Nick Young traded to Clippers/McGee to Denver/Nene to DC

[tontoz]

I would rather take a shot with one of those youngsters than pay Nene $13 million each year at ages 32 and 33. Even if those younger players isn't all we hope they'll be, I suspect they'll be come closer to being worth the money than Nene in 2015 and 2016.

Nene's game would have to fall off a lot to get down to Hawes' level. Even then i still think Nene would be a far better defender.

And of course this debate is making the assumption that Anderson and Batum will be available which they probably won't be.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You'd take a 30-year old Nene over Anderson, Batum or Hawes? I wouldn't.

Yes. I don't think Batum makes enough impact to get max money. And I worry that Anderson is just a product of playing alongside Dwight Howard. He's a competent player to be sure, but he won't post a PER of 22 while playing in Washington. Spencer Hawes played 3 full seasons posting a PER of 12-13 each year. Suddenly, in just 21 games this year, he posted a PER of 19, most of which was done in a crazy stint of productivity over the first 6 games of the season. He has been the same ordinary player from his 7th game onward.

nate, I don't rely on PER much now, but FYI McGee's PER is 20 this season. His PER is over 22 for his first 4 games with Denver. DeMarcus Cousins' PER is over 21, and his WS/48 is five times higher this season than last on the same, bad team.

[closg00]

Everyone keeps forgetting that Steve Novak will be an UFA.

[dobrojim]

You'd take a 30-year old Nene over Anderson, Batum or Hawes? I wouldn't.

Yes. I don't think Batum makes enough impact to get max money. And I worry that Anderson is just a product of playing alongside Dwight Howard. He's a competent player to be sure, but he won't post a PER of 22 while playing in Washington. Spencer Hawes played 3 full seasons posting a PER of 12-13 each year. Suddenly, in just 21 games this year, he posted a PER of 19, most of which was done in a crazy stint of productivity over the first 6 games of the season. He has been the same ordinary player from his 7th game onward.

wasn't part of that amazing productivity when he was going up
against defensive stalwart, Javale McGee?

[jivelikenice]

I would not take Hawes over Nene. Would I take Ryan Anderson? Maybe, but we still have a hole at the 5 then and how exactly would that be addressed? Also there was no gauranty or even an inkling that Ryan Anderson would have signed here so to make it seem like we chose option A or option B is not a fair assessment. Ryan Anderson has stated a desire to stay in Orlando.
http://www.iamagm.com/news/2012/02/25/r ... ays.or.not

We still have cap space assuming a buyout of Rashard and amnestying Dray. We can still go after a Ryan Anderson if we choose to or a Batum. I still don't think Anderson in particular signs here but Batum might be had if we overpay (which is the reality of FA for non destination cities). Also I don't think you can argue that Wall, Nene, plus a high lotto pick make us a lot more attractive to free agents then Wall, lotto pick, no center....

[verbal8]

Everyone keeps forgetting that Steve Novak will be an UFA.

If the Wizards sign him will they have a party similar to what the Heat did for LBJ and Bosh?

Seriously though, I think even if he isn't a starter Novak could be a good addition.

[Nivek]

I dunno about Hawes, but remember that in nate's scenario Hawes would be getting $4 million per season less than Nene.

Here's a couple other ways to look at it.

Hawes at 15.5% of the cap vs. Nene at 22.4% of the cap.

or

Hawes consuming 30% of the Wizards available cap space this offseason vs. Nene consuming 43% of the cap space.

He's the one I'd be least willing to pay, though. I'd definitely rather have Anderson at the same money (or more) than Nene.

On Batum, I share Nate's concern that he might not have as much impact as you'd want from a maxish salary player. But, I already know 100% for sure that Nene isn't a maxish caliber player. And he's only getting older. For the same money, I'd rather have the 23-year old with terrific skills.

[jivelikenice]

Batum isn't a max player. But FA is deisnged to overpay for teams like us. If this is really our best & only shot to go after a big $ FA given we'll have to soon re-sign Wall then you take it IMO. You don't give it to anyone but you give it to someone who fits well. Can Batum thrive here? I think he can. He can shoot, run the floor, defend, plays a mature game, and is young. He is probably a perfect fit based on how most of us envision this teamto play so his value to us might be greater than it is to others. is he a 22 ppg player? No. But I think he can easily become a 18 ppg player, shoot a high %, and be someone we don't concern ourselves over for the next 5 years....

[DCZards]

I'm assuming EG and Co. decided it was wiser to lockdown a decent center for the next 3-4 years than HOPE they would sign an Anderson or Batum. You can argue with that decision but it does make sense on a lot of levels.

And aren't you guys always saying that long-range shooters like Batum and Anderson (although he's a good reboudner as well) are easier to find than solid, accomplished centers? I like Batum and Anderson but I'm not convinced that there aren't other good long range shooters that the Zards can sign for a lot less.

I think too much is being made of Nene's age. Providing he can remain healthy (and I know that's a big if) I can see Nene being a fairly productive player until maybe 34-35 years of age, which is not unusual for a big man. Will Nene be worth $13 mil in 2014? Probably not. But if having stabilty at center and Nene's maturity helps the Zards and its youngun's improve significantly over the next 3 years, then it was a good investment, imo.

[Nivek]

DCZards -- One of the biggest problems I have with the trade is the guy who made it. I have big-time doubts that Ernie is the right guy to make "wise" decisions about the team's future.

But I've said all this before.

[tontoz]

I think I am on board with Nate as far as not spending a lot this summer. Assuming they draft a 2 or 3 they could sign another shooter for cheap.

Defense update. In the 8 games since the trade the Wizards are giving up only 90.5 ppg. It is going to be interesting to see if this defense holds up or if it is just a bit of an anomoly.

[Severn Hoos]

The NBA is all about perception. Javale can be the same player he was here in Denver, but on that stage and in the playoffs his value is up even if all he does is cut out the embarassing moments. Teams will view him as such and will be willing to pay him.

Ouch...

Solicitor General Donald Verrilli has become the left's fall guy for wilting like a flower in front of the Supreme Court today while defending the Obama administration's individual mandate, a key provision of the Democrats' health reform bill.

...

Offering up an alternative sports analogy, The Huffington Post's Jason Linkins tweeted "Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. is apparently the JaVale McGee of Solicitor Generals," referring to the Denver Nuggets' troubled center.

At least it didn't say "the Washington Wizards' troubled center."





OK, point #1: No, I'm not trying to inject politics into the discussion, just pointing out that McGee has become - sadly, I might add - a laughingstock that goes even beyond the sports world. But what makes it really sad is that I'm not sure he even realizes it. At least, he doesn't seem to be making any attempts to change the perception.

And point #2: I also get that the perceptions of people outside the game are of little consequence, and they certainly don't understand things like Efficiency, PER, and whatever other measures we may use to demonstrate JaVale's on-court effectiveness. But other players and agents also have some of the same perceptions, and at some point, you have to wonder if they view the entire franchise a certain way if things are tolerated or antics continue.

[DCZards]

DCZards -- One of the biggest problems I have with the trade is the guy who made it. I have big-time doubts that Ernie is the right guy to make "wise" decisions about the team's future.

But I've said all this before.

To me, the merits of the trade are far more important than who made it. We can all agree that EG has made some lousy trades, but I don't think that should color how we feel about this particular trade. We have to let each trade stand on its own...for better or for worse.

[montestewart]

^
All the more reason to get rid of EG. A new coach and GM to go with the new owner and the subtraction of McGee, Young, and Blatche's reputations (and Lewis' bloated contract and connection to Arenas) could gradually alter ingrained perceptions.

[nate33]

Don't forget that in my hypothetical scenario of signing Nene versus Anderson, that we would also lack a center other than Seraphin (having let McGee walk). We would be paying Anderson $11M a year to compete at PF with Booker and Vesely, with no legit center to play the 18-24 minutes a game when Seraphin rests.

[closg00]

Everyone keeps forgetting that Steve Novak will be an UFA.

[dobrojim]

Novak -> 'ship

[nate33]

Everyone keeps forgetting that Steve Novak will be an UFA.

Novak is a liability at the other end of the floor. I think he could be a useful role player here, but I wouldn't pay him anywhere near as much money as other stretch 4's like Anderson and Ilyasova will get.

I suspect that whatever he costs, he'll be overpaid thanks to the NY hype machine. We'd be better off shopping for a stretch 4 in the 2nd round of the draft.

Is Novak any better than Robbie Hummel?

[Nivek]

DCZards -- One of the biggest problems I have with the trade is the guy who made it. I have big-time doubts that Ernie is the right guy to make "wise" decisions about the team's future.

But I've said all this before.

To me, the merits of the trade are far more important than who made it. We can all agree that EG has made some lousy trades, but I don't think that should color how we feel about this particular trade. We have to let each trade stand on its own...for better or for worse.

I don't like the trade on its merits.

I further don't like it because of who made it.

I even further don't like it because it suggests that the guy who made it is going to be sticking around to rebuild the team.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

DCZards -- One of the biggest problems I have with the trade is the guy who made it. I have big-time doubts that Ernie is the right guy to make "wise" decisions about the team's future.

But I've said all this before.

To me, the merits of the trade are far more important than who made it. We can all agree that EG has made some lousy trades, but I don't think that should color how we feel about this particular trade. We have to let each trade stand on its own...for better or for worse.

I don't like the trade on its merits.

I further don't like it because of who made it.

I even further don't like it because it suggests that the guy who made it is going to be sticking around to rebuild the team.

+1

As I was reading, Nivek, I got a Dr Seuss vibe from your response. Dr Seuss might have put it this way:

I do not like the trade
I don't like the man who made the trade
I don't like that the man who made the trade may stay and continue to be paid to be GM