And even if we do continue the season at this losing pace, I am thrilled to see Nick Young and JaVale McGee’s progress. I am disappointed with Andray Blatche, as it seems like he is not grasping the simple and extremely important fundamental aspects of the game and continues to make the same mistakes, but at least we have the entire season for him to prove himself.

With that being said, If we do end up with a top 5 draft pick, that gives us a huge trading piece to use along with our expiring contracts of AD and Etan, and the beautiful expiring contract of Brendan Haywood (if we do indeed have to include Brendan in any trade it should land us a VERY nice free agent). We could also substitute the still young and promising Blatche with a modest contract in place of Brendan (though I’d hope our #1 and ten million in expiring contracts from AD and Etan might be enough to get us some nice production, Blatche and Brendan are players that could net us an extraordinary free agent).

If this season ends up to be a “rebuilding” year in which we develop our young talent and get a top draft pick, it gives us that many more options in trade negotiations. Remember, our #5 pick of Devin Harris with Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner landed us Antawn Jamison, and we all see how AJ has improved our team. With the creative mind of Ernie Grunfeld, a #1 pick, and three expiring contracts (with one that will for sure be a sexy trading piece) in one of the biggest free agent classes in NBA history, I’m sure we could have an extremely exciting off season.

Is there anyone in college basketball or overseas who you think could be a “franchise changer” a la Tim Duncan? If the season ended today and we had the first pick, who do you take?

You conveniently left out Ricky Rubio – who is in the top 3 in most of the 2009 NBA Mock Drafts

mynbadraft.com #3
http://nbamock.com #2
http://nbadraftpress.com/2009mock.shtml #1
http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-mock-draft.shtml #1
http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-draft/2009-nba-mock-draft-ar49187.html #3
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/index #3
http://www.draftexpress.com/ #1

Here’s a nice youtube video for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12FOZsjWxwk

When you’re watching this, remember that he’s not playing against 18 and 19 year old College students – but against the best European Players. Also, while watching – imagine all those oop passes and fast break passes going to guys like Butler, Young and JaVale McGee.

Of all the players in the 2009 Draft, he has the best chance of becoming a Star.

And, NO, there’s probably not a Tim Duncan in this draft…. but there is possibly the next Steve Nash (Rubio), or the next Dikembe Motombo (Thabeet), or the next Carlos Boozer (Griffin).

Healthy, the Wizards are not that far from competing for the top spots in the Eastern Conference – and for the NBA Championship. They are NOT there, but they’re only a few pieces away.

Now, imagine this:

The Wizards end up with a miserable season, they may have a chance at a top 3 pick in the draft….

Ricky Rubio – the phenominal Spanish PG, who is going to be a star in the NBA. This kid has had NBA GM’s drooling over him since he was 13. (He’s still only 18 now!!! ). We shoud be so lucky… Imagine him paired with Arenas as SG…! You think the Wizards throw a lot of alley-oops now? Wait until you see this kid… No one would be able to keep our back court duo out of the lane; guys like Haywood and McGee would be getting dunks left and right, and guys like Butler, Stevenson and Young would be getting wide open looks from outside from all the drive-and-dish assists.

Blake Griffin – the 6’10" can’t miss PF from Oklahoma; who at Worst Case is another David Lee. Strong and powerful inside player with fluid moves, and the ability to finish inside. Also an oustanding rebounder. (gee whiz, could the Wizards use a guy like that?)

Hasheem Thabeet – 7’3" Center from UConn. Put McGee at PF and you’d have two guys with incredible size, wingspan, mobility, athleticism , leaping ability and explosiveness. NO ONE would be able to get a shot off inside against the Wiz with that duo patrolling the paint ! Heck, have the other three just patrol the 3-point line and make sure they contest outside shots – who cares if someone tries to drive the lane!

NOW – Assume Ernie G. has had 3 good drafts (Young, McGee, and the 2009 pick) – Now he’s ready to deal the Wizards expiring contracts. As Evander Holyfield said above, those expiring contracts ($20 Million) are “sexy trading pieces” for teams interested in participating in one of the best free agent classes in NBA history in 2010. Could Eddie turn those expiring contracts (Daniels, Haywood & Etan Thomas) into the pieces the Wizards need to get over the hump? I think so.

Could the Wizards pick up players like: Shane Battier?, Joe Johnson?, AK47?, Emeka Okafor?

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2008/7/31/583970/eyeing-the-prize-nine-pote

Could Ernie turn those expiring contracts in to even better players? (ala Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol)?

Yeah – I’m with Evander Holyfield – I think this off-season will be very very interesting. And I’m looking forward to next year, when I believe the Wizards will finally have all the pieces they need to compete for a Title.

There is no such thing as a “can’t miss” prospect.

35 and 21 today. just sayin

I have no personal stake in any of this, but I think the Bullets need Griffin. He’s a physical inside player who can give Les Boulez a guy to dump the ball into. It also allows them to slide Butler over to the 2, and Jamison to the 3 at times when the teams goes big. Either way the Bullets would be better off letting Arenas get completely healthy before letting him return. Getting Griffin would be a huge plus for this franchise long term, and would go a long way to getting whatever coach Ernie Grunfeld wanted.