McGee for 3rd overall pick?

by Alpha_Snail on May 21, 2009 4:26 PM EDT

Chad Ford, espn.com:

...That's why a couple of teams think the Thunder might be willing to trade down in the draft. Two league sources said the Wizards and Thunder already had discussions about a swap of the No. 3 pick for the No. 5 pick and the Wizards' 2008 first-rounder JaVale McGee.

The Wizards want Rubio and would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and can then get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.

Link

Would this be a good trade? McGee for Rubio/Thabeet?

McGee took some huge steps forward this year, but is bound to lose some minutes with Haywood back and healthy. What do you all think? Should Grunfeld pull the trigger?

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.

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Innnnteresting

But I don’t think McGee is worth it. I’d rather give them Blatche.

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

by Mike Prada on May 21, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

yes

That trade has crossed my mind – Blatche and the 5th for the 3rd.

But not McGee. McGee and the 5th for Griffin maybe.

by Johnnie Futbol on May 21, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

McGee… maybe. That’s a tough call. Not a chance if it’s Thabeet, I think McGee has a better upside, despite being 7’0 instead of 7’3. But for Rubio… I really like a lineup of Rubio, Gil, Caron, Antawn, Haywood.

by sierradave on May 21, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

If they can wait for Memphis to take their pick to confirm they’re drafting Thabeet, than maybe such a trade could be wortwhile. But not if it’s Thabeet, as much as I like the guy.

I really like a lineup of Rubio, Gil, Caron, Antawn, Haywood.

Yep, me too.

Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Green and McGee would be a pretty wild lineup too.

by Johnnie Futbol on May 21, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt Rubio would start in year one.

This is Flip Saunders we’re talking about.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on May 22, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Could this have anything to do with Rubio not wanting to play for memphis?

If Rubio is there at #3 and OKC is confident in Westbrook, I’m all for that trade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on May 21, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Also

could this kind of thing work with Memphis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on May 21, 2009 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

If it's for Rubio then yes...

for Thabeet? Probably not..

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

Boy

I really like the thinking there. That kind of trade (Player + pick for a higher pick) only works with teams that are under the Salary Cap and can afford to take on the Player’s salary under the cap.

Both OKC and Memphis are under the Salary Cap…

I wonder if Memphis would do a similar trade… They already have a pretty good young center in Marc Gasol, so they don’t really need Thabeet…. They also have a good young Point Guard in Mike Conley. I could see JaVale Mcgee playing Power Forward on that team… running with OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay and Darrell Arthur – —

Wizards get the #2 pick in the 2009 draft
Grizzlies get JaVale McGee and the #5 pick in the draft.

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

One more thing

Any trades involving draft picks will most likely not happen until Draft night…

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't you think they could get more value than that though?

Something like David Lee+#8 for #2?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on May 21, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

NO

David Lee is a Free Agent – There would have to be a Sign and Trade deal – and every indication is that David Lee wants $8-$9 Million per year….

Too rich for OKC -

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I meant Memphis.

Why is 8-9 mil too rich? they have cap space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on May 21, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

why would they want David Lee for $9M

when they can get a guy like Thabeet at $2.7Million per year….

Memphis has a very young team – their Owner really likes Thabeet…. He wants the team to be “tougher”…
With 7’3" Thabeet at Center and 7’2" Marc Gasol at PF, they’d be able to match up with ANYONE on the front line.

FROM Chad Ford’s article on ESPN:

the Grizzlies are strongly leaning toward selecting Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2.

The reason?

Several sources told me that owner Michael Heisley loves Thabeet. He wants the team to be tougher defensively and thinks Thabeet would give it the shot-blocking and size it desperately needs.

I’m told that the rest of the Grizzlies’ front office is partial to Rubio, but as we’ve seen the past few years, Heisley runs the show in Memphis.

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

According to Draft Express

Rubio does not want to go to Memphis (I can see why) or Oklahoma City, so if we traded up to 3 we are almost guaranteed to get Rubio. It also says that he would like to go to L.A. (not happening unless they trade) or Sacramento, but if he would want to go to those places then im sure he wouldnt mind coming to D.C. where its a pretty good market and he can contribute to an already, most likely, playoff bound team.

by lj15 on May 21, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Link please

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

by Mike Prada on May 21, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

When is the earliest teams can start making trades?

by lj15 on May 21, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe

Trades can start right now for the 14 lottery teams and any teams that have been eliminated. Only teams still involved in the Playoffs cannot make trades.

Teams cannot trade players who are about to become free agents (Collins, Millsap) or who have player options (Mike James, Etan Thomas). I believe they can trade players with team options.

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

by Rook6980 on May 21, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh ok

I thought that trades couldnt start until around the draft.

by lj15 on May 21, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

They can, they just generally don't

Both sides have a tiny incentive to wait until the last minute to try and negotiate a better deal. Trading up like this almost definitely wouldn’t happen until draft night.

…Gives us all something to blog about, at least!

by sierradave on May 21, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that’s the way I’d look at it too.

NBA Roundtable

by NBR on May 23, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

no way

do not trade javale he has too much upside and we aren’t getting enough in return.

by wizchamp on May 21, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

I am a Rubio fan like most on this board

But is he worth dealing JaVale McGee. I know Rubio maybe a once in a lifetime talent, but I would be crushed to give up McGee (if you had told me a year ago I would utter that statement I would laughed you out of hte pub I was drinking at tonight). I don’t want to give up freakishly talented and athletic center even for a freakishly talented guard like Rubio.

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

by George Templeton on May 22, 2009 4:44 AM EDT reply actions

Especially

When we need a freakishly talented center more than we need a freakishly talented guard, since we already have a freakishly talented guard in Arenas (assuming he will make a full recovery).

"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 May 22, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Skeptical about this trade

Thabeet — barely been playing basketball … NO offensive game to really speak of.

McGee — basketball is in his blood … potentially awesome offensive game … AND good defender/shot blocker … just needs to gain weight.

I really doubt Grunfeld makes this trade … it doesn’t put the Wizards closer to contention.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on May 22, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Absolutely Agree

If we are talking about Thabeet, then forget it. But I think Chad Ford is way off if he thinks we would make this deal without ensuring that Rubio is the prize. Even with Rubio, this might not happen, but I would understand it a lot better.

"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 May 22, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

The only guy I’d be willing to give JaVale up for is Blake Griffin. Not saying Rubio isn’t a great talent, but JaVale has shown not only the length and athleticism to be a great shot blocker/CHANGER, but has shown some brilliant, yet raw offensive ability. He has the touch on his jumper that is extremely rare in centers, and if he would get some strength to absorb some contact, he has the athletic ability to have an offensive game comparable to Yao. He has shown he is very mobile around the rim – up and unders, reverse jams/layups, and fade away jumpers.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on May 22, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

McGee was a terrible team defender last year. On some plays he looked like he was lost in a deep forest and he only blocked shots when players werent smart enough to pump fake, so I would add those things to the “potentially good” list.

by lj15 on May 22, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

dont give up mcgee

i also think this is a poor decision. Let blatche and mcgee develop a little, they both have lots of upside and are our future. Remember big men take more time to develop. As great as rubio sounds do we really need another offensive player? we have guys that can score, we need more defense. and with dom in the starting line up we get more of that

by theintz on May 22, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

If Rubio ended up not dropping

Then the loss of McGee + Harden for Thabeet would be a huge mistake made by the Wizards.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on May 22, 2009 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

However

If Rubio was still there, then finding a franchise PG would be worth the loss of a couple of prospects.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on May 22, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure the trade wouldn’t be official until the Grizzlies select Hasheem on draft night.

AKA - 4D

by daddydai on May 22, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoops

You’re right, I wasn’t even thinking.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on May 22, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

how bout tradin down?

maybe instead of tradin up, they should try 2 trade down and get blair…..we need a post player badly. how about tha #5 2 tha bulls 4 1 of their 1st and lets say hinrich. he is a pg so thats insurance in case gilbert isnt 100%. also, that allows gilbert 2 play off tha ball and i think he would be better at tha 2 anyway

by mrespn07 on May 25, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Please use full sentences and words

No abbrevs.

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

by Mike Prada on May 25, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Why?

Tz ezr to typ this wy

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

by Rook6980 on May 25, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I still think that the Wizards should be able to work out a trade UP in the Draft

If the Thunder and Grizzlies really believe that Rubio will just go back to Spain – perhaps the Wizards can leverage that …. Both OKC and Memphis will have some room under the Salary Cap – so they could pick up a player, without shedding any salary in return.

Make a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies – who need an athletic power forward who can run and play next to Marc Gasol. Sources say that the Grizzlies are very high on Thabeet – and that their Owner wants to get bigger and more defensive minded. If the Grizzlies really think that Thabeet and Marc Gasol can play together, then a trade like this might work:

Trade Andray Blatche and the #5 pick TO OKC for the #2 pick

Advantages for OKC = They get a versatile PF that can start right away…Andray can also back-up the Center position. If they Draft Thabeet, and he’s not ready to start or play significant minutes right away, Blatche can play the PF and Marc Gasol the C… If Gasol and Thabeet can play together, Blatche can be an effective backup for both.

After the Thunder pick Thabeet at the #2 slot….
Trade Andray Blatche and the #5 pick + $2 Million in Cash to OKC for the #3 pick…

Benefit for OKC – They need a SG and a big man… either James Harden or Stephen Curry will be there at #5, and Andray Blatche provides a productive big man that can play either PF or Center. With the Cash, they get Blatche almost for free.

Benefit for Washington – They can draft Rubio as a hedge against Arenas’ knee problems – and to groom as the future PG. They free up a roster slot for their 2nd round pick (The $2 Million Cash is what they would have saved off their Luxury Tax problem – thrown in as an added incentive – but really doesn’t cost the Wizards anything. They will save Blatche’s $3 Million contract , less $1 Million difference between #5 & #3 picks).

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

by Rook6980 on May 25, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions