Rebuilding The Wizards: Three Options
by Pryme on Jan 13, 2010 1:11 PM EST
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At this point in the season, if the Wizards are to really rebuild, they have options. Before I get into the three I see, let me state what I mean by "rebuilding:" Gilbert Arenas is no longer the "engine" of this team and we need a new player to build the team around. That means some players definitely have to go, some players can stay and others, well, it's really up to them.
Of course, as long as Ernie Grunfeld in the GM, there will be a measured (and most likely slow) approach. So keep that in mind.
After the jump, I'll get into the different scenarios.
SCORCHED EARTH FIRE SALE. This is probably the scenario most desired by the community here: trade/release everyone for pics, cash and expiring contracts and use the next set of drafts to build another contender. Going this route all but guarantees that our Veterans (Jamison, Butler, Stevenson, Miller and Oberto and most likely Haywood too). As for the Young Guns (McGee, Blatche, McGuire, Young, and Foye), it all depends on whether any other team wants these guys; they all have their pluses and minuses. James and Boykins were never considered part of any long-term plans, so their fate is an overall wash.
Pros: We start clean; nothing from the Eddie Jordan/Gilbert Arenas Era remains (unless you count Grunfeld). At this point most of the Wizards' fans and writers are willing to give Flip a pass on the season, so he can start fresh as well. The national media will leave the franchise alone and allow ownership and management to get its act together.
Cons: It will take between 3-4 seasons before we can even talk about contending for a championship (playoffs are a different matter). The fans may not be patient for that duration. Some players will still be owed money. Ernie may turn out to be better as a "rebuilding with what you've got"-type GM than a "making a contender from scratch"-type GM. Dirty laundry from released/traded player will definitely come out, making free agency more difficult. The draft picks may not work out as planned, extending the rebuilding schedule.
PATCH THE SHIP, JAMISON EDITION. Allow me to frighten some of you: Grunfeld, impressed with Jamison's dedication to the team, decides to rebuild the squad around his strengths and weaknesses. Most likely this will result in a drastically older roster (as Jamison is playing more for a championship than a trade at this point) which means the Young Guns are gone (maybe they keep Foye and McGuire). Oberto is probably gone for someone who can play more minutes (without getting into foul trouble), Stevenson stays as "Miller Insurance" and Haywood will most likely become one of the "Young Vets." The biggest wild card is Butler: if he wants out of DC, the team might as well go with scenario one.
Pros: For those who have been waiting a long time to see a serious contender, this is their fantasy come to life. Assuming we get veterans that complement Jamison, the team becomes smarter and wiser. Offensive execution will most likely improve. For the players who remain, the move will reaffirm who the team leader is. Flip has a chance to return to the playoffs.
Cons: Dirty Laundry will still air. Some sports writers (and followers) will label the Wizards desperate and unrealistic. If Jamison breaks down, Grunfeld will look like the (second) biggest fool in the NBA. A predominantly veteran squad, while ideal for the playoffs, may not survive the grind of the regular season.
PATCH THE SHIP, BUTLER EDITION. From a marketing perspective, this is probably the best of the three: make Caron Butler the centerpiece of the Washington Wizards. If you want to make a late night talk show analogy, you can argue that Butler was Conan O'Brien to Arenas' Jay Leno for the past two seasons, and that this was overdue/inevitable anyway. Regardless, making this moves probably means that Grunfeld intends to do a hybrid of the two earlier scenarios: remaking the team, but not into a playoff contender as much as a respectable competitor that may or may not slip in. If this is the case, Jamison's gone. You might as well dump Oberto while we're at it. Haywood and Miller could stay if only because Haywood's a better defensive player and Miller's a better offensive one. As for the Young Guns, it really depends on whether Grunfeld wants to ad pieces via the draft or free agency. If by the draft: keep the kids and play with Butler to see who has the best chemistry with the guy, win/loss record be damned. If via free agency, trade the kids away to other team who are further along or desperate.
Pros: Grunfeld can talk out of both sides of his mouth with this one: one day he can claim that they're developing the Young Guns, the other he can claim they have the adequate pieces to make noise in the playoffs. Butler gets to prove he's a star player worthy of building around. Jamison gets the chance to move to a true contender. The Young Guns will have no more excuses after getting yet another season of extended playing time. Flip will have the opportunity to tailor plays to his star player.
Cons: Butler may turn out to be this generation's Juwan Howard, a very decent third banana who by circumstances beyond his control ended up in the role of being treated and looked at as a top banana. Some players may revolt at the idea. Flip's offense, which is more guard-orientated, may hurt Butler's production even more now that the spotlight's on him. The players Grunfeld gets may be no better a fit than the ones he let go. A conflict between the fan's timetable and Grunfeld's may lead to some empty seats at the Phone Booth.
I'm positive there are more scenarios out there, so please share (or tell me what you think of these).
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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who do you propose we acquire to complement Jamison or Butler, and how do we get them?
by John Park Williams on Jan 13, 2010 1:18 PM EST reply actions
I can't say who spefically, but I can suggest the type of players
For Butler: he needs a backcourt who are dead-eye shooters and capable ball-handlers, and a front court who can occasionally post-up. The bench needs to be more defensive-minded and have a desire to run up and down the court.
For Jamison: he needs a backcourt where the guards are more slashers than shooters, but who can still make an open shot. His frontcourt should concentrate more on defense and rebounding than scoring. This bench needs to be more balanced (equal parts offense and defense) and capable for lasting for longer stretches than Butler’s bench.
The Wizards should gather all the trade offers for Butler and Jamison.....
and then give them the option of where they want to play, contingent on the Wiz only receiving contracts that expire at 2011 at the latest.
If Butler and Jamison want to stay, then let them stay, but if there is an opportunity for them to go to a contender, with the Wiz receiving good contracts and picks in return, and they want to take it, then so be it.
I think the Wizards are a lot better off than people think. They have hit bottom sooner than we expected, allowing us to rebuild now rather than in 2012. Even if we can’t void Arenas’ contract, the 2010 draft looks to be pretty strong, plus, we have tons of contracts coming off the books.
I think the key is us the fans. We need to be patient, and allow the Wiz to put together a new nucleus that is 1) competitive but 2) likable. Maybe I am in the minority, but I never liked Arenas’ personality. He was so full of himself. His on-court performance allowed me to overlook the fact that he was someone I would never want to play with or be around.
I say trade Butler to Sacramento for Kenny Thomas’ expiring contract and a conditional first round pick.
I say we also swallow our pride and trade Jamison to Cleveland for Ilgauskus and the Cavs 2011 1st round pick, and then release Ilgauskus and allow him to return to Cleveland.
With Jamison and Butler off the books, we suddenly have tons of cap space. However, unless LBJ, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh want to play here (I dont know why we would), we should stand pat.
We can then have tons of cap space for 2011, sign local/likable players (Deron Washington, Pops Mensah Bansu) to fill out our roster, and just be patient, and wait for the next superstar that is available.
I think the Wizards right now are in better shape than Detroit, Indiana, Charlotte, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Those teams may be more competitive than the Wiz over the next 2 seasons, but they are committed to players who can’t possibly win them a championship.
by John Park Williams on Jan 13, 2010 1:36 PM EST reply actions
I'd suggest getting more value than that for Butler
He expires in 2011 anyway, so it’s not the end of the world if he’s kept aboard for another year if the offers are that bad. Jamison’s the one that needs to go now because nobody’s going to want him next year.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
More value
My problem with acquiring “more value” is that acquiring slightly above average players to fill out our roster just eats into the salary cap without a corresponding increase in wins. I believe it is better to go 20-62 than 30-52, and that it is better to have Deron Washington on our team at $600,000 for one year, than Martell Webster at $5 million per year for the next three years.
But, I also think Caron Butler has earned the right to choose where he plays. If he wants to stay, perfect, he will set a great example. But if an offer is presented to the Wizards giving them expring contracts and nothing else, and Butler wants to try a new place that may compete for the playoffs, I would let him go.
by John Park Williams on Jan 13, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions
Can you click reply so it's easy to follow the conversation?
More value is more prospects, not guys like Martell Webster.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Well I like Nick Young and Miller
Trade AJ and Bulter for some young players and I dont care where its all about making the wizards better and getting younger at the same time…think D-fence!
There's no way
we’re gonna build around Jamison. He is way too old for that. And Butler is a complimentary player, not a franchise player. So your “scorched earth” choice is the best. It is time to dump as much as we can. WE need to get rid of the losing culture, not to mention the immaturity. I don’t think any player should be untouchable. Frankly, at this point, I would rather be watching a bunch of young guys who are actually hungry.
Oh yeah, and I would DEFINITELY rather be watching Dejuan Blair than Oberto.
I think
you are all underestimating the time involved in a complete tear-down job. Not to mention the risk.
3-4 years before we can start talking championship? Playoffs before that? Was that a typo?
no typo
that’s why I said “talking” instead of “playing for.” As in, “casual Washington fans will wake up, look at the team’s record and some highlights, and declare the Wiz the team to beat while people who follow the team on even a semi-regular basis will say, ‘Whoa, hold on there.’”
See: Washington Redskins (every other year)
Not sure I'm following you
but let’s look ‘best case scenario’ for a sec:
Pick up a bunch of draft picks over the next 2-3 years. Let’s say one of them turns into #1 pick. Let’s say that pick is a once-in-a-decade player. We’d STILL be 2ish years from the PLAYOFFS.
I mean, look at OKC. 2 years into an amazingly fast rebuild is anyone talking championship? Now that’s 2 years from the draft pick, not 2 years from the blowup.
It’s going to be a long road.
by MR on Jan 13, 2010 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
Depends on who we keep from this roster for those 2-3 years
but I would say that being in the East helps. Fanboy fantasies asides, I personally think this route is at least a six-year project.
I think 6 years is on the realistic side of optimistic.
Lebron’s been around 6 years, right? Cleveland is still trying and he’s the draft pick of the decade.
by MR on Jan 13, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions
they have a shaky coach, cheap owner and a timid GM
but yeah; if I recall both Carmelo and Wade made the playoffs before James did.
disagree in a big way
Cleveland has been in the playoffs 4 of the most recent of Lebron’s 6 seasons and once in the finals. And they have the best record in the NBA so far this year. I’d say that’s a pretty serious impact he’s made. And this is only the 1st year he’s had another all-star on his team.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Blow it up
Gil is done here. Caron and Jamison are over 30. Caron is younger, but his deal expires in 2011, meaning he’d get a Jamison contract. These are not building blocks.
Without the big three in place, there is no incentive to re-sign Miller or Haywood at the going rate because they are 30 year old role players and not building blocks. Pray you can get someone to take Deshawn, but worst case scenario he’s an expiring in the summer.
As for young guns, Blatche has shown that he won’t change his ways so ship him out. Nick Young isn’t as bad as Blatche, but hasn’t shown enough maturity and flashes to say he’s a building block. He will be 26 when next season starts so we shouldn’t expect him to get much better.
Foye, McGee and maybe McGuire are the only guys worth keeping. The others are either too old, injury prone, expensive or lacking in focus. Foye is still kind of questionable to me. McGee gets the benefit of the doubt because he’s in his second year, young, and has freakish talent, but I don’t disagree with the McGee to the D-League crowd. McGuire is just a cheap, hard worker.
Move them all for as many expiring contracts and draft picks as possible. We’ll have a high lottery pick in a deep draft. We should also see what we can get in the best free agent class in history whether its Lebron or Rudy Gay or whomever. This summer can actually rebuild our foundation if we can get back to ground zero.
P.S. I wouldn’t mind talking to Minnesota again about the rights to Rubio. They have a glut of point guards and Rubio didn’t want to come here before because of Gilbert. They also have a glut at PF because of Love and Jefferson. Maybe they’d have interest in Caron.
by gorebd on Jan 13, 2010 6:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
would you do Caron plus 2010 1st Round pick for Al Jefferson?
by John Park Williams on Jan 13, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
because I would not, but that is the only way I see the Timberwolves taking on Butler
Trading for Rubio just seems crazy at this point. Even if we traded for him, he would still be bound to the same contract in Spain, so he would not come over here until 2011 at the earlier, and more likely it would be 2012.
by John Park Williams on Jan 13, 2010 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
Good Post
I agree with almost everything you said. There is really nobody on this roster I am excited about anymore. We need to completely dismantle this roster and eradicate this culture of losing the same way you would eradicate an insect problem. Clear everybody out and fumigate. Wait for the stench to clear and then start to rebuild. Go young and go draft. Try for a hungry, young free agent that plays defense. Hope and pray for John Wall or someone almost as good.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
It mostly blows up on its own
Building around Butler or Jamison doesn’t make sense because neither is good enough to be the centerpiece of a good team.
Assuming the team finds a way to get rid of Arenas (voiding contract or trading), which is not a given, then the only guy who really needs to be traded to completely blow it up is Jamison (and he really has to be). Almost everyone else expires, leaving only $22M committed next year, most of which is expiring. Jamison is doing a great job making himself marketable, so the Wiz should take their time considering offers on him.
Cleveland’s 1st round pick isn’t worth much because it will be one of the last picks. I’d rather take Hickson. Trade Butler only if you can get something good for him, because he expires next year anyway. Play the young guys so we can make decisions about who to resign (the 30+ crowd can all walk unless they’re bargains). Then spend the available money wisely in the off-season and make a good draft pick and we’re already back on the upswing next year with some reasonably-priced young talent, a top-10 pick in a strong draft and a few decent free agent signings. There should still be cap space in the next summer for one more good free agent to fill it out. Playoffs in 2011/12, championship in 2014.
This isnt the NFL
It will take between 3-4 seasons before we can even talk about contending for a championship (playoffs are a different matter).
you are INSANE. To think blowing up this roster, rebuilding from scratch, and then contending for a championship in 3-4 seasons you have to be. I think an absolute BEST case scenario is tearing down and hoping to be where we were last year (4-8 EC playoff seed) within 3-4 years.
VOID!!!
Arenas is staying until at least summer 2011
and will be back on the floor for this team.
I am not sure about the ins, but I know who I want the outs to be: Jamison, Butler, James, Foye, Haywood, Stevenson.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jan 14, 2010 3:14 PM EST reply actions
I wrote that thinking
that A. he would plea to something with no jail time and B. he would only be suspended for 20 or some games and C. That Arenas is untradeable until summer 2011. I know A & B are tremendously wrong at this point. Who the hell knows about C.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Jan 15, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
After the Latest News
About Gil feeling betrayed by the organization, and players telling reporters that they’ll all be traded in any case, I think the only option left is the SCORCHED EARTH FIRE SALE. Yes, it will take many seasons until our team is relevant again, but the journey of 1,000 miles has to begin with the first step. This team is in complete disarray and dysfunctional right now. Hopefully the state of affairs will lead to the Pollin family selling the rest of the team to Ted Leonsis so that the rebuilding can begin.
Ernie Grunfeld has to go. It may not be all of his fault, but this is the team he assembled, so he has to take the responsibility for its failures. Plus, the way he treated Gil after the gun incident may make other star free agents wary of ever doing business with him again.
The decision to keep Flip Saunders should be made by the new GM. I think Flip deserves another season, but he may not want to begin a long rebuilding process. If he doesn’t want to be here, then try to work out an early termination of his contract and let him leave.
Gilbert will probably never play another game for the Wizards. He will likely be suspended to the end of this season, and from there nobody knows for sure. Most likely, he will either be traded or bought out. I can’t imagine he would want to suit up for this organization ever again, and we shouldn’t force anybody on the court who doesn’t want to be here.
Caron Butler is playing some of the worst basketball in his career and appears to be not-so-subtlety begging to be traded. We should grant his wish. Expirings should be the first priority to get back, followed by young players and draft picks.
Antawn Jamison is still playing great offensive basketball (for the most part), but I don’t think he’s even trying on defense anymore. I think that’s his way of begging to be traded. Just like with Butler, grant his wish with the same priorities to get back.
All of our expiring contracts should either be traded for other expirings or allowed to expire. That includes Randy Foye, despite his improved play. He just isn’t a good fit at either guard position, and I think we should use this opportunity to permanently rid ourselves of combo guards.
Getting rid of DeShawn Stevenson would be nice, but we shouldn’t hold our breaths. Worst case scenario is he plays another season for us in what will probably be a dreadful team in any case.
Our young guys should either be used to help trade one of our Big 3 or otherwise kept to fill out our roster. I don’t think any of them can ever start for a championship team, but perhaps one of them might be a good bench player for such a team. In any case, they are all cheap players we would need to acquire in any case.
Pray and hope for a lucky lottery ball bounce. If we can get a top 3 pick, we should make plans to build around him with perhaps a big free agent pickup or a trade. Otherwise, use our pick to acquire size and good defensive and rebounding ability. He doesn’t have to be a potential star, just a potential starter on a championship team. We can always try for the franchise player the next draft.
For us fans, there is nothing new under the sun. We cheer for the Wizards, what more should we expect? I’ll tell you what to expect – we will suck for at least the next two seasons, and probably longer. If and when the Wizards ever win a championship, this long period in the wilderness will make it taste that much sweeter. Hopefully, nobody reading this is older than 65. If so, I feel really sorry for you, because you might not live long enough to see the championship trophy. But then again, anything is possible.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
Load up on the 2010 draft
There is a ton of talent in this draft. John Wall, Wesley Johnson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Evan Turner, and Donatas Motiejunas are first year starters for almost any team. You have big guys like Greg Monroe, Cole Aldrich, Ed Davis, Patrick Patterson, Craig Brackins, and Trevor Booker that be very effective in their first years. That still leaves you good role players like Manny Harris, Stanley Robinson, Gani Lawal, Sherron Collins, Luke Harangody. Sooo much talent that blowing up to start over with prospects may not set us back too far.
How about trading with Dallas?
Gilbert and Brendan for Josh Howard and Dampier.
We get Howard’s expiring contract and Dampier’s 2011 unguaranteed contract to use to try to rebuild. For us fans, at least we’d have the fun of speculating what we could get in next summer’s free agent market and with Dampier’s instant-expiring contract.
Dallas gets a legit center who can play 30+ minutes per game and stay healthy. Gilbert can play the 2 alongside JKidd, just like he used to with Antonio Daniels. Dallas hopes that Gilbert’s suspension ends in time for him to play in the postseason.
Dallas would be the perfect place for Gilbert to restart his career, because gungate wouldn’t seem like such a big deal down there. Gilbert will of course go on to become a superduperstar, the latest in a long line of young talent we’ve let get away and go on to become great for other teams over the years.
Mostly, though, I just don’t want the Lakers, Celtics, or, god forbid, the Cavs to win the title this year.
I've always felt that Dallas was the most logical choice for Arenas
But my guess is that it won’t happen until the offseason, when the Mavericks lose again in the playoffs, because Gil is not going to be on the court again this year most likely.
I still say Gil and JaVale McGee for Dampier’s expiring, Roddy Beaubois, a pick sometime and Matt Carroll’s mildly long contract is something Dallas would jump for. I’d do it even if we lose McGee because we’d get Beaubois back and a pick and send Gil off the right way.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Not while they also have Baron I don't think
I’m thinking out loud and Dallas is really the only place it makes sense to me. But I’ll keep thinking.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I think Dallas would value Haywood over McGee
They desperately need a defensive anchor (Nowitzki is not a low post defender… and although Dampier is no slouch, I think Haywood is much better, especially as a help defender)…
So here’s the trade Yop32 suggests, with one minor change:
Arenas + Haywood to Dallas for Josh Howard + Eric Dampier + Rodrigue Beaubois
Advantages for Dallas –
Haywood is a better defender than Dampier (about the same offensively)… and they should be able to resign him for way less than Dampier would make in 2010/2011 ($13 Million).
Shawn Marion can slide right in as the starting SF. Arenas gives Dallas an explosive scorer to play next to Kidd (not to mention another facilitator)….
If I’m Nowitzki, and I see a potential starting line up of Kidd, Arenas, Marion, and Haywood (with Jason Terry and JJ Berea on the Bench) – I’m gonna re-sign with DALLAS….
Advantages for Washington –
They get rid of Arenas’ contract
They don’t take on any big contract past 2011. (Howard’;s deal expires in 2011)
They get a very good young player in Beaubois (excellent man-on-man defender, huge wingspan)
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Right, but Haywood's a free agent in the summer
And Arenas isn’t coming back this year, so there’s no reason for Dallas to trade for him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Perhaps it's the cynic in me....
But if Dallas traded for Arenas, I believe his “indefinite suspension” would be reduced to more like 20-games…. and a $100K fine….. I’m sure Dallas could “negotiate” something with Stern…… same if the Lakers or Cavaliers picked him up…. It’s only because we’re in Washington (or Minnesota, or Seattle, or Charlotte, or Philly, or Memphis) that something like that couldn’t happen …… The “sexy” teams… the ones that make the League lots of money (Like the Lakers, Celtics, Mavs, Knicks, Cavaliers)… they can get things done.
Haywood is a free agent… and Dallas, holding his “Bird” rights would be able to re-sign him (at less than they were paying Dampier)….
Taking my David Stern conspiracy hat off now……
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
The sad thing is
I think if Arenas went public with an honest, personal apology that demonstrated REAL accountability for his actions, understanding of the seriousness, and regret for everyone who he put in a bad/difficult position, I think he’d get off a lot lighter. Think that would be worth a couple of 10 million dollars?
by MR on Jan 15, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Besides
I don’t think Dallas can give up a 1st Round pick… They traded their 2010 first rounder to the Nets – so they cannot trade their 2011 first round pick…..
Unless you were talking about a 2nd round pick…. in which case………….Yuck…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Perhaps the Lakers
If Washington really just wanted to dump Arenas’ salary, and not get anything of value in return, this works:
Arenas + Crittenton + Dominic McGuire to the Lakers for Derek FIsher, Adam Morrison and Sasha Vujacic
This is not as lopsided as the Memphis Pau Gasol trade, but very close….. (Remember, the Lakers don’t have a First round pick this year – so they wouldn’t be able to throw in a pick)…..
Lakers get a PG to play next to Kobe – and I could see them sharing ball handling (ala: Arenas and Hughes). Arenas and Crittenton get to start over (Arenas at home in LA). The Lakers don’t care about money – they make more than any other team in the Association……
Washington sheds $3 Million off their Salary THIS year…. Both Fisher and Morrison’s contracts expire at the end of this year; saving the Wizards about $10 Million next year… and Vujacic expires 2011.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
The only thing I'm not sure about
Is Kobe Bryant…. would he want Arenas on the team? The sullen, driven Bryant; next to the clown Prince?
That might not work….. on the other hand, differences make for an interesting team.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I'm not sure PhilJax will let Fisher go
he’s seen as the linchpin of the team, the one Kobe can talk to.
fisher is an all-time great
underrated player
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 15, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
no chance Dallas does that
Marc Stein covers Dallas, and he says they think Rodrigue Bourbois is their future.
by John Park Williams on Jan 16, 2010 2:48 AM EST up reply actions
the only time ive seen bourbois play extensively was the preseason game versus the Wizards....
…..when he embarrassed Arenas on multiple occasions. I would love a Arenas & McGee for Damp, Bourbois and Carrol’s shitty contract, but its not happening.
I think we need to start accepting that Arenas has as much trade value as Stephon Marbury circa 2006.
by John Park Williams on Jan 16, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
I vote
scorched earth. includes GM, coach and ballboy.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Patching the ship
Isn’t necessarily the option I’d want to take, but here’s a thought on one way to try it, based on Marc Stein’s most recent made-up rumors:
(1) Foye and James (or, to be more specific, their expiring contracts), for Hinrich.
(2) Butler and Oberto for Andre Iguodala.
Both work under the cap. The Bulls are said to be in the market for expirings to help them this summer. The Sixers are said to want to get out from under Iguodala’s contract, and one would expect that Eddie Jordan would like to have Tuff Juice again. T
he rest of this season, the Wiz would have a lineup of:
Hinrich
Miller
Iguodala
Jamison
Haywood
Even with Miller/Jamison still in the lineup, that should be the best defensive team the franchise has fielded in ages.
Of course, the obvious problems include that the cap space of the team is killed far into the future, and both Miller/Haywood are FAs after the season. Still, if the goal is just to compete now, that would be an interesting bunch.
A different way to go the scorched earth route
I don’t want to give Paul Pierce’s comments more credence than might exist, but I also thought that the way the team has handled the Arenas situation makes it less attractive to free agents. If that is the case, I wonder if the team shouldn’t use its expiring contracts to trade for some younger talent that are still under contract for two or three years. They’d still be rebuilding, but I think it’s preferable to having most of the team gone next year but only having one or two free agents take the team’s money, and having to patch the roster with even more Boykins-type guys.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
Cap space
I think cap space is more realistically useful for accepting salary dumps anyway. It seems like all too often teams that clear cap space find that the best players want to stay put, so they end up spending too much money on second or third tier players (as in Detroit this year and the whole Brand-Maggette-Davis debacle of a couple years ago).
Stockpiling young players is tricky stuff. It sometimes seems like identifying young, already-in-the-league talent that has unrealized potential is even more of a crapshoot than the draft. That might be an interesting thing to look at.
Bottom line, though, I do agree with you.
I guess it depends on how "young" is defined
Charlie Villanueva is still pretty young but talented and semi-established, and a deal for Blatche and either Foye’s or Stevenson’s expiring deal would work money-wise. Packaging Butler, Young and Foye could yield Monta Ellis (and either Turiaf or Claxton’s expiring). Luol Deng is still just 24, and a deal straight-up for Jamison works financially. What gave me this idea initially is sending McGuire’s expiring to San Antonio for Malik Hairston, who’s a very good shooter and a good rebounder for an SG, and whose contract runs through next season and could be re-signed pretty cheaply. Oklahoma City has Kyle Weaver and DJ White who would be pretty good role players (Weaver is a solid perimeter defender, White is a big man with a nice midrange shot who also rebounds well), but they don’t get any time there because that team has so many young guys.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
Deng would be kind of interesting as a pseudo-reclamation project.
Hairston is the kind of guy I’d like to see the Wiz try to get if the opportunity arises. I also like Marcus Thornton (NO) and Jeff Teague (ATL) right now. The nice thing about getting a “role player” is that at least you know the guy can definitely do something useful, and then from there maybe he can round out his game some. What’s the deal with DJ White’s status? Why can’t he get on the court in OKC? I’d think he should be very intriguing for a rebuilding team, considering his skill set, college track record, and performance in limited minutes. I’d take him in a heartbeat.
White has had some injuries.
He just had thumb surgery and is out at least six weeks. Last year he had surgery on his jaw. Besides that, though, he’s stuck behind Krstic, Green, Collison, Ibaka and Etan. I still think he can contribute, though, and he’d be a decent fit for Saunders’s offense.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
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