Wizards trade Brown and Wagner for Gafford and Hutchinson

[Dat2U]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

[NatP4]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

It seems to be the Tommy Sheppard way, making trades that can somewhat help you both in the current season and in the future.

It’s a step up from Ernie Grunfeld IMO, but not by much. They REFUSE to sell.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Gafford advanced defensive metrics (and blocks) are good. +1 DBPM and very good DRtg (109, 107) for 2 years in a row. First time we get an athletic big in years. He's very raw offensively. I worry about his ability to catch Westbrook's missiles

The Wizards added Ben Wallace and Michael Cooper lites/wannabes.

This move is way better than most think IMO.

I do not share the same enthusiasm at all. Gafford is the rim runner we needed to run the floor & guard quicker bigs but he's also completely unskilled offensively meaning unlike Wagner or even Len/Lopez, he's no threat to shoot and not worth guarding beyond 5 ft from the rim. Guess who this impacts? Russ & Beal because spacing will be trash.

This is guy who fell out of Chicago's rotation and tanked his opportunity by being invisible when Chicago had to actually start him.

He should help the P&R defense though.

As for Hutchison... I don't know how we can assume any contribution from him when he wasn't even suiting up for Chicago in recent weeks and it's sounds like he was dealing with personal issues.

First of all in all humility I defer to your vast knowledge. If you don’t like him at this point in my journey I’m thinking to myself maybe I don’t know what the F I’m talking about.


Dat I have a couple different thoughts. One has to do with the difference between a generalist and a specialist. The other hast to do with fitting the pieces of a puzzle together. On a particular team the current model for success is to have two or three superstars with complementary players around. Another female that is prevalent in today’s NBA thanks to the splash brothers is to have five out with everyone capable of shooting threes. In both case players are skilled and well rounded.

All I care about is the team as a whole. I believe it is more than OK to have a one trick pony and not a bunch of five tool athletes.

Gafford in my system even if he could only make 10% of threes would take an open three every time. If he has trouble catching the ball we would work on entry passes to him. I would play him as a Princeton Center If he had no skills. I saw Gafford when he was in college I believe at Arkansas. Liked him a ton.

Hutchinson came from the same conference I believe Hawaii plays in. I don’t know much about him but I did see him in the game the wizards played the Bulls and I’ve seen his stats sheet in one particular game. Could be wrong about him like I was about Morris Almond; but TBH with you I was right about Morris in my mind. Better player than Garrison Matthews by far. Demonstrated that he could play outstanding defense in those Six games that he was on those 2- 10 day contracts. The Wizards won all six of those games. Almond had tremendous defensive statistics those six games in which he played. However his offense was tentative and he was off and that was the end of his career in the NBA.

Off of that tangent and back to the point...

In transition offense the Wizards just acquired a couple of LIVE BODIES. Ath-Uh-Leets. Elite athletes who can run strive for stride with Westbrook. Maybe I have not watch Gafford run but I know that Hutchinson is fast.

As far as perimeter shooting goes that can be developed pretty easily. One season John Wall only attempted 41 three point shots and he only made three. Three for the entire season.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I will never get paid but I can help anybody with point shooting.

There is a machine that helps you develop your three-point shot. It catches the ball and pass it right back to you and you can shoot without having to have someone retrieve your ball.

There is the psychology of the shooter. I can look at a guy and tell a guy what he’s doing wrong. Whether it’s foot stance, balance fro the base of the legs, elbow tuck, hands, release point, elbow WHATEVER. I also have other things that I won’t even share but they have to do with the psychology of making a shot. And no I am not an expert and that I can’t make 100 in a row like Drew Hanlen I suspect does.

I am always enthusiastic but the problem is the coaching and the myopic way that dumb guys will get paid a lot of money do in the NBA. When I say dumb I mean unimaginative people follow a very rigid style.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Those two guys are athletic and ready to pop in terms of productivity.

[NatP4]

Was Steven Adams all that gifted offensively? Or just a really good finisher around the rim in pick and roll?

It seems like Gafford fits the description of the player we need moving forward, and the real problem is that Westbrook is basically like playing a center at point guard. Westbrook really is not part of the equation in the future. Gafford is a nice piece moving forward IMO. His offensive game will improve I’m sure, just like a Richaun Holmes.

If we add a guy like Jalen Suggs, the spacing will be just fine. Westbrook is uniquely horrible outside of 5 feet.

[nate33]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

I guess, in a way, this is good news. Rather than a slightly better player for the remainder of this season, the Wizards opted for a young prospect with potential who is cost controlled for the next two years. They sacrificed current wins for future wins.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Was Steven Adams all that gifted offensively? Or just a really good finisher around the rim in pick and roll?

It seems like Gafford fits the description of the player we need moving forward, and the real problem is that Westbrook is basically like playing a center at point guard. Westbrook really is not part of the equation in the future. Gafford is a nice piece moving forward IMO. His offensive game will improve I’m sure, just like a Richaun Holmes.

If we add a guy like Jalen Suggs, the spacing will be just fine. Westbrook is uniquely horrible outside of 5 feet.

Great points!

I don’t know that Westbrook is not a part of the future. Now he has guys that can keep up with him at the center position and this is with Thomas Bryant coming back next season. To me it’s really exciting because I can just imagine the dunks this cat Gifford is going to throw down.

Gafford IMO is even better than Bryant, who himself was discarded by the Lakers (as were Zoubek and Wagner).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

I guess, in a way, this is good news. Rather than a slightly better player for the remainder of this season, the Wizards opted for a young prospect with potential who is cost controlled for the next two years. They sacrificed current wins for future wins.

I can hardly understand Dat not conceiving thought that maybe the younger guys can or will improve over time. Perhaps they each have untapped potential that Daniel T has already had the opportunity to show but they have not.

The numbers game. Zach Lavine and Wendell Carter Jr (who they also traded!?) were there first. Lauri Markaennen (sp?) has a spot. Minutes dictate player moves.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

To me the Wizards did something I’m just not used to. This was perfect to me. They weren’t going to use Moritz Wagner or Troy Brown Junior. If Neither of the players they acquired pan out, so what? The only way that happens is if this coach doesn’t play them and just stick to his Plano Road way of doing things.

(plain, old, rote)

[Kanyewest]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

Theis became available after the Celtics made the Fournier trade and the Celtics had to cut salary. Either the Wizards bad timely the Brown/Wagner deal or the Wizards were making moves to save up some money this season and cost control their costs going forward.

[Ruzious]

I think the best comp for Gafford is Nerlens Noel. He's certainly in that mold as a player. And that's perfectly fine - as long as the expectations for him is to be our backup center. And his contract is perfect for that role. I think that makes sense for what it was intended to be - which is a relatively small move. And Hitch is a toss at the dart board that we hope to get lucky on but can't expect to. He's got more important issues than basketball at the moment, and it's most important that he get through those than what he does for the Wiz. It's a positive that they didn't go after Theis.

[logical_art]

Pretty good summary. I'll add that Gafford is a terrible rebounder. He's a good rim runner/finisher and protector though, which seems to be a good fit for the Wiz.

I liked TBJ a lot coming out. The Bulls need ball handlers so he might benefit from the change of scenery.

YOU'll be pleased and surprised by TBJ like you were with Satoransky. He's a high BBIQ player who has a quiet presence but will find ways to do the little things. HE makes smart heads-up passes and rebounds bigger than his position due to good anticipation. On defense he is not long nor overly strong, not quick footed, but in a team scheme he makes you better since he knows where to be. He's young but has upside. He would do best in an offense that needs smart passing and makes cuts and reads. He is a competent ball-handler but not a dribble drive threat. He can hit an open 3 but it's not a strength, and he won't overpower opponents. He plays well with spacing and timing and smarts more than athleticism length and speed. A smart coach will use him as a secondary coach on the floor. He has potential as a leader and will pick up concepts quickly, as such he is more of a tall Point and floor leader than a scoring guard or small forward. Billy Donovan will appreciate what he does well.

Regarding not long, one of the intriguing things about him coming out was that despite being a modest athlete and only 6'7" w shoes, he had an impressive standing reach of 8'9". That gives him plenty of length for SF. Does he not play to these measurements, for whatever reason?

[DCZards]

Not sure why the Wizards didn't trade for Theis instead of Gafford/Hutchison if they were serious about making the playoffs?

I guess, in a way, this is good news. Rather than a slightly better player for the remainder of this season, the Wizards opted for a young prospect with potential who is cost controlled for the next two years. They sacrificed current wins for future wins.

Yes, it makes much more sense to trade for the 22 year old Gafford to find out if the can develop into the rim protector that the Zards need to complement Bryant than it does to go after the 28 year old Theis.

[NatP4]

Pretty good summary. I'll add that Gafford is a terrible rebounder. He's a good rim runner/finisher and protector though, which seems to be a good fit for the Wiz.

I liked TBJ a lot coming out. The Bulls need ball handlers so he might benefit from the change of scenery.

YOU'll be pleased and surprised by TBJ like you were with Satoransky. He's a high BBIQ player who has a quiet presence but will find ways to do the little things. HE makes smart heads-up passes and rebounds bigger than his position due to good anticipation. On defense he is not long nor overly strong, not quick footed, but in a team scheme he makes you better since he knows where to be. He's young but has upside. He would do best in an offense that needs smart passing and makes cuts and reads. He is a competent ball-handler but not a dribble drive threat. He can hit an open 3 but it's not a strength, and he won't overpower opponents. He plays well with spacing and timing and smarts more than athleticism length and speed. A smart coach will use him as a secondary coach on the floor. He has potential as a leader and will pick up concepts quickly, as such he is more of a tall Point and floor leader than a scoring guard or small forward. Billy Donovan will appreciate what he does well.

Regarding not long, one of the intriguing things about him coming out was that despite being a modest athlete and only 6'7" w shoes, he had an impressive standing reach of 8'9". That gives him plenty of length for SF. Does he not play to these measurements, for whatever reason?

He doesn’t play.

He uses his length well. Great rebounder, gets a lot of steals.

His shortcomings are an inconsistent jumpshot and inconsistent impact on the defensive end due to lack of lateral quickness. He’s not all that different from an Evan Turner type.

There is still potential there forsure.

[Shoe]

TBJ
5 mil
RFA

Gafford
1.7 mil
1.9 mil

Better fit for the Westbrook era. At worst he'll be a solid 3rd string with a 3rd string contract.

[Dolevi]

I believe that at both Wagner and Troy the use haven't been right in this team just like Deni, They are victims of this poor system and actually i'm happy for them moving on. At least you brought a 5 to the squad, a position which is more needing of help, and moreover now you will have less minutes to divide at positions 3-4. Still it is sad because there was a talent there that couldn't find any use in this team. So in the end i don't know if i need to be happy from this trade, or sad. I would say happy because at least the GM did something in order to try and help this team (instead of being passive and pretending everything is good).

[NatP4]

It’s strange that some of the Chicago fans have drawn conclusions about Gafford already. He has only played 20+ minutes in 12 total NBA games. He’s never even played 30+ minutes in a game. For reference, Garrison Mathews has played 20+ minutes in 19 games and up until recently, was still counted as a bit of an unknown on this board.

Has not even played 1000 minutes. His year 2 numbers are actually very similar to Robert Williams, another exciting young C prospect.

[nate33]

I believe that at both Wagner and Troy the use haven't been right in this team just like Deni, They are victims of this poor system and actually i'm happy for them moving on. At least you brought a 5 to the squad, a position which is more needing of help, and moreover now you will have less minutes to divide at positions 3-4. Still it is sad because there was a talent there that couldn't find any use in this team. So in the end i don't know if i need to be happy from this trade, or sad. I would say happy because at least the GM did something in order to try and help this team (instead of being passive and pretending everything is good).

I actually think Wagner was used appropriately for the most part. Sometimes his minutes got jerked around, but I believe the system we run has been fine for his skill set. He's a pick-and-roll guy who has a little bit of pick-and-pop ability, and that's what he was used for. It's not like we forced him to be a low post center.

The one thing I would have liked to see is Wagner in a high post facilitator role like Bam Adebayo or Marc Gasol. Get him the ball at the key and have guys cut backdoor. I think Wagner has the passing ability to handle the role.

Troy was definitely misused.

[payitforward]

I think the best comp for Gafford is Nerlens Noel. He's certainly in that mold as a player. And that's perfectly fine - as long as the expectations for him is to be our backup center. And his contract is perfect for that role. I think that makes sense for what it was intended to be - which is a relatively small move. And Hitch is a toss at the dart board that we hope to get lucky on but can't expect to. He's got more important issues than basketball at the moment, and it's most important that he get through those than what he does for the Wiz. It's a positive that they didn't go after Theis.

Yes on all these points!