Woj - Westbrook for Wall and 1st Rounder

[doclinkin]

Well I think it's possible westbrook's numbers dipped more due to harden than they did due to him being in open decline, maybe .

Meaning, as in OKC with Durant or also with Harden, he had difficulty sharing the ball with another scorer and making it work. But as a one man show his numbers are through the roof. Got it. Good thing he won't have teammates in DC either.

[WallToWall]

I hated this trade when I heard about it. I still hate that we are giving up a R1 pick. We are a bad team trying to rebuild. Giving up a R1 pick ain't the way to do it.

If we flip Westbrook, we get the R1 pick back, maybe more. If, before the trade deadline, we are nowhere close to a playoff spot, I can see us flipping Westbrook, among others.
A little surprised at your reaction, PIF. Just on the numbers alone, Westbrook > Wall. That alone should make the trade acceptable. Now, Westbrook will be around good shooters. Think about his assist numbers, in addition to the fact that those shooters will take the pressure off of him.
I too dont like to see Wall go. But if we have to trade wall, this is a good return.

[detlef_schrempf]

The negativity here is kind of laughable. Westbrook plays harder than anyone in the NBA, and Beal wants him in DC with him. This team will make the playoffs.

[gambitx777]

They played together when they were young harden wasn't harden then of now and I'd was kd but westbrook hadn't blossumed yet.

Well I think it's possible westbrook's numbers dipped more due to harden than they did due to him being in open decline, maybe .

Meaning, as in OKC with Durant or also with Harden, he had difficulty sharing the ball with another scorer and making it work. But as a one man show his numbers are through the roof. Got it. Good thing he won't have teammates in DC either.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[BobbyD10]

Hey Fellas, BobbyD here (used to be dandridge10). Haven't posted in a long time, but still lurk here every now and then. Hope everyone is doing well.

Regarding Wall, while I am not happy we gave up a draft pick to get Westbrook, I am comforted a bit that it is pretty heavily protected starting in 2023. I could understand why Tommy made the trade as Westbrook, although a bit older, is more durable, is the better player (although both have similar issues), is not coming off a major injury, and could be more valuable as a trade chip later down the road. I also could understand the thinking that Westbrook might mesh better with Beal and our team. Not only is he a better rebounder, which is needed for a team deficient in that area, but he plays much better off the ball than Wall. While Beal is primarily a scorer, Beal showed last year that he can handle the ball and be a playmaker. When handling the ball, he will have one more player he can dish to (Wall always stood and just watched when he didn't have the ball). I also like Westbrooks competitive spirit, which could be infectious to the younger players. I don't particularly like Westbrooks me first style of play, but I'm willing to at least give it a shot and see how he gels with this team before I criticize the trade.

I think most of the people that are pissed about the trade are reacting emotionally because we drafted Wall and he has been with us for so long. Maybe it is easier for me to accept the trade because I have never really been that big of a fan of Wall, primarily because of his porous defense, unwillingness to move without the ball, and his lack of leadership. As I mentioned before, I also have a friend in the Wizards organization (player personnel not in management) that has told me things about Wall that I believe are true...mostly about poor work ethic and partying. I know some people have questioned my source, but it is a solid one. Ironically, my friend did tell me that John was in very good shape this year, FWIW.

Regarding Tommy saying that Wall wasn't going to traded, I don't have an issue. Maybe things changed between the time he said it and now. Or maybe he just didn't want to say he wanted to trade Wall because he didn't want Houston to believe he was desperate. It could have been a factor on why Houston settled for a heavily protected pick, as opposed to demanding a pick without protections. I really don't care. It is a business and teams send out false information all the time to get an edge.

One interesting thing is that my friend texted Wall after the trade and he said Wall replied with a bunch of expletives, which seems to conflict with the reports that he wanted out. Or maybe he just didn't want to go to Houston. I don't know.

Bottom line for me is that this trade gives me a reason to watch the Wizards again, even if it is just temporary to see how things work out. That is worth something.

[truwizfan4evr]

Hey Fellas, BobbyD here (used to be dandridge10). Haven't posted in a long time, but still lurk here every now and then. Hope everyone is doing well.

Regarding Wall, while I am not happy we gave up a draft pick to get Westbrook, I am comforted a bit that it is pretty heavily protected starting in 2023. I could understand why Tommy made the trade as Westbrook, although a bit older, is more durable, is the better player (although both have similar issues), is not coming off a major injury, and could be more valuable as a trade chip later down the road. I also could understand the thinking that Westbrook might mesh better with Beal and our team. Not only is he a better rebounder, which is needed for a team deficient in that area, but he plays much better off the ball than Wall. While Beal is primarily a scorer, Beal showed last year that he can handle the ball and be a playmaker. When handling the ball, he will have one more player he can dish to (Wall always stood and just watched when he didn't have the ball). I also like Westbrooks competitive spirit, which could be infectious to the younger players. I don't particularly like Westbrooks me first style of play, but I'm willing to at least give it a shot and see how he gels with this team before I criticize the trade.

I think most of the people that are pissed about the trade are reacting emotionally because we drafted Wall and he has been with us for so long. Maybe it is easier for me to accept the trade because I have never really been that big of a fan of Wall, primarily because of his porous defense, unwillingness to move without the ball, and his lack of leadership. As I mentioned before, I also have a friend in the Wizards organization (player personnel not in management) that has told me things about Wall that I believe are true...mostly about poor work ethic and partying. I know some people have questioned my source, but it is a solid one. Ironically, my friend did tell me that John was in very good shape this year, FWIW.

Regarding Tommy saying that Wall wasn't going to traded, I don't have an issue. Maybe things changed between the time he said it and now. Or maybe he just didn't want to say he wanted to trade Wall because he didn't want Houston to believe he was desperate. It could have been a factor on why Houston settled for a heavily protected pick, as opposed to demanding a pick without protections. I really don't care. It is a business and teams send out false information all the time to get an edge.

One interesting thing is that my friend texted Wall after the trade and he said Wall replied with a bunch of expletives, which seems to conflict with the reports that he wanted out. Or maybe he just didn't want to go to Houston. I don't know.

Bottom line for me is that this trade gives me a reason to watch the Wizards again, even if it is just temporary to see how things work out. That is worth something.

Thanks for giving us your thoughts and good information.

[Ruzious]

My simple question, could the wizards not easily turn around and trade Russ for multiple picks later on?? why did Houston do that?

I wouldn't be surprised if that happens in a couple of months. If NY offers a bunch of unprotected 1sts, that'd be hard to turn down

[DCZards]

My simple question, could the wizards not easily turn around and trade Russ for multiple picks later on?? why did Houston do that?

I wouldn't be surprised if that happens in a couple of months. If NY offers a bunch of unprotected 1sts, that'd be hard to turn down

Might as well trade Beal too. Because he's not about to stick around to play with a team of developing players.

I don't think Westbrook gets moved this season...and maybe not next season either. The Zards are first going to want to see how good of a team they have with BB, Russ and the current core of youngins.

[Ruzious]

Screw it.

Been real guys.

I'm out.

No you don't buddy. We suffer together. If you stuck around for 4 years of Trump you can do 3 years of Westbrook.

Amen.

[stormi]

Shame injuries and such ruined a once really promising and super fun Wall + Beal + Porter core.

[Shoe]

My simple question, could the wizards not easily turn around and trade Russ for multiple picks later on?? why did Houston do that?

I wouldn't be surprised if that happens in a couple of months. If NY offers a bunch of unprotected 1sts, that'd be hard to turn down

Well the Rockets got an equally bad contract and a heavily protected future first. If Westbrook plays well enough that teams want to trade assets for him, the Wizards will keep him.

[jangles86]

Pretty down about John Wall being shifted out after a decade of watching him put it all out there for the wizards franchise. This was his team for a long time but this Achilles injury has just brought down the dream of wall bringing this team into some serious success.
I’ll never forget the chemistry he had with Marcin Gortat and the Cross court passes to a corner BB3. Or the insanely fast coast to coast speed with the 360 degree spin finish and 1. He was an absolute star for the wizards and I’m extremely happy to have watched him since day 1 dougie’in his way on to the court and having 9 steals in his third appearance for the wiz.
His guard defence when he was motivated was pure joy. His chase down blocks and strength was special to see. I really do hope for John he can get his body back into shape and get back to being one of the best point guards in the nba.

Very excited to see Westbrook in a wiz uniform. I’ve admired his determination and sheer other worldly athleticism from afar for a long time. He’s shown he is a winner and has shown he can be one of the most dominant point guards the nba has ever seen. At 32 he’s got a few bullets left to fire and the combination of he and Beal could be the best backcourt in the NBA.

Our team is instantly better.

[queridiculo]

**** Ted Leonsis, is my immediate reaction.

This is the 2nd time they've done a franchise player wrong under his ownership.

[God Squad]

I will be laughing next year when Westbrook is in fact not the better player and the Rockets have a better record than the Wizards. Let's not forget Harden just wins 50 games no matter what roster is around him. Thought Westbrook was properly hated at this point in his career but there are still too many people who think he's good. Why do people keep leaving Westbrook? Does the chucking get tiresome?

I’ll take that bet. Washington will be a top 5 seed and go to the conference finals, Westbrook will be all nba again, the rockets will be a total dumpster fire with Wall, Cousins, and Harden. Wall will be a shell of his old self (which still was not very good)

The wiz are actually built to surround a high usage player like Westbrook. Beal is a much better fit next to him than Harden. Bertans and Bryant will be a great fit, Bonga too.

Worry about making the playoffs first. Baby steps. I'm honestly surprised you guys traded him without seeing how he was progressing. From the workout clips I saw he looked good.

[God Squad]

My simple question, could the wizards not easily turn around and trade Russ for multiple picks later on?? why did Houston do that?

Simple answer , no.

Westbrooks value has plummeted. No competent franchise wants him or his contract. IF anything teams THINK he'll help. Then they're reminded of all his faults and his lack of wanting to improve them. He's being flipped more than some journeymen.

[No-Man]

The good part, aside from some guys, Lopez and Rui/Deni, the Wizards have enough shooting to make Westbrook-offense doable, just separate him from Ish at all times, also the team got an automatic transition trigger for offense and guys like Deni thrive there, you can also keep speed at all times alternating Ish and Russ

The bad part..., what does Russ do when Beal is on ball? and Beal likely is better on ball than Russ now, Russ is basically a Center then, so you need him setting screens and cutting

More badness, this is just a headlong rush, we all know Beal is going to ask out eventually, it always happens in a situation like this, so what the hell do you do with Westbrook at that point? likely limiting the development of some guys (again, Deni, Rui)

Not sure who gets the 15th spot, but with the current pieces available...

Westbrook-Smith
Beal-Brown/Mathews
Bonga-Avdija
Bertans-Hachimura/Gill
Bryant-Lopez/Wagner

I'd start Bonga for defense and hitting corner 3s, or attempting them, and running, and Bryant for shooting, Bertans is a must as a starter now

Anthony Gill at Center line-ups should see some court time, he is capable of that, I feel like Rui and Brown PT could be at risk, I think Mathews and Gill are better fits/players, also Mo makes much more sense than RoLo to me

Winston is an elite shooter so it'd not surprise me if he gets some burn over Neto if the team needs a 3rd PG at some point

I do think that as much as I don't like the fit on court, outside of transition play, Russ and Deni are wired the same way, so they could actually work together somewhat, and forcing Deni to work on being a good shooter early on it's a good call too

[dlts20]

Disappointed

Ditto

[Meliorus]

I hated this trade when I heard about it. I still hate that we are giving up a R1 pick. We are a bad team trying to rebuild. Giving up a R1 pick ain't the way to do it.

If we flip Westbrook, we get the R1 pick back, maybe more. If, before the trade deadline, we are nowhere close to a playoff spot, I can see us flipping Westbrook, among others.
A little surprised at your reaction, PIF. Just on the numbers alone, Westbrook > Wall. That alone should make the trade acceptable. Now, Westbrook will be around good shooters. Think about his assist numbers, in addition to the fact that those shooters will take the pressure off of him.
I too dont like to see Wall go. But if we have to trade wall, this is a good return.

There was not even a single team bidding for Westbrook. Even the dumbest teams, New York and Charlotte were not willing to give up 1st rounders. This isn't 2015 anymore. Everybody knows who Westbrook is now. He's 32 and I feel like Washington was the only suitor.

[payitforward]

...December 2, 2020 a little later... "F- - - - milellie111!"

If you are female, clean, and wear your mask then perhaps!

What he’s telling you PIF, I think, is there’s a chance. That’s practically championship for a Wizards fan.

Nah, what he's telling us (not "me") is that he's a pathetic twerp.

I didn't bother to reply, because it wasn't news; I already knew that.

[prime1time]

Well I think it's possible westbrook's numbers dipped more due to harden than they did due to him being in open decline, maybe .

Meaning, as in OKC with Durant or also with Harden, he had difficulty sharing the ball with another scorer and making it work. But as a one man show his numbers are through the roof. Got it. Good thing he won't have teammates in DC either.

This is a false narrative. They went to the finals and were a couple plays away from beating the 73-9 warriors. Yes Durant left, but why scapegoat Russ? On a team that lacked spacing Russ was still able to get it done. You give that Russ KD team adequate spacing and they beat the Warriors.