Wizards 2019 Offseason Thread

[DCZards]

I'd try to sign JaMychal Green. Shoots 3pters at around 40%. Good FT shooter. Average rebounder for a PF. Plays hard and smart. Green's no youngster at 29, and would be the vet presence at the forward position that the Zards currently lack.

Plus we can save money and give him Uncle Jeff's uni.

[dckingsfan]

A couple of things I didn't understand in this off-season.

First, I would have slotted Brown as our starting PG as soon as we new Sato was gone. We would have had

Brown/?
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we just added Thomas for the vet minimum

Brown/Thomas
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we decide to keep McRae


Brown/Thomas
Beal/McRae
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

There are plenty of PF still out there...

Then we use our trade exemption to take on a SF.

Then we fill the rest of the roster with the young guys like Bonga, etc.. It didn't seem as difficult as it is turning out?

[nate33]

This is looking like a 20 win team.

I think Beal alone gets them to the 25-30 range. There are enough bad teams and schedule wins that it's hard not to win 25 as long as you try. Cleveland played at a 21-win pace last year in the 60 games that Kevin Love missed. Who was their best player? Jordan Clarkson?

I think Beal and Bryant are both better than everyone on that Cleveland team so I think we can do a little better than them.

[DCZards]

A couple of things I didn't understand in this off-season.

First, I would have slotted Brown as our starting PG as soon as we new Sato was gone. We would have had

Brown/?
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we just added Thomas for the vet minimum

Brown/Thomas
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we decide to keep McRae


Brown/Thomas
Beal/McRae
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

There are plenty of PF still out there...

Then we use our trade exemption to take on a SF.

Then we fill the rest of the roster with the young guys like Bonga, etc.. It didn't seem as difficult as it is turning out?

With two rookies starting and a second-year player with minimal experience running the point, that last team is awfully young and raw.

I could see Brown as the starter at PG, but the Zards probably wanted to hedge their bets by bringing in vets like Ish Smith and I. Thomas. I think that was a wise move given the importance of the PG position and Brown's lack of experience. Having Smith and Thomas on board also allows the Zards to give Brown quality minutes at SG and SF.

I have high hopes for Schofield, but I'm not sure I'd slot him as the starter at SF at this point. Brown might be that guy.

[nate33]

A couple of things I didn't understand in this off-season.

First, I would have slotted Brown as our starting PG as soon as we new Sato was gone. We would have had

Brown/?
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we just added Thomas for the vet minimum

Brown/Thomas
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we decide to keep McRae


Brown/Thomas
Beal/McRae
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

There are plenty of PF still out there...

Then we use our trade exemption to take on a SF.

Then we fill the rest of the roster with the young guys like Bonga, etc.. It didn't seem as difficult as it is turning out?

Agree completely. I think the Ish Smith signing was a waste of assets. Better to play Brown at guard and spend the MLE on one pretty good youngish forward (Vonleh, Parker, Kleber, Lamb) and the BAE on a cheap veteran mentor type (Faried, J.Green, Shumpert).

Ultimately, they would have come away with a potential long term asset with that MLE, not merely a short term stop gap.

On the upside, at least it's only a short term deal. They didn't do something delusional like sign a 30-year-old Derrick Rose for 4 years.

[dckingsfan]

A couple of things I didn't understand in this off-season.

First, I would have slotted Brown as our starting PG as soon as we new Sato was gone. We would have had

Brown/?
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we just added Thomas for the vet minimum

Brown/Thomas
Beal/?
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

If we decide to keep McRae


Brown/Thomas
Beal/McRae
Schofield/?
Hachimura/???
Bryant/Howard/Mahinmi

There are plenty of PF still out there...

Then we use our trade exemption to take on a SF.

Then we fill the rest of the roster with the young guys like Bonga, etc.. It didn't seem as difficult as it is turning out?

With two rookies starting and a second-year player with minimal experience running the point, that last team is awfully young and raw.

I could see Brown as the starter at PG, but the Zards probably wanted to hedge their bets by bringing in vets like Ish Smith and I. Thomas. I think that was a wise move given the importance of the PG position and Brown's lack of experience. Having Smith and Thomas on board also allows the Zards to give Brown quality minutes at SG and SF.

I have high hopes for Schofield, but I'm not sure I'd slot him as the starter at SF at this point. Brown might be that guy.

Respectfully, we aren't making the playoffs. I think it was imprudent not developing Brown now. The rest of the mistakes fell out of that logic mistake. And actually, if Brown blows up as the starting PG - you might actually make the playoffs.

#stillsowizards

[dckingsfan]

This is looking like a 20 win team.

I think Beal alone gets them to the 25-30 range. There are enough bad teams and schedule wins that it's hard not to win 25 as long as you try. Cleveland played at a 21-win pace last year in the 60 games that Kevin Love missed. Who was their best player? Jordan Clarkson?

I think Beal and Bryant are both better than everyone on that Cleveland team so I think we can do a little better than them.

2nd to last in the East!!!!!

[doclinkin]

...
I think it looks more like this:

PG Smith/Thomas
SG Beal/McRae
SF Brown/Schofield
PF Hachimura/???
C Bryant/Wagner

I think Howard is going to be bought out. And I think they're going to add one more PF. If it's Parker, it would sure help the second unit offense, but I think they're worried about how Parker would impact Hachimura. So they might go with Faried or JayMichael Green.

So, then

PG Smith/Thomas/Robinson/Bonga
SG Beal/McRae/Phillip
SF Brown/Schofield/Jones
PF Hachimura/???
C Bryant/Wagner/Mahinmi

...plus Wall not playing. That's 15 w/ no one behind Hachimura. Hence very likely becomes 16. The guys in italics are not guaranteed. If we pick up another player, one of them will have to go. Robinson is partly-guaranteed; we don't know the details yet, but I doubt he'll be cut unless he sucks in SL.

Plus two two-way contracts. Of which Robinson may be one.

We haven’t seen our Summer league squad play but I’m especially intrigued by Troy Caupain Jr — a 6’4” guard who can play on and off the ball, passes and rebounds well, and was a +/- standout and defensive leader in the G last year. Players don’t get noticed for defense in the G league so many don’t play it. I like a guy who plays to win regardless.

And I’d like to see how Corey Davis works out for similar reasons. Though SL will have other players at need positions since we are top heavy with (eh) PGs right now.

As for the rest of the roster. It still feels like the team will be looking for some kind of two-(or more)-for-one deal with some of the assets we acquired.

Howard. Simmons. Tarik. Etc. And our TPE, plus future 2nds are all likely being shopped.

[Rainwater]

This is looking like a 20 win team.

It pretty much does, so many young players who are unknowns.

[JWizmentality]

As per Candace's twitter, Tommy boy was spotted talking to DMC in Vegas.


My body is ready.

[Wizfanman]

I wont be surprised if this team is better than expected. Especially if Beal continues to rise to elite levels. As long as Beal stays healthy I see us between 30 -40 wins.

[nate33]

I'd try to sign JaMychal Green. Shoots 3pters at around 40%. Good FT shooter. Average rebounder for a PF. Plays hard and smart. Green's no youngster at 29, and would be the vet presence at the forward position that the Zards currently lack.

Plus we can save money and give him Uncle Jeff's uni.

I'd be fine with this too. Green, Faried or Parker. We should add one of them.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

Holiday is 30, so a bit old for my tastes, but if he can be had cheaply, it'll definitely bolster the defense.

We really need a PF though. Hachimura is the only natural PF on the roster.

[DCZards]

Respectfully, we aren't making the playoffs. I think it was imprudent not developing Brown now. The rest of the mistakes fell out of that logic mistake. And actually, if Brown blows up as the starting PG - you might actually make the playoffs.

#stillsowizards

Yup...probably not making the playoffs. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to win games, while developing Brown as both a guard and small forward.

And don't forget the Zards have a pretty good PG returning to the lineup by the 2020-21 season. So it's smart to have Troy capable of playing 2-3 positions--and not plan (at least not yet) on him being your long-term starting PG.

[dckingsfan]

Respectfully, we aren't making the playoffs. I think it was imprudent not developing Brown now. The rest of the mistakes fell out of that logic mistake. And actually, if Brown blows up as the starting PG - you might actually make the playoffs.

#stillsowizards

Yup...probably not making the playoffs. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to win games, while developing Brown as both a guard and small forward.

And don't forget the Zards have a pretty good PG returning to the lineup by the 2020-21 season. So it's smart to have Troy capable of playing 2-3 positions--and not plan (at least not yet) on him being your long-term starting PG.

It also doesn't mean that you shouldn't have him start a PG. And by making the moves that we did - it just isn't going to happen. Many times the moves of the FO dictate PT and position. I respectfully agree to disagree with you on this one... IMO, not well done.

[dckingsfan]

I wont be surprised if this team is better than expected. Especially if Beal continues to rise to elite levels. As long as Beal stays healthy I see us between 30 -40 wins.

Pretty wide range. Do you think we are better than we were last year at 32 wins?

[80sballboy]

I wont be surprised if this team is better than expected. Especially if Beal continues to rise to elite levels. As long as Beal stays healthy I see us between 30 -40 wins.

That's cool to be optimistic. Beal was great last year and the Wiz won 32 games. That's with Portis, Otto, Parker, Ariza, and Sato playing significant minutes at one point or the other. Worst defense in the league. Not sure the upgrade with Rui, Troy, Admiral, Ish, IT and yes Bryant (not good on D yet). It's likely worse defensively. There will be a lot of growing pains. Beal can only do so much. Now if you add Boogie, if he's in shape and somewhat healthy, they could be in that 33-35 range.

[dckingsfan]

Wall/Boogie = Achilles Brothers?

[nate33]

I wont be surprised if this team is better than expected. Especially if Beal continues to rise to elite levels. As long as Beal stays healthy I see us between 30 -40 wins.

That's cool to be optimistic. Beal was great last year and the Wiz won 32 games. That's with Portis, Otto, Parker, Ariza, and Sato playing significant minutes at one point or the other. Worst defense in the league.

They were bad, but not the worst. They ranked 28th by DRtg. Ignore the last 10 games and they ranked 25th.

[DCZards]

This is from The Athletic on the remaining free agent options for the Zards. We've talked about most of these players.

Here are some free agents they could consider:

Jabari Parker
Power forward
2018-19 teams: Wizards, Bulls

The Wizards didn’t enter this offseason believing they had to bring back Parker, though they considered it a possibility if absolutely necessary. And now, it might just be necessary.

Washington’s two best creators behind Beal are Smith and Thomas. Smith’s efficiency consistently bogs down because of an inability to get to the line matched with an inconsistent 3-point shot. Thomas, meanwhile, is no guarantee to stay on the floor.
Parker has injury issues, too, but he was healthy last season, already knows the system and doesn’t hurt the team’s flexibility if he returns. The Wizards don’t have to use an exception to re-sign him and can pay up to $24 million in 2019-20 salary, though they obviously wouldn’t come close to that price.

The team has two goals for this free agency, and if mismanaged, pushing too hard to accomplish one of them could lead to messing up the other. The Wizards don’t want to hand out contracts they think could turn into bad ones, but they also aren’t looking for one-year rental situations with guys trying to put up numbers and get back out on the market for 2020 free agency. Those goals, of course, would complicate a Parker return.

Right now, Brown is the projected starting small forward and Hachimura is the first-string power forward. But the Wizards don’t want to throw Hachimura into the deep end right away and would like to avoid the same for Brown, though both will receive minutes from Day 1. Parker could start at the four. He could eat up minutes. He could score and pass on the break. Even with his clear defensive flaws, those are traits that will help this squad.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Forward
2018-19 team: Nets

Think Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, all the way down to the hyphen. Hollis-Jefferson doesn’t make or even take 3s, but he can do the out-of-control, barrel-to-the-basket moves that energetic forwards pull off to get his buckets. He plays and cuts hard. He’s long and defends, which the Wizards desperately need.

There’s a decent chance Washington has the worst defense in the NBA next season. Hollis-Jefferson’s presence might not even be enough to change that, but the need to sign a defensive-minded guy isn’t as much about improving the defense as it is about building an accountable culture. The Wizards don’t want their young players (Brown, Bryant, Hachimura, Schofield, etc.) to build up bad habits venturing out of place and trying to recover for frantic teammates.

At least Hollis-Jefferson can make a difference on the ball. He can use his stringy arms for good. He’s a well-liked teammate and cheery personality. He’s still only 24 years old. The Wizards might not hand him the entire biannual, but — especially if he ends up costing just the minimum — he could easily step in and start at one of the forward spots.

JaMychal Green
Power forward
2018-19 teams: Clippers, Grizzlies

There are health concerns, but the Wizards can’t be too picky, and if the market dries for Green, why shouldn’t they try to swoop in?

He’s a 3-point shooting, high-energy power forward who could space the floor for guys such as Beal and Smith, who like to operate around midrange. Green made 45 percent of his corner 3s. When Smith comes around a ball screen or Beal gets to the middle, it wouldn’t be as easy to collapse on them.

He might still be too expensive, though. Green was a rotation piece for a playoff team with the Clippers, who would have lots of money to spend if they miss out on Leonard in free agency. The power forward’s market could expand once Leonard chooses his team. If the Lakers end up Kawhi-less, they could throw money at Green, too. But there’s no question he’s someone who could provide an upgrade in Washington.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Wing
2018-29 team: Lakers

Caldwell-Pope, who’s had off-court issues that could suffocate any potential Wizards interest, is another guy who might be waiting for Leonard to make a decision. On top of playing for the Lakers last season, he also shares an agent with LeBron James. But Caldwell-Pope would certainly be one of the Wizards’ best players if he made the hop to D.C. He’d instantly be their top defender on the wing or anywhere else. He’s improved as a catch-and-shoot option. He’s been durable for his entire career.

It feels like he’s been around forever, but he’s still just 26 years old. Remember, if he costs more than the biannual (which is probable), the Wizards could still make a play if the league grants them the $9.3 million disabled player exception, though they are allowed to hand out only a one-year contract using that exception. The logistics here aren’t probable, but there’s a world in which Caldwell-Pope’s market plummets and he ends up having to take a cheaper deal. And maybe in that scenario, the Wizards could land him with a $3.6 million biannual offer or a little more.

Vince Carter
Wing
2018-19 team: Hawks

It is absolute insanity that signing a 42-year-old could work for more than just chemistry-related reasons, but insanity is, after all, part of Carter’s brand. Carter has shown that he genuinely enjoys hanging around on young teams and showing inexperienced players how a Hall of Famer conducts himself. He’s spent the past two seasons on losing squads in Atlanta and Sacramento — by his choice.

He’s playing one more season. He could do wonders for the guys in Washington’s locker room who are so young, they weren’t even born yet when Carter was drafted back in 1998. And you know what? He’d help on the court, even if he wouldn’t play more than
He won’t cost more than the minimum, and the Wizards might be able to sell this situation to him.

Quinn Cook
Point guard
2018-19 team: Warriors

Maybe this one’s a reach, but let’s stretch for it anyway. The Wizards already have three point guards. Smith will start and play regular minutes. But Wall is done for possibly the entire upcoming season, and Thomas has played only 44 games since undergoing hip surgery two years ago. Coaches and execs can have all the high hopes they want for the former All-NBAer, but any realistic angle is that he’ll miss at least some time. And even if he doesn’t, Washington could justify another point guard.

Smith is tiny. Thomas is tinier. Cook, who grew up in the D.C. area, provides a little more point guard size. He shoots. He could play next to Smith in smaller lineups.

There is no longer any chance that Cook will return next season to the Warriors, who just rescinded his qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. He might be too expensive for the Wizards anyway. But even if it would make the roster construction funky, the Wizards are in a place where they can overlook those sorts of things. If they can acquire a good NBA player, they should go ahead and get him, then worry about the rest later.

Stanley Johnson
Forward
2018-19 teams: Pelicans, Pistons

Interim general manager Tommy Sheppard has shown an obvious strategy during his short time leading the front office: He’s targeting former first-round picks and seeing if they can revive their careers with the Wizards. He did it in trading for Mo Wagner, whom the Lakers drafted No. 25 in 2018. He did it in sliding Anzejs Pasecniks, who went 25th in 2017, onto the Wizards’ summer league team.

Signing Johnson, who went eighth in 2015 and will cost only the minimum this summer, would be a similar move.
He’s 23 years old, guards multiple positions and is particularly physical on the defensive end. He’s never been able to develop an offensive skill set. The jumper is flat. Touch around the rim isn’t there. But he’s the type of guy the Wizards could try to work with internally to see if they have something for the long term, which is, after all, what matters more than this upcoming season.

Justin Holiday
Small forward
2018-19 teams: Grizzlies, Bulls

Holiday might check more boxes than any other player on this list. He defends. He can score a little, mostly as a shooter.
He’s bounced around the league but has received legitimate opportunities to play for each of the past three seasons and even received enough interest on the midseason trade market that the Grizzlies gave up two second-round picks for him mere months ago.

Maybe the biannual would be enough for him. If not, the Wizards might have to dig into the DPE (if they receive it) to give him a one-year stopgap deal. But they need someone to play small forward. And he could do it as capably as any other realistic candidate out there.

Trey Lyles
Power forward
2018-19 team: Nuggets

Lyles is a restricted free agent, which would add complications to a hypothetical pursuit from the Wizards considering Washington would have to wait 48 hours after signing him to an offer sheet to see if Denver would match it. But if he lingers late enough into free agency, why not take a swing?

He fell out of the Nuggets’ rotation in the postseason, and his 3-point shooting from above the break dropped off a cliff during the regular season, but he has a history of making 3s from the four-spot and can slide over to center in some lineups, too. In spite of the dreadful jump-shooting numbers from last season, he actually still made his limited shots from the corners, which is where the Wizards could position him alongside Bryant in the dunker’s spot.

Denver’s roster is getting expensive, and it would like to avoid the tax. If Lyles receives a multiyear offer, maybe the Nuggets don’t match on a guy who couldn’t even receive playoff minutes for them last year.