Pecherov option

by Vanilla Gorilla on Oct 27, 2008 12:15 PM EDT Comment 11 comments

According to Ivan's latest article, the Wizards have until Friday to pick up the third-year options on Nick Young and Oleksiy Pecherov. Young seems to be a no-brainer, but Pecherov is a question mark. Granted, he's been injured much of his time here, but his production has been underwhelming, and not picking up his option would free up $2.4 million in salary next season.

There have been times when I thought Pecherov showed some promise. He's obviously a capable outside shooter, and he's a 7-footer. Reports are that he works hard on his game, and there have been times when he 's mixed it up during games. I like that. But he's not a particularly gifted athlete, and he frequently looks lost: His shot selection is questionable, he's somewhat turnover prone, and he sometimes looks lost on defense.

I think big men who can shoot are a valuable commodity, but Pecherov doesn't play particularly big. It would be nice if the team could assess his performance this season before deciding what to do with his contract, but we don't have that luxury. Forced to make a decision this week, I'm inclined to let him become a free agent.

What do others think?

[Editor's Note: I'm glad Vanilla Gorilla brought this up. It's definitely something that's worth talking about. Two things to keep in mind when you're discussing this are A) As tight as we are against the cap, every little bit of relief helps. B) If Grunfeld picks up Pech's option, he could use it to make him more appealing in a trade a la Adam Morrison.

Also, if you're interested in some Bullets Forever Fantasy Basketball, indicate your interest here. -Jake]

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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I have no idea.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Oct 27, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Assuming...

we’re going to trade Etan and AD’s expiring contracts next year for a championship run, wouldn’t it make sense to pick up the option?

by hibachi on Oct 27, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I mean, we'd have to complete a trade first

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 27, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Renounce him

Funny – I sent Pradamaster an email this morning about this very topic…

By the way, Vanilla Gorilla, Pecherov’s 2009-2010 salary is only $1,547,640 (not $2.4 Million)… so I don’t see how the Wizards could free up $2.4 million in salary next season by releasing Pech.. Source: Hoopshype
Link: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm

If the Wizards renounce him (ie: not pick up his option, and renounce their “Bird rights” to him) – they would save $1.5M in 2009-10. That might be enough to allow them to sign their (yet-to-be-determined) 1st Round Draft pick and stay under the Luxury Tax; but they’d probably still have to let go Juan Dixon or Dee Brown to get it done.

Unless Pecherov explodes this year (which I highly doubt, since I believe he’ll spend most of the year on the inactive list) – there will be little or no interest in him throughout the league.. The Wizards might be able to still sign him (if he shows enough in practice, etc…).

Point is – there’s very little incentive for the Wizards to exercise their option for the 3rd year on Pech’s contract. After renouncing a player, a team can still trade the player in a sign-and-trade agreement; and they can still sign that player to a salary that is the greater of 120% of his previous salary or 120% of the minimum salary… (Essentially the same as his Rookie Contract 3rd year – so it’s a wash).

Nick Young, on the other hand, is a completely different story. He would generate a LOT of interest around the League. The Wizards would be wise to exercise their option on his contract.

by Rook6980 on Oct 27, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm leaning this way

mostly from a salary standpoint. If the Wizards are already right up against the cap, picking up Pech’s option is going to make it tough next year to sign draft picks/free agents. I’m a little more optimistic about him than VG, in that when he does get inside, he’s been decent at picking up rebounds. He was fourth on the team in rebound rate last year at 12.1. Unfortunately, he also had the worst FG% at .352, and his eFG% was .420, the second-worst (hi, Taser). I also agree with VG that he kind of wanders around the court at times, and tends to hang around the three-point line too much.

My view is that they should pick up Young’s option, but let Pecherov go, with the strong feeling that Pech will end up in Europe.

by Jon L on Oct 27, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooops

Rook is right. I was reading the wrong column. Pech’s salary is $1.55 million.

That said, reading Rook’s analysis and Jon’s below, I am even more convinced that the right call is to let Pech go.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Oct 27, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NY yes, Pech no

I’ve never seen much from him. Doubt the world will come banging down his door.

by MR on Oct 27, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not the world but many European teams...

… would be happy to have Pech. Agree for sure on the absolute necessity of picking up Nick Young’s option.

by khrabb on Oct 27, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's too bad we can't hang on to him

But what happens if the worst comes and the Boulez are a lottery time. What if Veremenko is ready to come over here next year? Could Pecherov improve enough that the Wizards would want to keep him? Don’t think so.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Oct 27, 2008 6:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

VV

Veremeenko is a shorter, version of Pecherov; AND Pecherov, right now, is light years ahead of VV…..

We won’t see Vladimir any time soon in a Wizards uni.

Best case scenario is that the Wizards don’t pick up Pecherov’s option, and he goes overseas for a couple of more years to develop. Perhaps they could re-sign him then. In the meantime, they would have some wiggle room under the tax to sign a 1st round pick.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Oleksiy. I love his work ethic. Love his personality (“I get buckets, Son”). AND if he were more consistent, I’d even love his game. He needs to get stronger in the upper body, so his rebounding improves. He needs to get stronger in the upper body so he can finish through contact. He needs to get more consistent with his outside shot. He can do all of that Overseas, much better than sitting on the Wizards bench.

by Rook6980 on Oct 27, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs