Official Wizards Draft Thread: Version 2.0

[mhd]

I'm going with Batum if he's there. Too much upside to ignore. Would fit in extremely well within our offense.

[LyricalRico]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Grunfeld -- assuming he keeps the pick -- is going to take Courtney Lee.

Skilled, can shoot, has a midrange game, can slash, can play perimeter D, has some size. There's your backup for C-But.

Yeah, he may have "some size" but he doesn't have enough to be an NBA small forward. He's only 6'5. How does that give him the size to play behind Butler?

[closg00]

Does Ernie have any history of drafting someone he has not worked-out? We certainly are working out quite a few bigs, but NOT Hibbert.

[fishercob]

Does Ernie have any history of drafting someone he has not worked-out? We certainly are working out quite a few bigs, but NOT Hibbert.

I don't believe we worked out McGuire.

But why would Ernie need to work out Hibbert? There's a ton of film on him in a Princeton system, plus Ernie's likely seen the kid play at the VC a dozen times over the past few years.

Being local, you have to figure that Ernie knows everything about the kid -- what kind of crowd he runs with, his work habits, etc.

And here's one more angle for that the EJ haters should enjoy: Hibbert coming to the Wiz might make the job that much more attractive to JTIII, and give Ernie a replacement candidate that he might not have previously had. A huge stretch, I know. But if Eddie is replaced, I think JTIII would be a great fit.

[rl25g]

dont post much but my ideal draft would be

18- Roy Hibbert
47- L.R. Mbah a Moute
UDFA- Sean Singletary

[Soup's Uncle]

Does Ernie have any history of drafting someone he has not worked-out? We certainly are working out quite a few bigs, but NOT Hibbert.

I don't believe we worked out McGuire.

But why would Ernie need to work out Hibbert? There's a ton of film on him in a Princeton system, plus Ernie's likely seen the kid play at the VC a dozen times over the past few years.

Being local, you have to figure that Ernie knows everything about the kid -- what kind of crowd he runs with, his work habits, etc.

And here's one more angle for that the EJ haters should enjoy: Hibbert coming to the Wiz might make the job that much more attractive to JTIII, and give Ernie a replacement candidate that he might not have previously had. A huge stretch, I know. But if Eddie is replaced, I think JTIII would be a great fit.

I like the cut of your jib...that is a stretch but it'd be sweet.

[MF23]

I want to correct something I mentioned earlier. I was speaking on players with higher upsides than Bill Walker. Well, this kid Serge Ibaka has the highest upside in the draft if you ask me. I've only watched highlights but with his length, ability to jump and attitude the sky is the limit. Would I draft him at 18? No, not if the Wizards have players like Hibbert, Speights or Chalmers available. However, this is the first player who has ever reminded me of Karl Malone. Hartford last year just wasn't athletic enough but everything I see of Ibaka reminds me of a young Karl Malone. The main reason I like him would be his attitude. He seems like a nice hard working young man who conceivably could turn away from the B.S. that might interfere with his growth. Still, he's a player that won't give you much for the first 2 1/2 years but out of nowhere he will really start pushing for pt. It all depends on what kind of enviroment he's playing in. If he goes to Utah, Det. or San. I predict good things. Mem. or NY, then there could be some problems. He's a little timid and he needs to be coached and toughend up a bit. Ernie could draft him and Keep him in Europe but that isn't the best thing for the Wizards at the moment. He wouldn't help next year but is he worth the wait? If his character checks out good then yeah. I mean he's a top 10 pick in 2 years if he went to the NCAA.

[newslowsad]

Awesome to see the Wiz giving out some more CAA love by bringing in Folarin Campbell. I wonder what Will Thomas is up to.

[LyricalRico]

Rico’s Mock Draft
Version 2.0

01 – Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
02 – Michael Beasley (Miami Heat)
03 – OJ Mayo (Minnesota Timberwolves)
04 – Jerryd Bayless (Seattle Supersonics)

** We have a trade: Miami trades the rights to Michael Beasley and Alexander Johnson to Seattle for the rights to Jerryd Bayless, Jeff Green and the #24 overall pick. **

05 – Brook Lopez (Memphis Grizzlies)
06 – DJ Augustin (New York Knicks)
07 – Russell Westbrook (Los Angeles Clippers)
08 – Joe Alexander (Milwaukee Bucks)
09 – DeAndre Jordan (Charlotte Bobcats)
10 – Kevin Love (New Jersey Nets)
11 – Eric Gordon (Indiana Pacers)
12 – Danilo Galinari (Sacramento Kings)
13 – Anthony Randolph (Portland Trailblazers)
14 – JaVale McGee (Golden State Warriors)
15 – Brandon Rush (Phoenix Suns)
16 – Marreese Speights (Philadelphia 76ers)
17 – Robin Lopez (Toronto Raptors)
18 – Nicolas Batum (Washington Wizards)
19 – Darrell Arthur (Cleveland Cavaliers)
20 – Mario Chalmers (Denver Nuggets)
21 – Kosta Kuofos (New Jersey Nets)
22 – Courtney Lee (Orlando Magic)
23 – Roy Hibbert (Utah Jazz)
24 – JJ Hickson (Miami Heat, see trade above)
25 – Donte Greene (Houston Rockets)
26 – Bill Walker (San Antonio Spurs)
27 – Alexis Ajinca (New Orleans Hornets)
28 – Serge Ibaka (Memphis Grizzlies)
29 – Devon Hardin (Detroit Pistons)
30 – Jason Thompson (Boston Celtics)

Flame away!

[miller31time]

No way Eric Gordon and Donte Greene fall that far down.

[RickRoll_inDC]

I agree with Miller on that.

Switch Gordon and Alexander (Bucks and Pacers)
Switch Green and Koufos (Rockets and Nets)

I do like most of the draft though. I've liked Batum for us for a VERY long time, and I do like the trade in the beginning between Miami and Seattle.

[LyricalRico]

Switch Gordon and Alexander (Bucks and Pacers)
Switch Green and Koufos (Rockets and Nets)

But where would Gordon fit in with Milwaukee? And what would the Pacers do with yet another small forward? My mock isn't a ranking of talent - it's trying to match up the best pick for each team.

I'll concede that I can see Greene going to New Jersey at #21. If that happens, then I think it changes the entire bottom third of my mock.

21 - Donte Greene (New Jersey Nets)
22 - Courtney Lee (Orlando Magic)
23 - Roy Hibbert (Utah Jazz)
24 - Kosta Kuofos (Miami Heat)
25 - Bill Walker (Houston Rockets)
26 - Jason Thompson (San Antonio Spurs)
27 - JJ Hickson (New Orleans Hornets)
28 - Serge Ibaka (Memphis Grizzlies)
29 - Devon Hardin (Detroit Pistons)
30 - Alexis Ajinca (Boston Celtics)

[W. Unseld]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Grunfeld -- assuming he keeps the pick -- is going to take Courtney Lee.

Skilled, can shoot, has a midrange game, can slash, can play perimeter D, has some size. There's your backup for C-But.

Oh, and he's also got -- our favorite cliche -- upside.

Don't ask me why I think this; I just do. A hunch. Eddie came in for one day, and it just so happened to be for the day Courtney Lee was in. And you've heard NOTHING about the Wizards and Courtney Lee -- which seems to be the way with Grunfeld, to sneak up on us like that.

I would think EJ would like to have Courtney Lee there. They are most likely going to lose Roger Mason Jr. and Lee gives them a mature spot up outside shooter. It wouldn't surprise me either way.

Lyrical--D*mn it man, quit making Miami good again...

[miller31time]

But where would Gordon fit in with Milwaukee? And what would the Pacers do with yet another small forward? My mock isn't a ranking of talent - it's trying to match up the best pick for each team.

Gordon would go 7 to the Clippers or 6 to the Knicks.

[Ji]

whats the point? 44-38 next year no matter what

[DaRealHibachi]

whats the point? 44-38 next year no matter what

Lol... You're in a good mood today...

Any other forecasts for us Ji?

[BruceO]

well ji is right, we are going to be mediocre unless some major changes come about. I'm all for getting hibbert, he was a top five pick last year and wouldnt mind seeing him facing Oden again. 7 '2 center from our area who plays our system.
Anyway the reason I say we are going to be mediocre is cause I don't see us improving defensively or being consistently intense like we did against Boston. Unless we make those moves and risks we aren't going anywhere its just gonna be another year of entertainment and no championship

[Ruzious]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Grunfeld -- assuming he keeps the pick -- is going to take Courtney Lee.

Skilled, can shoot, has a midrange game, can slash, can play perimeter D, has some size. There's your backup for C-But.

Oh, and he's also got -- our favorite cliche -- upside.

Don't ask me why I think this; I just do. A hunch. Eddie came in for one day, and it just so happened to be for the day Courtney Lee was in. And you've heard NOTHING about the Wizards and Courtney Lee -- which seems to be the way with Grunfeld, to sneak up on us like that.

I think he fits in well with this group, and really, who else appeals to you? Ba-TOOM seems to be more Thabo than Scottie, Hibbert is intriguing in some ways but slow and maybe soft, Speights is problematic, Greene scares me ... Koufos I like, but I think he'll be gone.

For going out on such a long limb (and because I think there's zero chance that'll happen), I will send you a check for $500 if the Wiz actually pick Lee at 18.

[Wizardspride]

Can I safely assume that Roy won't be there when we select?

[LyricalRico]

WireTap has Minnesota being interested in Kevin Love. If they think that Jefferson is a center, they could add Love as a nice sidekick. And if they have character concerns about Mayo, it makes even more sense. If Love were to go #3, it would really shake up the lottery IMO.

01 - Rose (Bulls)
02 - Beasley (Heat)
03 - Love (Wolves)
04 - Mayo (Sonics)
05 - Lopez (Grizzlies)
06 - Augustin (Knicks)
07 - Bayless (Clippers)
08 - Alexander (Bucks)
09 - Gordon (Bobcats)
10 - Jordan (Nets)
11 - Westbrook (Pacers)
12 - Randolph (Kings)
13 - Gallinari (Blazers)

Bayless and Randolph slip a bit and Gallinari could fall to Phoenix at #15. If that happens, it could drop Rush all the way down to Houston or San Antonio.