Official Trade Thread -- Part XXXIX

[payitforward]

Robert Covington. Bonga is a reliable jumper away from getting there. Defensively he's far and away the best wing option we have. Might be the same case at the 4 too. He just needs to start hitting the open shots he's inevitably going to get.

Maybe better to say start taking those open shots -- after all Bonga posted a TS% last year of 60.6%

[Dat2U]

I believe our trade assets are being undervalued. The goal of next year should be to show off the actual potential and value of our young players, and then trade them in a package for one of the five or so players who can actually win a championship (when paired with Beal/Westbrook). If that isn’t the goal for next season, then we are in for another three years of pain and nonsense.

Kawhi was traded for two ninth picks with potential and a future first. Funny, we have exactly that.

So... you think that if we take Rui & Avdija off the team & substitute Kawhi Leonard for them, we have a solid chance of winning a championship some time in the next 3 years -- is that it?

Who are the other handful of players that "can actually win a championship (when paired with Beal/Westbrook)" that we can acquire for Rui, Deni & a future R1 pick?

We need one of Kawhi, LBJ, Giannis, Pascal, Jayson, Bam, Embiid, KD, AD or Jokic in addition to Russ, Beal, etc to actually become a legit contender. That's it, the entire list! Basically it comes down to needing a top 10 front court player!

Outside of that, guys like Nikola Vucevic or Rudy Gobert would probably give the Wizards the best team they've had since they've last won the title and have them in a 2nd round dogfight in the playoffs.

Khris Middleton makes too much $$$ but if Giannis was dealt he's the type that would fit nicely - but once again the ceiling is probably conference semifinals with outside shot of conference finals.

Fact is we need to draft an elite two way forward/center or hope Avdija or Hachimura becomes that guy sooner than later.

[Dat2U]

Robert Covington. Bonga is a reliable jumper away from getting there. Defensively he's far and away the best wing option we have. Might be the same case at the 4 too. He just needs to start hitting the open shots he's inevitably going to get.

Maybe better to say start taking those open shots -- after all Bonga posted a TS% last year of 60.6%

Yes. Theres value in being a threat to shoot. Even if the TS% comes down slightly.

[gambitx777]

Bonga is looks good imo! Dude should start and damn every team needs a defence 3 and D guy and if he can hit open jumpers at a good clip boom that's him. On the cheap. Maybe he can be that at the 3 or 4 and if devi looks anything like a high level starter we are looking real good!

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[Silvie Lysandra]

Fact is we need to draft an elite two way forward/center or hope Avdija or Hachimura becomes that guy sooner than later.

Kawhi might be available if the Clips flame out tbh. That team looks like a disaster waiting to happen, and their ceiling is Conference Finals as long as LeBron is there, and it only gets worse as time goes on.

Embiid OR Simmons might be available, though I'm not sure how long he'll stay elite with the injuries and body type. Simmons kind of necessitates trading Westbrook for a shooter.

If we somehow get Masai, then Giannis is on the table, MAYBE.

[Dark Faze]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

[nate33]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

Agreed. I think the only two players in the league that could turn the current Wizards into contenders are Anthony Davis and Giannis because both are top 5 players with DPOY talent.

[Silvie Lysandra]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

Agreed. I think the only two players in the league that could turn the current Wizards into contenders are Anthony Davis and Giannis because both are top 5 players with DPOY talent.

you...don't think we'd be contenders with LeBron? I mean I agree on those too but LeBron James is still a top 5 player too

[nate33]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

Agreed. I think the only two players in the league that could turn the current Wizards into contenders are Anthony Davis and Giannis because both are top 5 players with DPOY talent.

you...don't think we'd be contenders with LeBron? I mean I agree on those too but LeBron James is still a top 5 player too

Okay. Lebron too.

[Rafael122]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

Rumor is his tendon/patella area is getting to the point where it's degenerative. Like...whatever is happening to the area is at the point where surgery can't fix it and it's only going to get worse. Hence the load management, hence wanting to play with another star or two. Teams keep paying him the max b/c it's f'n Kawhi and if he can play 60 games and be good for the playoffs, it's worth it.

[Ruzious]

I'm a little concerned about Kawhi physically. Just seems like something is off.

Rumor is his tendon/patella area is getting to the point where it's degenerative. Like...whatever is happening to the area is at the point where surgery can't fix it and it's only going to get worse. Hence the load management, hence wanting to play with another star or two. Teams keep paying him the max b/c it's f'n Kawhi and if he can play 60 games and be good for the playoffs, it's worth it.

That must have figured into why they gave Marcus Morris a big 4 year contract - so that he can eat some of the regular season minutes that Leonard and George would otherwise play. I really liked their acquisitions of Ibaka and kennard - but wonder if Lou Williams and Patrick Beverly are getting old. They could use a young PG to work into the rotation.

[nate33]

They could use a young PG to work into the rotation.

or maybe a veteran high-usage PG with a terrible contract...

[doclinkin]

They could use a young PG to work into the rotation.

or maybe a veteran high-usage PG with a terrible contract...

Or if Troy/Neto play well enough then maybe they'd make an offer for Ish.

[gottamakeit]

The Ringer just posted an article mentioning the need for 3&D players, its a good read.
https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/15/22175373/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-russell-westbrook

[nate33]

The Ringer just posted an article mentioning the need for 3&D players, its a good read.
https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/15/22175373/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-russell-westbrook

Somebody already posted in in the Wizards in the Media thread.

I think it's a pretty lazy article. Primarily, they totally overlook our tandem of stretch 5's who are among the better 3-point shooting bigs in the league.

This team may not be the perfect facsimile of the Rockets, with 4 guys standing still for 24-seconds hoping for a catch-and-shoot, but they're still a very good perimeter shooting team with more competent stretch bigs than most teams plus two of the best shooters in the league in Bertans and Beal. Yeah, Hachimura, Bonga and Brown are only so-so as 3-point shooters, but it's not like they're Andre Roberson or anything. They're all good FT shooters and each have improved their 3-point shooting every year. I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 of them average 34% or better.

[gottamakeit]

The Ringer just posted an article mentioning the need for 3&D players, its a good read.
https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/15/22175373/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-russell-westbrook

Somebody already posted in in the Wizards in the Media thread.

I think it's a pretty lazy article. Primarily, they totally overlook our tandem of stretch 5's who are among the better 3-point shooting bigs in the league.

This team may not be the perfect facsimile of the Rockets, with 4 guys standing still for 24-seconds hoping for a catch-and-shoot, but they're still a very good perimeter shooting team with more competent stretch bigs than most teams plus two of the best shooters in the league in Bertans and Beal. Yeah, Hachimura, Bonga and Brown are only so-so as 3-point shooters, but it's not like they're Andre Roberson or anything. They're all good FT shooters and each have improved their 3-point shooting every year. I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 of them average 34% or better.

Gotcha, i'm not too familiar with the Wizards, i'm mostly a Mavs fan and also looking to follow the wizards this year. I liked the moves they made this offseason but my first impression was the lack of synergy within the starting 5 and rotations.

As far as 3pt'ers made last season, the Wizards were in the middle of the pack (https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-pointers-made-per-game). Do you think that's improving this year?
Interestingly enough, they came in 8th in terms of percentage. https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-point-pct

[nate33]

The Ringer just posted an article mentioning the need for 3&D players, its a good read.
https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/15/22175373/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-russell-westbrook

Somebody already posted in in the Wizards in the Media thread.

I think it's a pretty lazy article. Primarily, they totally overlook our tandem of stretch 5's who are among the better 3-point shooting bigs in the league.

This team may not be the perfect facsimile of the Rockets, with 4 guys standing still for 24-seconds hoping for a catch-and-shoot, but they're still a very good perimeter shooting team with more competent stretch bigs than most teams plus two of the best shooters in the league in Bertans and Beal. Yeah, Hachimura, Bonga and Brown are only so-so as 3-point shooters, but it's not like they're Andre Roberson or anything. They're all good FT shooters and each have improved their 3-point shooting every year. I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 of them average 34% or better.

Gotcha, i'm not too familiar with the Wizards, i'm mostly a Mavs fan and also looking to follow the wizards this year. I liked the moves they made this offseason but my first impression was the lack of synergy within the starting 5 and rotations.

As far as 3pt'ers made last season, the Wizards were in the middle of the pack (https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-pointers-made-per-game). Do you think that's improving this year?
Interestingly enough, they came in 8th in terms of percentage. https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-point-pct

Yes. That will improve this year because there's a big difference between having a guy like Westbrook bending a defense, and having a guy like Isaiah Thomas failing to bend a defense. Russell will force defenses to rotate, which should generate more catch-and-shoot opportunities from 3-point range.

[NatP4]

Gordon and Covington shot 31% from 3 for Houston. What a stupid article. House and Tucker topped out as mediocre 35-36% 3 point shooters.

When we throw out a lineup of Westbrook-Beal-Avdija-Bertans-Bryant, I hope Jonathan Tjarks is watching.

[Kanyewest]

Speaking of Tjarks, he has been pretty low on the last couple of Wizards drafts which could effect his outlook on the team. If we were to re-grade the 2018 and 2019 draft though, the Wizards would earn higher grades.

9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
Hachimura could walk into a big role early with the Wizards. He has the ability to be a primary option on offense: He’s a 6-foot-8 combo forward who can shoot off the dribble. The question is whether he will be able to do it efficiently in the NBA. He was a below-average 3-point shooter who depended on his ability to dominate because of his size and athleticism in the NCAA. Hachimura is a bit of a project for a lottery pick; he will have to improve as a passer and defensive player to be successful in the NBA.

Grade: D

https://www.theringer.com/nba-draft/2019/6/20/18693649/2019-nba-draft-grades-zion-williamson

15. Washington Wizards: Troy Brown Jr., G/F, Oregon
Brown slipped under the radar while playing for a disappointing Oregon team, but it’s not surprising that a player with his combination of size (6-foot-7 and 208 pounds, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan), ball handling, and passing ability wound up right outside the lottery. There is a lot of Evan Turner in his game, both good and bad. This will be a great pick if he can figure out his wonky 3-point shot (29.1 percent from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game). If he can’t, though, he doesn’t have the athleticism to be an impact player without it.

Grade: C

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/21/17490094/grading-the-2018-nba-draft

9. Washington Wizards: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Avdija should be able to help right away for a team desperate to make the playoffs. He’s a combo forward with the ability to match up with multiple positions on defense and serve as a secondary playmaker on offense. The question is whether he can refine his jumper enough to thrive in an off-ball role next to Bradley Beal. Spacing up front could be tight between Avdija and Rui Hachimura, another combo forward who lives in the midrange. Avdija probably won’t become a star, but he’s smart and tough enough to carve out a long NBA career.

Grade: B

https://www.theringer.com/2020/11/18/21573328/2020-nba-draft-tracker-grades-live-analysis-picks

[NatP4]

I think they have a base of a solid 40ish win 6-8 seed team with just the star backcourt, Bryant, Bertans, and some solid role players like Bonga, Neto, maybe Gill, Lopez, Smith. The X factor(s) will be Brown, Hachimura, and Avdija, I think we can all agree on that.

If nothing changes with them, no improvement from last season, it’s a low seed average 35-40 win team. If they have the normal improvement another season brings for young players, maybe 42-45ish wins 4-6 seed.

I am betting on Avdija being a home run pick, NBA ready because of his professional experience. Brown Jr having a big 3rd year leap as a quality utility 6th man, huge strides for him defensively. Lastly, I’m betting on Rui to add the 3pt shot to his game, making him an efficient scorer, and same thing, big leap for him defensively as the game slows down. I also love the culture/chemistry in DC, and how the pieces all fit together.

That’s 50ish wins and a top 3 seed to me.