The Wizards, sources said, quickly rebuffed Cleveland's offer of Wally Szczerbiak's $13.8 million...

The Wizards, sources said, quickly rebuffed Cleveland's offer of Wally Szczerbiak's $13.8 million expiring contract for former All-Star forward Antawn Jamison.

One source with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking said Tuesday that team president Ernie Grunfeld is determined to continue resisting interest in Jamison and Caron Butler because the club has renewed hope that injured starters Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood will play in a small handful of games before the season ends, affording the Wiz an opportunity to evaluate the full team they hoped to field this season.

That's the latest from Marc Stein on the Wally-for-Antawn trade rumors. I'm still not sure whether I agree or disagree with the move, but it's what I figured would probably happen.

almost 3 years ago Jake Whitacre 33 comments 0 recs |

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antawn is the new wes

look for him to trade javale mcgee for a tiny, washed up point guard as our GM in about 10 years.
i’m good with antawn being a wiz-for life. i understand the logical arguments for trading him, but i do like him as a player, and couldn’t stomach him in cleveland. as a fan, emotion trumps rationality every time

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 18, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

I'm all for this strategy

Eff it…why not?

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 18, 2009 1:54 PM EST reply actions

it's great... i think

I guess this means Pollin is willing to go over the luxury tax cap.

That said, I have to say we’ll have to wait to evaluate their decision not to trade for cap relief until after we see what they do with their draft pick. What if they get Griffin, do they keep him? If so, give Pollin credit for shelling out big bucks despite the crappy economy. If they trade their pick, are they trying to replicate what Boston did last year, or are they pretty much giving away the pick for cap relief (not sure how they’d do that beyond getting cash for the pick)?

My assumption however is that Pollin, to one degree or another, has decided to empty his pockets a little for the sake of his basketball team, which is quite something considering how often he’s been criticized for being cheap.

by Johnnie Futbol on Feb 18, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

I bet Ernie will get creative over the summer

Wouldn’t be surprised if Blatche was traded in favor of drafting Griffin if we get the #1.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 18, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't be surprised

If he tried something similar with Nick Young if he ended up with James Harden.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Feb 18, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

Is Nick Young < James Harden?

I’m seriously asking, I don’t know. Nick Young was projected to be drafted in the top 10 of a very deep draft before falling into the Wizards lap at 16. James Harden is projected to be drafted as high as #2 in a very shallow draft. How do these players compare with regard to potential greatness?

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Feb 18, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

I think Harden is a better prospect, but I don't know either

Take this for what it’s worth, but NBAdraft.net had Nick Young rated as a 93, and they currently have Harden as a 99.

by Aldo on Feb 18, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

That

And Harden is a little younger, so he’d have that on his side. But you do bring up a good point about how the talent gap probably isn’t as wide as it would seem based on their relative draft position.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Feb 18, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Harden is a better all around player

Where Nick was only a scorer at that point. Harden is also more of a natural leader then Nick, and a more intelligent player as well. I like Nick, but he does not always come off as the brightest guy. Harden would fit in next to a healthy Gil better, as well, unless you enjoy allowing opposing guards into the lane at will. I would give him up for Harden in a second.

by DT711 on Feb 18, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

I Would Not Assume That

I guess this means Pollin is willing to go over the luxury tax cap.

I seriously doubt it. What this more likely means is that Ernie wants to wait to see how the ping pong balls bounce and exactly what the tax is going to be before he makes any trade involving his core players. Trading Jamison makes sense if you assume we will get lucky and get the #1 pick. But what if we don’t get the top pick and are forced to either acquire a guard or a lesser big? Blatche, McGee, and Songaila are not ready (in Songaila’s case never will be) to be starters for a title contender.

Also, nobody but inside league officials know for certain what the luxury tax threshold will be for next season. I’ve been reading reports that attendance has actually remained solid despite the bad economy. Add to that the fact that the Thunder are drawing a lot more fans to its games than the Sonics did last season, and there is reason to believe that the threshold will still rise. While it will undoubtedly not rise to the level we need to keep all of our players, it could rise enough to allow us to dump a lesser player instead of the team captain.

I don’t take Ernie Grunfeld for a gambler. He’s going to want to see all of his cards before he makes a decision.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Feb 18, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

but...

assuming the tax cap stands right around where it is, what kind of trade over the offseason can get them under the luxury cap? they’re projected to be $6-7 million above the tax, not including any rookie salary. they can get cash for the draft pick – which wouldn’t affect their total salary amount but help pollin’s pocket – and a little relief by trading a salary for one slightly less, but I don’t see how that would be enough to get them below the cap. in a trade, a player’s salary must be within 75% of the salary he’s getting traded for. So to get under the cap they’ll have to trade away $24 million in contract and get $18 million in return (if they’re only $6mil above). Good luck to the Wizards if that’s their plan, but I don’t think it is. I think Pollin’s forking over the money for the sake of the team.

granted, that’s at least based on how I understand trade rules.

by Johnnie Futbol on Feb 18, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

There's the rub

The only chance they had of getting under the Luxury Tax next year was THIS year’s trade deadline…
They needed to trade for an expiring contract NOW – to get under next year’s Tax Cap.

This move – (or non-move) means that Pollin is willing to go over the tax to field a Competitive team.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 18, 2009 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

A Little Late in My Reply

But you started an excellent point that Rook has picked up on. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. You are right. It looks like if Ernie doesn’t deal today, the tax will have to get paid. Unless of course, like you said, the Wizards make a bunch of blockbuster trades that result in a $6 million salary dump. Which would be both stupid and sad.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Feb 19, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

I can't criticize the decision

because I wouldn’t be able to stand seeing AJ on the Cavs.

Also, I would want SOMETHING other than Wally World in order to sweeten the deal – JJ Hickson perhaps? Simple cap relief isn’t enough for Ernie to basically admit he made a big mistake signing AJ, particularly when he has produced about as well as could be expected (on offense at least). Screw it – all our chips are in the basket on the roster we have now, so let’s see what we have on the court when we get healthy and give it another whirl next year. I don’t see a clearly better path at this point.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 18, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions

yup

i mean, you can see the best case scenario pretty easily, and it’s not crazy – risky yes, but not crazy.
plus, i think with crittentons continued development, it might make it a little easier for gilbert to be effective even if he has lost a little something.
so you have the same core pieces as last few years, plus critt, mcgee, an improved blatche and mcguire.
SOLD! to the man with the rose-colored glasses.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 18, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Logjam

I’d hate to see Antawn go, but if we’re so lucky as to get Griffin, then we’ll have a problem in the frontcourt. How would you divvy up the minutes among Jamison, Haywood, Blatche, McGee and a high draft pick?

by antawnjameson on Feb 18, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions

they're going to evaluate this team in 10 meaningless games?

and then what? sell the 1st round pick we earned this year?

no way abe is paying the lux tax. seems pretty clear that it’s either going to be AJ or the pick and a contract getting moved.

probably won’t happen until the off-season though.

personally i think it makes more sense to move AJ. it’d be like we took a mulligan on the contract we gave him with the bonus of having the franchise save face because it’s hard to blame ’em for dumping salary after this season and in this economy.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 18, 2009 4:31 PM EST reply actions

It's too late

Darrell – As of Friday, they will be OVER the Luxury Tax next year, no matter what they do from here on out…

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 18, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

When is the luxury tax calculated?

From the Wizards Insider:
“One more thing to keep in mind: yes, this team as presently constructed is facing a tough luxury tax situation next season but remember, Ernie could make the lottery pick and wait to sign the guy a couple of months while he clears space with other deals. Also, remember that the tax isn’t assessed until after the season. Just some things to keep in mind as you discuss trades, the cap and tax and the lottery situation.”
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2009/02/wizards_11-42_vs_t-wolves_17-3.html

Does that mean that they can avoid the luxury tax next year by making a trade this offseason or even during the regular season next year?

by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Feb 18, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

It's calculated at the end of the year

But seeing as how this is the last time to acquire contracts that expire in 2009, it’s not going to be that easy to drop seven million dollars under the tax without cutting salary now.

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

by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2009 2:12 AM EST up reply actions

didn't denver

sell camby in the off-season?

how was that different? (i legitimately don’t understand)

by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 19, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Clippers were under the salary cap

So the salaries didn’t need to match up.

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

by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

And I don't think too many teams will be that far under the salary cap

And willing to take on James/Etan, etc.

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

by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

thx for the explanation

yeah – why would anyone take one of those guys when they’re already under the cap?

by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 20, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure

There really is no reason.

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

by Mike Prada on Feb 20, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

I’d do it as long as they take Songaila or Etan. Of Course, JJ Hickson in return would be nice, but straight up Jamison for Wally World is a no go.

by Fundefined on Feb 18, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions

Jamison: I just bought a house

“That’s why I signed here last summer,” Jamison said. “I just bought a house, so I plan on being here three more years.
”http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/" target="_blank">http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

My read on the Jamison quote is that it sounds more committed than the typical “I’d like to finish my career here, but I’m going to do what’s best for my family” line players dish out. So, if Jamison is adamant about remaining a Wizard, would Jamison’s strong preference and Pollin’s attachment to Jamison prevent Pollin from moving Jamison even if he felt it was in the team’s best interest?

by morethesamewiz on Feb 18, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions

good question, we will see...

personally I wouldn’t mind being able to Gil for some games this year just for the hell of it, along with him when he’s healthy I would rather not break up the big 3, their one of the best trio’s in the NBA when all healthy.

by purpleonblack86 on Feb 18, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions

Larry Hughes Update

From Ivan Carter:
“It was about a week ago that someone told me that a Larry Hughes for Etan Thomas and Mike James swap may not go down until the last minute as the Bulls look for better deals for Hughes. The trade deadline is tomorrow at 3 p.m.”
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2009/02/stay_tuned.html

From David Aldridge
“Chicago is still looking for a suitor for Larry Hughes”
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/02/18/bulls.kings.trade/

From me:
I would love for Larry Hughes to be back in a Wizards uniform. Mike James gone opens up time for Critt, and Etan unfortunately has nothing left in the tank, and I would not be surprised for Hughes to shine being back in Washington again. And he and Gil are like brothers, so this would be great for team chemistry. And he can defend. And it would be a beautiful thing to knock the Cavs out of the playoffs one of these years behind a big game from Larry Hughes, that would be a dagger to tell the grandkids about.

by morethesamewiz on Feb 18, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply actions

It wouldn't be the worst trade in the world

But it wouldn’t solve any of the team’s tax problems.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Feb 18, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

But

If Abe is willing to go over the tax, he might as well go all out and get the best players he can for a championship run. Good ol’ Abe probably remembers the players that got him to the second round of the playoffs for the only time in 30 years.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Feb 19, 2009 8:04 AM EST up reply actions

I wanted Antawn gone . . .

and to do it for Wally would’ve been fine with me. Antawn is a good man and was a great player for the club, but I am sick of him. I am sick of his lack of effort at one end of the floor, I am sick of him cutting on our youngsters and frankly his contract makes me turn three shades of green. The fact that we are even discussing selling a top 5 pick (a la that idgit Robert Sarver!) because we are going to hang on to this overpaid old Tar Heel is disheartening to the highest degree. Antawn Jamison ain’t taking us anywhere and if there really was a chance to get rid of that bloated contract Ernie Grunfeld should’ve taken it. Caron Butler was the player to demand $1.10 on the dollar for, not Jamison.
I will take a lot of this back if the Wizards get a top 2 pick and keep it, but I have a bad feeling that won’t occur. Message to Abe: DO NOT SELL THE #$#$#$ DRAFT PICK NEXT YEAR. If Grunfeld can make a deal that makes this team a viable contender (and I am not sure that is possible given Arenas’ condition and the team’s lack of a true point) then fine. Otherwise, I hope to see Blake Griffin/Ricky Rubio/James Harden donning a Wizards cap and making ridiculous declarations of their future greatness!

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

by George Templeton on Feb 19, 2009 4:09 PM EST reply actions