who demanded everyone play his arse off. Even now, he plays with a permanent snarl on his face.