Wizards 2019 Draft Thread - Part II

[Ruzious]

I don't trust Parker to stay in shape and be a team player. I wouldn't sign him for more than $5 mil a year, and someone else is bound to offer him more.

I share your concern about Parker staying in shape...but I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't be a team player.

His debut game with the Wiz, he had 9 assists and made tremendous passes. Since then, he's pretty much strictly looked just to score. He's always been a very individualistic player - going back to when he got about 1 assist a game for Duke - even though folks insists he's a talented passer - he just doesn't do it often. He's also been a completely... uninterested defender pretty much all of his career. Bucks fans point to when they chose not to make an offer for him last offseason as the start of their turnaround.

[Dat2U]

I don't trust Parker to stay in shape and be a team player. I wouldn't sign him for more than $5 mil a year, and someone else is bound to offer him more.

I share your concern about Parker staying in shape...but I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't be a team player.

His debut game with the Wiz, he had 9 assists and made tremendous passes. Since then, he's pretty much strictly looked just to score. He's always been a very individualistic player - going back to when he got about 1 assist a game for Duke - even though folks insists he's a talented passer - he just doesn't do it often. He's also been a completely... uninterested defender pretty much all of his career. Bucks fans point to when they chose not to make an offer for him last offseason as the start of their turnaround.

I agree. I don't trust him to be the best version of himself every night. He wasn't in Milwaukee or Chicago. I assumed his push at the end of last season was just to "secure the bag"

I would be very careful about the vets I surround a roster of young players. Not all vets are guys to learn from. Parker is physically dripping with basketball ability, for some reason he's gotten in his own way. I'd rather find a lesser talented vet that maximizes every ounce of ability.

[TGW]

I think a guy that maybe worth a second round look is Isiah Roby. His combine showing was solid in both measurements and drills.

He measured at 6'8.5" with a 7'1" wingspan. 9" hands. Ranked 9th in the lane agility drill (beating several guards) and had a 36" vert. He also did well in the shooting drills. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.

I think he's worth a mid-second round pick.

[payitforward]

I think a guy that maybe worth a second round look is Isiah Roby. His combine showing was solid in both measurements and drills.

He measured at 6'8.5" with a 7'1" wingspan. 9" hands. Ranked 9th in the lane agility drill (beating several guards) and had a 36" vert. He also did well in the shooting drills. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.

I think he's worth a mid-second round pick.

Roby played 3 years in college. But his junior year production numbers are low, really mediocre. Of course, he still might turn out ok! But, I'd rank him as a low R2, not medium.

In any case, we would have to buy the pick -- & if we did, IMO there are a bunch of guys we'd be better off to use it on.

[TGW]

I think a guy that maybe worth a second round look is Isiah Roby. His combine showing was solid in both measurements and drills.

He measured at 6'8.5" with a 7'1" wingspan. 9" hands. Ranked 9th in the lane agility drill (beating several guards) and had a 36" vert. He also did well in the shooting drills. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.

I think he's worth a mid-second round pick.

Roby played 3 years in college. But his junior year production numbers are low, really mediocre. Of course, he still might turn out ok! But, I'd rank him as a low R2, not medium.

In any case, we would have to buy the pick -- & if we did, IMO there are a bunch of guys we'd be better off to use it on.

I understand that his college career was underwhelming. But with second rounders, my view is either you draft and stash or you swing for the fences. He would be a big swing for sure; however, at 6'9" with a 7'1 wingspan and good wheels/solid vert, you at least have the clay.

[payitforward]

I responded -- but moved discussion to the "potential draft bargains" thread.

[Kanyewest]

I don't trust Parker to stay in shape and be a team player. I wouldn't sign him for more than $5 mil a year, and someone else is bound to offer him more.

I share your concern about Parker staying in shape...but I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't be a team player.

His debut game with the Wiz, he had 9 assists and made tremendous passes. Since then, he's pretty much strictly looked just to score. He's always been a very individualistic player - going back to when he got about 1 assist a game for Duke - even though folks insists he's a talented passer - he just doesn't do it often. He's also been a completely... uninterested defender pretty much all of his career. Bucks fans point to when they chose not to make an offer for him last offseason as the start of their turnaround.

With the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.7 assists per game. Without the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.5 assists per game.

[Ruzious]

I share your concern about Parker staying in shape...but I don't see any reason to believe he wouldn't be a team player.

His debut game with the Wiz, he had 9 assists and made tremendous passes. Since then, he's pretty much strictly looked just to score. He's always been a very individualistic player - going back to when he got about 1 assist a game for Duke - even though folks insists he's a talented passer - he just doesn't do it often. He's also been a completely... uninterested defender pretty much all of his career. Bucks fans point to when they chose not to make an offer for him last offseason as the start of their turnaround.

With the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.7 assists per game. Without the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.5 assists per game.

So?

[payitforward]

It's amazing how much people liked Jabari.... Well, he was entertaining. & he replaced a guy who, however good he is, was never a "flashy" player -- which Jabari is. Given that Otto was having a bad season, that first game w/ Parker, & the fact that we went 2-0 in his first 2 games seem to have been enough of a surprise to make him a kind of favorite. Kind of a gunslinger hero.

Only problem is that he isn't actually a good NBA player over any reasonable length of time. He never has been, & he isn't likely to become one any time soon. Or at least there's no particular reason to imagine he will.

We won 32 games. Ernie is gone. Obviously, we are heading into a rebuild -- with whatever differences of opinion as to how to do it. Hard to see what would recommend Jabari to be part of that process.

[FAH1223]

It's amazing how much people liked Jabari.... Well, he was entertaining. & he replaced a guy who, however good he is, was never a "flashy" player -- which Jabari is. Given that Otto was having a bad season, that first game w/ Parker, & the fact that we went 2-0 in his first 2 games seem to have been enough of a surprise to make him a kind of favorite. Kind of a gunslinger hero.

Only problem is that he isn't actually a good NBA player over any reasonable length of time. He never has been, & he isn't likely to become one any time soon. Or at least there's no particular reason to imagine he will.

We won 32 games. Ernie is gone. Obviously, we are heading into a rebuild -- with whatever differences of opinion as to how to do it. Hard to see what would recommend Jabari to be part of that process.

if only we extended Otto to a 4 year $70-80M deal in October 2016 like any prudent GM should have done...

[DCZards]

It's amazing how much people liked Jabari.... Well, he was entertaining. & he replaced a guy who, however good he is, was never a "flashy" player -- which Jabari is. Given that Otto was having a bad season, that first game w/ Parker, & the fact that we went 2-0 in his first 2 games seem to have been enough of a surprise to make him a kind of favorite. Kind of a gunslinger hero.

Only problem is that he isn't actually a good NBA player over any reasonable length of time. He never has been, & he isn't likely to become one any time soon. Or at least there's no particular reason to imagine he will.

We won 32 games. Ernie is gone. Obviously, we are heading into a rebuild -- with whatever differences of opinion as to how to do it. Hard to see what would recommend Jabari to be part of that process.

if only we extended Otto to a 4 year $70-80M deal in October 2016 like any prudent GM should have done...

The Zards tried to extend Otto in 2016 but they couldn't cut a deal. David Falk had other plans.

This is from a July 2017 issue of The Washington Post.

Make no mistake, the Wizards always planned to keep Porter. Even when the two sides did not agree to an extension on Porter’s rookie-scale contract before the Oct. 31 deadline, which made him a free agent after the season, Grunfeld still broadcast the team’s desires to sign Porter to a long-term deal when the time came. In 2015, Falk told the Boston Herald in reference to Jared Sullinger that he has “never done a contract extension for a rookie who didn’t make the max since 1996.” So if Falk wanted a max for Porter in October, then that explains why no agreement on an extension was reached.

[Kanyewest]

His debut game with the Wiz, he had 9 assists and made tremendous passes. Since then, he's pretty much strictly looked just to score. He's always been a very individualistic player - going back to when he got about 1 assist a game for Duke - even though folks insists he's a talented passer - he just doesn't do it often. He's also been a completely... uninterested defender pretty much all of his career. Bucks fans point to when they chose not to make an offer for him last offseason as the start of their turnaround.

With the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.7 assists per game. Without the 9 assist game, Parker averaged 2.5 assists per game.

So?

It didn't effect his assist numbers. It didn't make him anymore valuable or less, unless you think 0.2 assists per game is significant

[nate33]

It's amazing how much people liked Jabari.... Well, he was entertaining. & he replaced a guy who, however good he is, was never a "flashy" player -- which Jabari is. Given that Otto was having a bad season, that first game w/ Parker, & the fact that we went 2-0 in his first 2 games seem to have been enough of a surprise to make him a kind of favorite. Kind of a gunslinger hero.

Only problem is that he isn't actually a good NBA player over any reasonable length of time. He never has been, & he isn't likely to become one any time soon. Or at least there's no particular reason to imagine he will.

We won 32 games. Ernie is gone. Obviously, we are heading into a rebuild -- with whatever differences of opinion as to how to do it. Hard to see what would recommend Jabari to be part of that process.

It's possible to recognize that Parker wasn't a particularly effective player, while also believe that he is a very talented player who could conceivably be an All-Star caliber player if things broke right.

I see minimal downside in a 2+1 contract, even if it's for $12M a year or so. Parker fits a position of need (PF) and a role of need (scorer). He's young, and it's possible that he matures into an extremely good player. What else do we plan on doing with that cap room over the next 2 seasons? Sign a 34-year-old Taj Gibson?

[queridiculo]

I think a guy that maybe worth a second round look is Isiah Roby. His combine showing was solid in both measurements and drills.

He measured at 6'8.5" with a 7'1" wingspan. 9" hands. Ranked 9th in the lane agility drill (beating several guards) and had a 36" vert. He also did well in the shooting drills. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.

I think he's worth a mid-second round pick.

If he's really going in the 2nd there's probably not much of chance he'll end up in Washington. I'm not convinced that the Wizards are going to make the financial commitment to buy a 2nd round draft pick.

From the guys Washington has worked out up to this point it seems to me like the Wizards are auditioning guys that might be available as undrafted free agents.

The Wizards have a ton of roster spots to fill, wouldn't surprise me if that's one route their entertaining to fill vacancies.

[Rafael122]

I'm very interested to see who they will bring in for workouts next week and into the following week. The NBA Draft is in 2 weeks and I don't think they brought in a single player this week who was projected to be a first round pick.

[nate33]

I think a guy that maybe worth a second round look is Isiah Roby. His combine showing was solid in both measurements and drills.

He measured at 6'8.5" with a 7'1" wingspan. 9" hands. Ranked 9th in the lane agility drill (beating several guards) and had a 36" vert. He also did well in the shooting drills. By all accounts, he's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.

I think he's worth a mid-second round pick.

Roby played 3 years in college. But his junior year production numbers are low, really mediocre. Of course, he still might turn out ok! But, I'd rank him as a low R2, not medium.

In any case, we would have to buy the pick -- & if we did, IMO there are a bunch of guys we'd be better off to use it on.

I understand that his college career was underwhelming. But with second rounders, my view is either you draft and stash or you swing for the fences. He would be a big swing for sure; however, at 6'9" with a 7'1 wingspan and good wheels/solid vert, you at least have the clay.

It's weird how his junior year production dropped off so precipitously. I wonder if there's an explanation. Injury perhaps? Or maybe it was that he came off the bench for most of his sophomore year but struggled in his junior year as a starter playing against the opposition's best players.

Overall, his athletic measureables are impressive, but his actual production isn't. I'm alarmed at the sub 50% 2P%, the underwhelming rebounding (8.9 boards per 40 minutes) and the fact that he declined so much in his third season. If there's a reasonable justification for his third season decline, he might be worth a look. Otherwise, I would not draft him. He might be worth a camp invite if he goes undrafted.

[Rafael122]

Sekou will have his Pro Day on Saturday.

[80sballboy]

All I know is that the draft is in two weeks and we have yet to work out a first-round/lottery player.

[Ruzious]

Sekou will have his Pro Day on Saturday.

If he's Washington's pick, it could be koombaya for Doumbouya. No? Ok, sorry. There sure are a lot of Euro PF's that are making the draft intriguing.

[payitforward]

It's amazing how much people liked Jabari.... Well, he was entertaining. & he replaced a guy who, however good he is, was never a "flashy" player -- which Jabari is. Given that Otto was having a bad season, that first game w/ Parker, & the fact that we went 2-0 in his first 2 games seem to have been enough of a surprise to make him a kind of favorite. Kind of a gunslinger hero.

Only problem is that he isn't actually a good NBA player over any reasonable length of time. He never has been, & he isn't likely to become one any time soon. Or at least there's no particular reason to imagine he will.

We won 32 games. Ernie is gone. Obviously, we are heading into a rebuild -- with whatever differences of opinion as to how to do it. Hard to see what would recommend Jabari to be part of that process.

It's possible to recognize that Parker wasn't a particularly effective player, while also believe that he is a very talented player who could conceivably be an All-Star caliber player if things broke right.

I see minimal downside in a 2+1 contract, even if it's for $12M a year or so. Parker fits a position of need (PF) and a role of need (scorer). He's young, and it's possible that he matures into an extremely good player. What else do we plan on doing with that cap room over the next 2 seasons? Sign a 34-year-old Taj Gibson?

Certainly not! But, here's how the salary structure looks to me. If I'm wrong, it affects the issue of rolling the dice on Jabari:

Assuming we re-sign Sato/Bryant for say, $15m & McRae/Philip stick, & we make our #9 pick, we are at $111.4m for 10 players (i.e. those 5 plus Beal, Brown, Mahinmi, Wall & Howard).

If we use the MLE & BAE, we are at 12 players & @$124m. Tommy Sheppard is said to be trying to buy a R2 pick from Philly (presumably the #33 or 34), so lets assume he can do so. Make it 13 guys & $125m.

Doing the arithmetic in my head. Do I have that about right so far?

Jabari at $12m would take us to 14 & $137m. Given that John isn't going to play & Howard is a good bet to play very little then be injured (I think it was you who projected 20 games for him, no?), it might be sensible to carry 15 guys. So, lets add Green, since no one is likely to object, taking us to $138.5m for 15 players. Which is either up against or more likely a little over the tax, if I'm right.

Now... it might not go down like that, obviously! But, there are two things that concern me, rightly or wrongly: 1) I'd like one more rookie than that, & 2) I'd a lot rather be looking for a young player I felt more confident about than about Jabari -- confident that he'll be good.

I don't think my #1 is much of an objection. We could still wind up with the extra pick I'm hoping for -- & let McRae or Philip go; neither of them is guaranteed.

But I do think my 2d objection is real. The Washington Wizards are not a good team, period. We are a bad team. I cannot see it as sensible for us to make a long shot bet of this kind.

Jabari will be entering his 6th season this Fall. He's not some guy just starting out; he's had a lot of opportunities & made nothing of them. I'm pretty skeptical about the idea that he will ever be a good NBA player, period -- let alone an outstanding one, a guy at the all star level.