Your favorite Wizard this year

[montestewart]

I don't have any disagreement with anyone's favorites, and so far the list has included (if I'm not missing someone):
Harrell
Beal
Avdija
Gafford
Neto
Dinwiddie
KCP
Kuzma

Eight people on the roster cited in favorites lists. That's pretty deep, especially considering three potentially significant contributors are hobbled.

And both coach and GM also cited. Has that ever happened in prior years, excepting maybe Millie?

[penbeast0]

Harrell was acquired as part of salary filler in the Westbrook trade, so his exceptional production is like "found money". He is all upside and no downside.

That calculation changes this summer when we have to decide whether to commit a fairly substantial contract to retain him. If Harrell is underwhelming in the playoffs again, how much are you willing to pay for his regular season production going forward - particularly if it means we will be unable to afford Bryant?

Trez on a 1-year $9.7M deal is great. But what about 3 years $50M?

If he underwhelms in the playoffs, it means we made the playoffs. And he would be a major reason for that if things keep going like they have so far. It might mean he's more affordable if he struggles again but I think a good coach (and Little Wes might be that) should be able to create a gameplan to keep him effective even against playoff defenses with this many different options.

...
Eight people on the roster cited in favorites lists. That's pretty deep, especially considering three potentially significant contributors are hobbled.

And both coach and GM also cited. Has that ever happened in prior years, excepting maybe Millie?

Millie was just lip synching Hands' singing (if I am remembering right).

[dobrojim]

Trez for replacing Westbrook's energy but leaving out most of the WTFs.
Almost everyone else gets an honorable mention.

But I love the comments of everyone and as usual, esp Doc.

[Zonkerbl]

I don't want Trez for his playoff offense, I want him for his playoff defense. He's big and mobile. Any offense he brings is a bonus. And I like his personality. He's fun. He injects good vibes into the team.

[NatP4]

Yeah after reading Doc’s comment I would like to change my answer to Tommy Sheppard. He’s the face of this entire rebuild. Made a concerted effort to bring in unselfish, smart, high character players. Traded untradeable contracts for useful players and assets. Totally changed the culture. Hired the right coach (so far). I’ve also really enjoyed his masterful job handling the media.

3 years ago I would say there’s no chance in hell the wizards would trade the face of the franchise. Sheppard has had the balls to make some really big moves as well as some brilliant smaller moves.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Trez for replacing Westbrook's energy but leaving out most of the WTFs.
Almost everyone else gets an honorable mention.

But I love the comments of everyone and as usual, esp Doc.

Honestly the only thing that Trez has done that I'm like "why?" to this season is when he once in awhile tries to do a fancy dribbling on the baseline and takes an awkward jumper. But those have been rare, and I actually think he made one last game. So agreed, he has not added nearly the WTFs. I think a bigger issue is other team members trying to over force feed him at time by throwing junk passes his way; there have been quite a few turnovers this season because of those passes.

[Frichuela]

Yeah after reading Doc’s comment I would like to change my answer to Tommy Sheppard. He’s the face of this entire rebuild. Made a concerted effort to bring in unselfish, smart, high character players. Traded untradeable contracts for useful players and assets. Totally changed the culture. Hired the right coach (so far). I’ve also really enjoyed his masterful job handling the media.

3 years ago I would say there’s no chance in hell the wizards would trade the face of the franchise. Sheppard has had the balls to make some really big moves as well as some brilliant smaller moves.

Hear hear. 100% agreed.

[DCZards]

Beal…been my fav since his rookie season. No reason to change now.

Like others here, I too love the energy and fun (and quality play) we’ve gotten from Trez.

Also want to give a shout out to Neto. Tough little dude who brings his hard hat with him every time he steps on the court.

[doclinkin]

Harrell was acquired as part of salary filler in the Westbrook trade, so his exceptional production is like "found money". He is all upside and no downside.

That calculation changes this summer when we have to decide whether to commit a fairly substantial contract to retain him. If Harrell is underwhelming in the playoffs again, how much are you willing to pay for his regular season production going forward - particularly if it means we will be unable to afford Bryant?

Trez on a 1-year $9.7M deal is great. But what about 3 years $50M?

Doubtless the team will have some significant decisions to make this summer and looking forward to the next few years. That said, I wondered in the Deni thread whether players like Trez will suddenly become more playable both under Wes and given the new rule set.

It seems like perimeter players are no longer tearing up the league with high eFG%. Defenders can play them closer, and slow them down more easily, more possessions per game can be played in drop coverage. It looks like we are playing something closer to playoff basketball, in the regular season. Interior scoring in traffic is at a premium.

Ultimately this team is kinda screwed in the offseason given that we have expiring contracts in Trez, Bryant, Holiday, and Neto --each of whom is earning significant minutes. To say nothing of the Tyrannosaur in the room of Beal's impending free agency. In an opium dream we play well, Beal's overall numbers take a hit while his selfless play contributes to wins, he is not pulling the offers from other teams that he had been receiving, he loves playing with this crew and the "Family family family" mantra they have all been reciting means that all dollars being equal (or even close) the players all choose to re-ink at a fair price. That is: a slight overpay instead of a Monumental one. Maybe Beal deliberately takes less money (if a longer contract) to keep everyone together.

Anyway Ted has paid the Lux tax for a losing team out of 'loyalty'. If we win in the playoffs, even simply getting into the 2nd round, I'd bet he would pay to keep some core members together. I am intrigued and curious how the rotation alters with Bryant returning and working into game shape. I'd bet his salary offers also will be reduced as he works his way back into the rotation, splitting minutes with 2 guys who have had a jump start on chemistry with each other.

But none of that matters to me today. We have a squad who fights hard and holds each other accountable and on a team with many quiet types who prefer to keep their heads down and lead by example, Trez is the guy who will roar and fire up the team, fire up the crowd. If we are talking today's favorites, yeah, he's been fun to watch. He is one of the players whose effect is to make the hometown fans louder than the interlopers who bought tickets and cheer for the other jerseys. To me that is worth a lot. I bet that's true for Ted too.

[nate33]

Harrell was acquired as part of salary filler in the Westbrook trade, so his exceptional production is like "found money". He is all upside and no downside.

That calculation changes this summer when we have to decide whether to commit a fairly substantial contract to retain him. If Harrell is underwhelming in the playoffs again, how much are you willing to pay for his regular season production going forward - particularly if it means we will be unable to afford Bryant?

Trez on a 1-year $9.7M deal is great. But what about 3 years $50M?

Doubtless the team will have some significant decisions to make this summer and looking forward to the next few years. That said, I wondered in the Deni thread whether players like Trez will suddenly become more playable both under Wes and given the new rule set.

It seems like perimeter players are no longer tearing up the league with high eFG%. Defenders can play them closer, and slow them down more easily, more possessions per game can be played in drop coverage. It looks like we are playing something closer to playoff basketball, in the regular season. Interior scoring in traffic is at a premium.

Ultimately this team is kinda screwed in the offseason given that we have expiring contracts in Trez, Bryant, Holiday, and Neto --each of whom is earning significant minutes. To say nothing of the Tyrannosaur in the room of Beal's impending free agency. In an opium dream we play well, Beal's overall numbers take a hit while his selfless play contributes to wins, he is not pulling the offers from other teams that he had been receiving, he loves playing with this crew and the "Family family family" mantra they have all been reciting means that all dollars being equal or even close the players choose to re-ink at a fair price. That is: a slight overpay instead of a Monumental one.

Ted has paid the Lux tax for a losing team out of 'loyalty'. If we win in the playoffs, even simply getting into the 2nd round, I'd bet he would pay to keep some core members together. I am intrigued and curious how the rotation alters with Bryant returning and working into game shape. I'd bet his salary offers also will be reduced as he works his way back into the rotation, splitting minutes with 2 guys who have had a jump start on chemistry with each other.

But none of that matters to me today. We have a squad who fights hard and holds each other accountable and on a team with many quiet types who prefer to keep their heads down and lead by example, Trez is the guy who will roar and fire up the team, fire up the crowd. If we are talking today's favorites, yeah, he's been fun to watch. He is one of the players whose effect is to make the hometown fans louder than the interlopers who bought tickets and cheer for the other jerseys. To me that is worth a lot. I bet that's true for Ted too.

FWIW, I like Harrell too and I definitely think he has emerged as a team leader and a key player on this roster. As I said, he is MVP of the team so far. I'm just explaining why I think it's likely that he is more of a rental rather than a core piece or our future.

[tontoz]

FWIW, I like Harrell too and I definitely think he has emerged as a team leader and a key player on this roster. As I said, he is MVP of the team so far. I'm just explaining why I think it's likely that he is more of a rental rather than a core piece or our future.

Bryant will be a UFA next summer too. We will need a backup C next year. Between these two who would you rather have?

I'll take Trez

[gambitx777]

I mean is Thomas Bryant really gonna command more that mid level money ? And if Trez gonna get more than 10 mill a year?


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[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Trez. He's been consistent on offense, brings the intensity every night, is making his free throws, and has been passable on defense (though there have been some rough spots). Hard to find too many minuses thus far, and I was perfectly okay with the Wizards jettisoning once we acquired. A Thanksgiving of crow has been served since.

[nate33]

FWIW, I like Harrell too and I definitely think he has emerged as a team leader and a key player on this roster. As I said, he is MVP of the team so far. I'm just explaining why I think it's likely that he is more of a rental rather than a core piece or our future.

Bryant will be a UFA next summer too. We will need a backup C next year. Between these two who would you rather have?

I'll take Trez

It depends on cost.

I'll take Bryant at $7-8M a year over Trez at $15-17M a year. I don't think we can afford to pay a backup center 8 figures when we also plan to pay Gafford $13M a year.

Anyhow, to really answer this question, we will need to see how Bryant plays. I think our best bet would be to trade one of them at the Trade Deadline rather than lose him for nothing in the offseason.

[9 and 20]

Neto and Harrell. Shades of grit and grind out of those two.

[doclinkin]

It depends on cost.

I'll take Bryant at $7-8M a year over Trez at $15-17M a year. I don't think we can afford to pay a backup center 8 figures when we also plan to pay Gafford $13M a year.

Anyhow, to really answer this question, we will need to see how Bryant plays. I think our best bet would be to trade one of them at the Trade Deadline rather than lose him for nothing in the offseason.

Naturally everything depends on cost, always. However. Watch how this year plays out in terms of the utility of Bigs. We are starting to see more size creeping back in. Check Cleveland who fought us close with two young giants in the front court. Embiid in Philly. Giannis with Brook. LA is going huge again. We will see if the market has yet caught up with new realities, but I feel like if we are able to stockpile a surplus playable Big, we will benefit hugely when the rest of the league catches on.

[queridiculo]

I'm ride or die with Brad Beal.

Truth be told though, I like every player on this roster and I can't think of the last time that was the case.

[nate33]

It depends on cost.

I'll take Bryant at $7-8M a year over Trez at $15-17M a year. I don't think we can afford to pay a backup center 8 figures when we also plan to pay Gafford $13M a year.

Anyhow, to really answer this question, we will need to see how Bryant plays. I think our best bet would be to trade one of them at the Trade Deadline rather than lose him for nothing in the offseason.

Naturally everything depends on cost, always. However. Watch how this year plays out in terms of the utility of Bigs. We are starting to see more size creeping back in. Check Cleveland who fought us close with two young giants in the front court. Embiid in Philly. Giannis with Brook. LA is going huge again. We will see if the market has yet caught up with new realities, but I feel like if we are able to stockpile a surplus playable Big, we will benefit hugely when the rest of the league catches on.

Fair point.

One thing is certain, Harrell does not seem to be impacted by the rule changes.