Offseason Plan

[9 and 20]

Some of Andray's greatest hits are listed here - https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/remembering-andray-blatche/2012/07/17/gJQAT5JmrW_blog.html

Who can forget 7-Day Dray? Lapdance Tuesdays? The man gets a bad rap. He was a leader of men.

[FAH1223]

Any offseason plan needs to begin with one obvious fact.

This. Team. Needs. To. Rebuild. Period.

We don't need "a guy at this spot, & a guy at that one."

We don't have a single spot -- not one function or position -- that is handled by someone we are certain could play productively on a title-contending team of the future. Not one.

To get the obvious out of the way: Brad went way downhill this year. We don't know that he'll return to his career-best level of play. We don't know that he won't continue to slide. Which is more likely? We don't even know that....

Deni is certainly promising & a terrific defender, but we can't be sure how far he'll go towards fulfilling that promise.

Kispert has exceeded expectations as a rookie (mine at least) but we don't know yet how much room he still has develop.

Rui... it's great that he's back, & that he's shooting the 3 well. But, overall, he's undeniably a 24-year old who hasn't yet looked at all like a difference-maker. Still, he's improved an important skill. That gives one the idea that there may be some meaningful growth left in his game. Maybe.

Bryant had a couple of outstanding seasons 2 & 3 years ago, but that's in the past, & he hasn't yet shown he'll be fully back from his acl injury.

Gafford seems unable to give more than 20 minutes a game. Kuzma is a streaky role-player. Porzingis? Give me a break. KCP is heading downhill in a hurry. Ish is Ish.

That leaves Carey & Todd -- a couple of very young long-shots obviously -- along with Neto & Gill (back-bench at best), & our 2-way guys, Winston & Ayayi.

We're closer to the bottom than we are to the top. In fact, we're closer to the bottom than we are to the middle of the pack.

But you know Ted isn’t thinking like this!

In his eyes, Beal = Kobe and Porzingis = Gasol!

[NatP4]

Agree with PIF’s evaluation of the roster. Making multiple picks(ours and Dallas 2nd) and trading Kuzma for another pick should be the basis of our off-season plan. Looking to buy another 2nd and find undrafted prospects should also be priority. Load up on young players and leave open room for Kispert, Avdija, and Rui to get as much PT and usage as possible going into next year.

[payitforward]

yeah I remember. I feel like I was at that game. They messed up his jersey, it had "BALTCHE" on the back. PIF once again exposing himself....

You're right, I forgot about that. You got me.

That's really big for you, huh...?

I'm just giving you a hard time old man....

No problem young whippersnapper!

[Ruzious]

You're right, I forgot about that. You got me.

That's really big for you, huh...?

I'm just giving you a hard time old man....

No problem young whippersnapper!

Which brings to mind Walter Brennan - who most of the young'ns never heard of.

Watch on YouTube

[Ruzious]

I wonder if it makes sense to make a big push for Zion Williamson. Reports say he wants to be traded. This is his 3rd year in the NBA, so this offseason, he's eligible to sign an extension. Does NO really want to do that - considering his injury problems, weight issues, and unhappiness there? They just acquired McCollum. He and Ingram are gonna dominate the Pelican's offense along with gunner Graham and dominant inside scorer Jonas V. For the Wiz, a healthy and in-shape Zion could be a #1 scoring option. But he's obviously a risk, and we already have a risk in Zinger.

[nate33]

I wonder if it makes sense to make a big push for Zion Williamson. Reports say he wants to be traded. This is his 3rd year in the NBA, so this offseason, he's eligible to sign an extension. Does NO really want to do that - considering his injury problems, weight issues, and unhappiness there? They just acquired McCollum. He and Ingram are gonna dominate the Pelican's offense along with gunner Graham and dominant inside scorer Jonas V. For the Wiz, a healthy and in-shape Zion could be a #1 scoring option. But he's obviously a risk, and we already have a risk in Zinger.

They sacrificed a lotto pick to get McCollum. I can't see them dumping Zion before at least seeing how that group can play together. But, sure, if Zion forces his way out, we should at least pick up the phone. A core of Beal, Zion and Porzingis would appear to have pretty good synergy, particularly if we could retain a good defensive wing. The real question is, could we put together a competitive package for Zion that would be better than what teams like OKC and Houston could put together?

[Ruzious]

I wonder if it makes sense to make a big push for Zion Williamson. Reports say he wants to be traded. This is his 3rd year in the NBA, so this offseason, he's eligible to sign an extension. Does NO really want to do that - considering his injury problems, weight issues, and unhappiness there? They just acquired McCollum. He and Ingram are gonna dominate the Pelican's offense along with gunner Graham and dominant inside scorer Jonas V. For the Wiz, a healthy and in-shape Zion could be a #1 scoring option. But he's obviously a risk, and we already have a risk in Zinger.

They sacrificed a lotto pick to get McCollum. I can't see them dumping Zion before at least seeing how that group can play together. But, sure, if Zion forces his way out, we should at least pick up the phone. A core of Beal, Zion and Porzingis would appear to have pretty good synergy, particularly if we could retain a good defensive wing. The real question is, could we put together a competitive package for Zion that would be better than what teams like OKC and Houston could put together?

I'm sure teams could out-bid us for him; I'm just not sure they will - because of the risks involved.

Even though I like Ingram and McCollum and Big Val, I don't think NO's going to be a successful team with Zion. Everyone there is looking for their own shot.

[nate33]

I wonder if it makes sense to make a big push for Zion Williamson. Reports say he wants to be traded. This is his 3rd year in the NBA, so this offseason, he's eligible to sign an extension. Does NO really want to do that - considering his injury problems, weight issues, and unhappiness there? They just acquired McCollum. He and Ingram are gonna dominate the Pelican's offense along with gunner Graham and dominant inside scorer Jonas V. For the Wiz, a healthy and in-shape Zion could be a #1 scoring option. But he's obviously a risk, and we already have a risk in Zinger.

They sacrificed a lotto pick to get McCollum. I can't see them dumping Zion before at least seeing how that group can play together. But, sure, if Zion forces his way out, we should at least pick up the phone. A core of Beal, Zion and Porzingis would appear to have pretty good synergy, particularly if we could retain a good defensive wing. The real question is, could we put together a competitive package for Zion that would be better than what teams like OKC and Houston could put together?

I'm sure teams could out-bid us for him; I'm just not sure they will - because of the risks involved.

Even though I like Ingram and McCollum and Big Val, I don't think NO's going to be a successful team with Zion. Everyone there is looking for their own shot.

Ingram might be a better target for us.

[pancakes3]

crossing fingers we can do a Beal+Kuz for Donovan Mitchell swap

[payitforward]

I'm just giving you a hard time old man....

No problem young whippersnapper!

Which brings to mind Walter Brennan - who most of the young'ns never heard of.

Watch on YouTube

A great character actor. Love him in the Howard Hawks film of Hemingway's To Have & Have Not. & in numerous other roles.

[StateoftheWiz05]

crossing fingers we can do a Beal+Kuz for Donovan Mitchell swap

If Tommy was able to pull that off it would be a big swing in a good way. Now Spyda will still need someone that can compliment him in order for it to work in DC. Knowing Ted he doesn't want to part ways with his favorite toy even though it has a lot of imperfections however it is moves like this that can win back the fans he has lost.

[Frichuela]

crossing fingers we can do a Beal+Kuz for Donovan Mitchell swap

If Tommy was able to pull that off it would be a big swing in a good way. Now Spyda will still need someone that can compliment him in order for it to work in DC. Knowing Ted he doesn't want to part ways with his favorite toy even though it has a lot of imperfections however it is moves like this that can win back the fans he has lost.

For salaries to match we would need to take on another Jazz player in the swap. Maybe Mitchell+Bogs for Beal+Kuzma...Man, I'd be all over that.

[StateoftheWiz05]

crossing fingers we can do a Beal+Kuz for Donovan Mitchell swap

If Tommy was able to pull that off it would be a big swing in a good way. Now Spyda will still need someone that can compliment him in order for it to work in DC. Knowing Ted he doesn't want to part ways with his favorite toy even though it has a lot of imperfections however it is moves like this that can win back the fans he has lost.

For salaries to match we would need to take on another Jazz player in the swap. Maybe Mitchell+Bogs for Beal+Kuzma...Man, I'd be all over that.

Bringing back Bogs would not be bad because the team has a history of doing that. That would not be a bad deal for the home team

[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

If he gets bought out, maybe we sign him with the MLE. Frankly, I'd rather have Tyus Jones for the MLE than Wall.

I sure as hell wouldn't trade for him. We don't have the cap ballast. We would have to include Porzingis in the trade, which would undo all the hard work it took to turn Wall into Porzingis in the first place.

[queridiculo]

Read on Twitter

If he gets bought out, maybe we sign him with the MLE. Frankly, I'd rather have Tyus Jones for the MLE than Wall.

I sure as hell wouldn't trade for him. We don't have the cap ballast. We would have to include Porzingis in the trade, which would undo all the hard work it took to turn Wall into Porzingis in the first place.

Wizards trade Porzingis for Wall and a the Wizards conditional firts .

Washington would have turned Wall into Kuzma, KCP, Todd and Wall.

[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

If he gets bought out, maybe we sign him with the MLE. Frankly, I'd rather have Tyus Jones for the MLE than Wall.

I sure as hell wouldn't trade for him. We don't have the cap ballast. We would have to include Porzingis in the trade, which would undo all the hard work it took to turn Wall into Porzingis in the first place.

DA's article notes that the Wizards would not pursue him in a trade but rather the buyout market.

Should the Wizards bring back John Wall?

Put down that bagel you’re about to throw at me. Put. It. Down.

After the Spencer Dinwiddie gambit careened out of control in a little more than half a season, Washington is again in need of a full-time starting point guard. It cannot go into 2022-23 with Raul Neto, Ish Smith, Tomás Satoransky and/or Cassius Winston on the ball. Neither the NBA Draft nor free agency, though having some incoming talent, look as if it can provide immediate help at the position.

If it can plausibly be argued that the Lakers would benefit by getting Wall from Houston for Russell Westbrook, a potential trade rumored to have been discussed before the trade deadline, why wouldn’t the Wizards also improve by re-emigrating their former five-time All-Star? Wall would welcome a return to the team that took him with the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft. It’s something he recently discussed with people close to him and around the league.

“That … is true,” one NBA source said Tuesday.

Such a move, though, would take two to tango. The Wizards would have to want Wall back after his contentious departure from town, which ended with Washington granting him his trade demand just before the start of the 2020-21 season.

Two vital constituents would have to sign off on a Wall reconciliation: Ted Leonsis and Bradley Beal. Washington’s governor was legit angry at Wall’s comportment and decision-making in that infamous 2020 birthday video. (And, again, he should have been.) Leonsis was ready for a divorce. Beal didn’t demand Wall be dealt, but no matter what he says, he was wary of Wall’s absences, unsure whether Wall would ever be the player he’d been before getting hurt and ready to step into the spotlight as the franchise’s leading man.

He’s now had three seasons to see just how harsh and unforgiving that light can be.

More importantly, Washington hasn’t accomplished anything of note in those three seasons, unless you think beating a Pacers team that had quit on its coach in the Play-In Tournament and then being rolled by Philly in a gentlemen’s first-round sweep last season counts as something meaningful. I don’t. And sneaking into the Play-In again this year — “Oh, boy, we’re the 10th-best team in the East!” — wouldn’t mean anything, either. (Don’t take my word for it; ask Beal.) A big reason for that has been suboptimal play at the point. Westbrook’s sensational close last season was the only time since Peak Wall in 2017 that Washington has had a difference-maker at the most important position.

I’m told Beal, though not overtly advocating a Wall return, wouldn’t dismiss a potential reunion out of hand. Washington’s ability to unload Dāvis Bertāns’ salary to Dallas buoyed his faith in the Wizards front office’s ability to make impactful trades, including the one that brought Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to D.C. for Westbrook. Now, though, team president Tommy Sheppard is on the clock to add a floor general who could complement Beal, Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis.

“I’m not saying this any other way, but I think we’ve shown a willingness to be very aggressive,” Sheppard said at the trade deadline last month. “We’ve shown a willingness not to sit still. We’re going to continue to keep pushing to make this team the very best it can be. My responsibility is to the Washington Wizards, to this franchise, to always make it the very best place possible, to not sit still. … (Point guard)’s our focus, for sure, in the offseason.”

Wall would have to accept he’s no longer the face of the franchise. He would not be a savior this time around. Most nights, he’d be a fourth or fifth option offensively. Could a Wall 2.0 handle being a lesser light? If not, we can stop musing. But if so, he could help.

He can still pass at an elite level, and he’d have varied targets he rarely had in his first tour in D.C., from the 7-foot-3 Porzingis to the 6-foot-10 Kuzma. Bertāns is gone, but players such as 2021 first-rounder Corey Kispert and Caldwell-Pope could flourish finding open spots on the floor and waiting for Wall to find them.

A Wall return would not involve a Washington-Houston trade. There’s no way the Wizards would move any assets to the Rockets for him. This would involve the Rockets finally buying out Wall after the season, followed by Wall signing as a free agent with Washington, likely for some or all of the midlevel exception.

A buyout in Houston was improbable this season, with Wall still due $91 million for the last two years of his contract. But the Rockets spent the past nine months futilely looking for a trade partner for him and didn’t find one.

Westbrook has zero desire to return to Houston after his one season with the Rockets in 2019-20, and the last thing they need is an unhappy Westbrook while they build around 2022 first-rounder Jalen Green and multiple young talents. (The Rockets might think buying out Westbrook, who is entering a player-option year in 2022-23 for $47 million, could be easier than buying out Wall.)

The Mavericks might have been a potential trade partner for the Rockets at one point, but Dallas’ acquisition of Dinwiddie and Bertāns in the Porzingis trade gives it insurance in case the Mavs can’t re-sign their incumbent point, Jalen Brunson, this summer. The Knicks, having whiffed on Kemba Walker, could be looking to improve at the point, but what do they have that the Rockets would want?

It’s still eye-popping to imagine a buyout at Wall’s number of $47.3 million next season. But it’s significantly more plausible than it was last year. Houston will be incentivized to save at least some money it would otherwise have to pay Wall not to play. And Wall would gain his freedom. At any rate, Wall — entering his age-32 year and having played just 72 games the last four seasons combined since 2018 after Achilles and bone spur injuries — can’t sit out a second straight season.

Signing him for the midlevel would recoup some, if not all, of what Wall would relinquish to the Rockets in a buyout. Even if the Wizards give Beal the full $242 million in a new deal, they’re not going to be luxury taxpayers anytime soon. They should have the full $10.2 million non-taxpayer exception available.

The Wizards could fill their point guard hole by trading elsewhere, of course. Orlando sticks out as a team to watch going into the offseason. The Magic have played Markelle Fultz, returning from his ACL tear, and rookie Jalen Suggs together in recent games. But each is best long-term with the ball in their hands, making plays or decisions with it. And they each know that. So, too, does second-year point guard Cole Anthony, the Magic’s 2021 first-rounder. Similarly, Indiana has two legit lead guards in Malcolm Brogdon and newly acquired Tyrese Haliburton, and with Buddy Hield and Chris Duarte on the wings, the Pacers might have a logjam at the point.

There might be a trade out there this summer that brings Washington a younger point guard with less baggage, and that makes more sense for the franchise. But bringing Wall back to D.C. is not, at face value, nonsensical.

[nate33]

Wizards trade Porzingis for Wall and a the Wizards conditional firts .

Washington would have turned Wall into Kuzma, KCP, Todd and Wall.

I didn't think about asking for that 1st round pick back. That actually a great idea!

We would have turned Wall into Kuzma, KCP, Todd and Wall. Not only is that getting us Kuzma and KCP for free, but we also ended up renting Westbrook, then Dinwiddie, then Porzingis to fill in for Wall for the two seasons he was rehabbing from injury. Essentially, we only traded away the minutes that Wall wasn't even playing.

[NatP4]

I like the part about Jalen Suggs. Make it happen, Tommy.