Washington Wizards Waive Al Thornton
by Sean Fagan on Mar 1, 2011 5:26 PM EST
in Rumors
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PrintFrom the press dispatch:
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Al Thornton after coming to an agreement on a contract buyout.
"The additions of Rashard Lewis and Mo Evans combined with Josh Howard’s return from injury gave us a logjam at the small forward spot," said Grunfeld. "Coming to terms on a contract buyout with Al was mutually beneficial, as it allows us to clear space in the rotation and allows him the chance to pursue an opportunity with another team."
Thornton was originally acquired from the L.A. Clippers in a three-team, six-player deal on February 17, 2010. He appeared 49 games for the Wizards this season, averaging 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.
I liked Al as an interview but he was pretty much a square peg in a round hole all season. He didn't have enough of a jumpshot to make sense in Flip's system and basically his performance crashed after the abdominal injury.
UPDATE: Thornton will head to the Golden State Warriors in 48 hours once he clears waivers, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Michael Lee reports that Thornton was unhappy in D.C.
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mashed potatoes
looks of amdecent defender, but fouled too much. looks of a decent bench scorer, but took too many off balance jumpers. he has a place in the back of someone’s rotation, somewhere.
Kinda suprised they made that move
Especially since Evans and Howard’s contracts expire after this year and Thornton was still on board for another year. There are a ton of forwards that should be available in the draft…not sure if that was the intent.
He was a restricted free agent
Meaning they had to pick up a $3.9 million qualifying offer to have a chance to give him a long-term deal. They probably felt (and I agree) that $3.9 million is too much for him.
It also means he freed up $3.9 Million in cap space for next year....
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Sort of, not really
The qualifying offer wasn’t listed on the Wizards’ cap unless they picked it up.
The QA is used as a cap hold.....until the player is signed or renounced
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Now that I think about it, the stats that Al was putting up can probably be replicated by Evans who will probably command a lower salary.
by TheRealBigMike on Mar 1, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
Al seemed like a good dude
Just had no minutes for him here. That does not bode too well for him, however, if he can’t get minutes on one of the worst teams in the league.
Glad we bought him out
rather than watch him hit the market as a renounced RFA off a lottery team
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Mar 1, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I wanted to be a big AL fan cuz he tried hard
There just wasn’t much to get behind unfortunately.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
Al works really hard
so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a few more shots. He is a classic tweener, who is always going to get another look based on his athleticism and his willingness to guard another team’s best player man to man. The problem is that he has never gained any measure of accuracy on his jumpshot which doomed him in Flip’s system.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
I always think GS is the perfect place for our rejects.
by MR on Mar 2, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
So true
I see GS as similar to the up-and-coming Wiz teams when Gil was taking over.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 2, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
Golden State needs a steady stream of mini Corey Maggettes.
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
I really hope all of this financial house cleaning is leading up to something
Not sure if the Wiz are planning to hit the FA market this summer, but didn’t see too many names that really stand out.
Not to mention the names that did stand out have already been traded and will probably resign with their new team.
by TheRealBigMike on Mar 1, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
Even if we don’t actively seek to spend the cap space, it leaves us the ability to seize on opportunities when they arise, for instance the Erden+Harangody for a 2nd-pick trade.
I think both those guys suck
I think a better hope is how cap space allowed OKC to give the extension to Perkins that the Celtics couldn’t under the current CBA.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Corey Brewer
This is sort of a strange seeing that the wizards would waive Al Thornton now…But does this happen now because of Corey Brewer being released from the NYK? As I read about the NYK cutting Brewer I looked at the roster and thought who could Washington waive to pick him up (no lie the first person that came to mind was thronton), Yi and Howard I thought since they are on expiring contracts but Howard has played very well and serves as a good mentor and Yi still has shown too many glimpses of being a better future player than Al. So in conclusion, is this why Washingon waived Al to go after Brewer
I wish we could get Brewer
But every report I have seen says he is looking only at contenders and there are several interested in him.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
One of if not the best perimeter defender in the league
Doesn’t take bad shots, moves the ball, always communicating on D, first to help his teammates up or congratulate them on a good play.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
Well pretty much every advanced defensive metric measures out real well for him, Brah!
But I’m sure you’ve got excellent stats proving he doesn’t communicate on D.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
I don't see him being "the best perimeter defender in the league".
Besides, he takes a lot more off the table than he brings.
Yeah, not while Tony Allen is playing
That guy should actually have some support for DPOY. Only guy I’ve seen truly lock down everyone from Kobe to Lebron, even though he’s like 6’4 and smaller guys always get killed by the Mamba.
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by pantslessyoda1 on Mar 1, 2011 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Brewer is one of those players whose true value
was obscured by being on a crappy team. As a starter, no Brewer isn’t any great shakes. But as a defender 8th man he makes a really nice piece. Plus, the defensive metrics back BAB up on this one.
He would be a luxury on the Wizards, but he is a very smart pickup for a contender.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
I think it will play out like this....
He goes to a contender…… continues to make life hell for the league’s top scorers……announcers slobber over his old school game and mentality…..He rides that hype into the offseason and gets a multi-year deal…..That teams fans eventually get pissed they are paying Brewer 4-5M a year.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
What were you citing?
Butt slaps per game?
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 1, 2011 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
No, but you said he sucks
I’m just pointing out that defensive metrics demonstrate that he doesn’t suck. I don’t think he is of value to the Wizards, but you can;t ignore his contributions.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
You're reading Henry Abbott.
I’m a Minnesota fan. Corey is a quirky take on a commodity part: the defensive wing whose offensive game is a big ol’ negative. He’s a great kid, but what’s going to happen here is that he’ll sign a vet’s minimum sort of contract with a contender. (Note: Dallas has the full MLE right now, still, and they’re seemingly not outbidding Boston on Corey. They’re considering signing Sasha Pavlovic instead.)
Commodity part.
The wrinkle is that Corey has only the one speed, and he’s always putting out huge effort, so that his damning inconsistency on both sides of the ball is less apparent to the eye. The effort’s consistent, right? And he’s a highlight sort of a player on both ends – the kid will dunk over people in spectacular fashion.
He will also do what he did in the final game of his rookie year. The Wolves had a fast break with Corey out front to win the game. Corey missed the completely open dunk. Happily he was so alone that he neatly collected the offensive board. He promptly missed the layup.
As for “doesn’t take bad shots,” well, I’m not aware that there are any particularly good shots for Corey. The entirely of last year, Brewer was left open as often as opposing teams could possibly manage it, and he took those “good shots.” The Wolves were losing by 20 in those games, so teams kept right on doing it. The “Leave Corey Open” defense worked like a charm. Any attempt to describe Corey Brewer as “efficient,” which Henry Abbott did in his article, is badly wrongheaded. Like I said, Dallas has more money than anyone and is run by stats wonk Mark Cuban, but seems to be indifferent to Corey-vs-Sasha.
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
I get it, but I really liked him.
He always played hard and brought it when he was on the court. His jumper also seemed much improved (at least at the beginning of the season when he was getting minutes) from last year.
Best of luck, Al.
i second this
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
" My psychiatrist just doesn't know what I go through. He is a Lakers fan" Hambonejackson
by Dutch Hoopfan on Mar 2, 2011 5:13 AM EST up reply actions
It's funny that we are about to play him tomorrow also.
TNT should've treated Lebron's return to Cleveland game like 2k11 and cut the game off after the Cavs were down by 30. lol
He can't play for them tomorrow
He has to clear waivers first.
I don't know what I would do if we lost
I’d be so…shocked and hurt.
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by pantslessyoda1 on Mar 1, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
You know.
Double Blatche on the perimeter…they ALWAYS pass it to him.
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Mar 2, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
Teams need every possible edge to beat the Wiz. Thats why the team gave Thorton away. I think the Wiz should give their next opponent McGee
by hambonejackson on Mar 2, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, I didn't think we would even do this
but I literally told someone the other day that I wish we could just waive Thornton, Yi, and Blatche. It definitely made sense for us and I do wish Al the best. I liked him as a person, but he really didn’t fit here and didn’t bring anything extra to the table.
Waive Blatche?
I think he has a little trade value.
The not happy comment doesn't surprise me at all
When asked about if he was frustrated with his minutes he responded “you can say that, you could say that.”
Also, he was a player who had gone on record as saying that he preferred to start. I think was probably the best way forward.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Kevin Seraphin
Is just happy to be in the US
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Mar 2, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Was he waived, or was he bought out?
If he was bought out, why would he have to clear waivers? He would no longer have a contract that could be picked up.
I don't understand
My understand of waivers is that another team is given the chance to pick up a guy’s contract.
If the Wizards agree to pay him 95% of his remaining contract, what would another team be “picking up” if it picked him up on waivers? The obligation to pay that 95% instead of the Wizards? To pay that 95% in addition to the Wizards paying that 95%? To pay the full 100% in addition to the 95% the Wizards paid?
Player and team agree to a buy out...
Player is placed on waivers…
IF the player “clears” waivers – he collects his buy out amount from his old team – and is free to negotiate with any other team he wants…
IF a team claims him off waivers – the buy out is negated – and the claiming team then pays the full remainder of the players salary. The player then counts on his new team’s cap number.
Normally teams don’t claim players off waivers – because it’s much cheaper to wait until they clear – and then they can negotiate a lower salary (league minimum, usually)
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
a surprise to me
Frankly, I don’t care that much. But I personally would’ve rather bought out Lewis. I guess that would cost too much. Either way, it was obvious Thornton never carved out a role in this team.
PLEASE let Blatche be next.
by CJHutch on Mar 1, 2011 6:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'll miss Al
When it comes right down to it, he was one of my favorite players on that team. He brought an intensity and aggressiveness that we need more from our team as a whole. Plus he had that awesome dunk.
Part of Pech's Posse since 2007.
by OleksiyPecherovsHomeboy on Mar 1, 2011 7:13 PM EST reply actions
Thornton Dunk
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Df3aLNJybZ-U%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&feature=player_embedded&v=f3aLNJybZ-U&gl=US
by Perm on Mar 1, 2011 8:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He played well and played hard at the beginning of the year
He was never the same after that injury. I wish him the best of luck.
I prefer Al to Lewis
But I guess it isn’t a choice. Still, his youth should have helped me last over another.
Skins rule
so for kicks and to prove that EG sucks…a year ago we cleared our roster. one year later what do we have to show for it? … ONE YEAR MIND YOU
Butler, Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas for Josh Howard and Drew Gooden. Mavericks reserves Quinton Ross and James Singleton were added to the deal Saturday and are also Washington-bound, with Dallas receiving cash considerations in addition to the three players.
also, Wizards receive: Zydrunas Ilgauskas , Al Thorton, and Cavaliers 1st round pick for jamison and gooden
net net…we trade butler, jamison, haywood, stevenson, gooden. a year later we have howard in the final year of his contract and used the #35 pick to trade up four spots for a guy who probably would have fallen there any ways. or a similar talent!
and you wonder why the wizzards perenially suck and we have no hope unless we get 4-5 top five picks?
by les boulez bomber on Mar 1, 2011 9:16 PM EST reply actions
The only thing I'll miss about Al Thornton was hearing Al Green whenever he scored
As soon as he got hit by that car in the preseason, you just knew his career with the Wizards was doomed.
I'm just curious, is anyone happy in DC?
It seems like everyone’s saying the same things – guys don’t hustle, no teamwork – but Wall, Booker, and Seraphin seem to be the only guys doing those things, even though they’ve been pretty quiet about their feelings about the team.
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quantity discount
Maybe we could buy out our entire team(except a few)
for a reduced rate.
Al wasn't a starter for us
and it’s a minor point, but we gain respect in the L if we become known for sending players to a good situation, or honor their requests that they be released. We don’t have to do it. It says, we’re a pro-player team. Could add to our attractiveness if we’re not associated with the worst…like the Clippers.
by Tbonebullets on Mar 2, 2011 1:00 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Wish Al luck...
Golden State might be a good fit… The guy worked hard here and deserves a decent shot. But the buyout is a good thing for the team.
I don't know if Thornton will necessarily get a lot of minutes in Oakland.
Reggie Williams (nice pickup for them as an undrafted player from VMI) and Dorrell Wright also play the 3. Louis Admundson and of course David Lee play the 4, which Thornton could do if the Warriors decide to go small and slide Lee to center.
What nobody seems to be asking
Why didn’t we trade him at the deadline for….i dunno, SOMETHING!.
I agree its a good thing in terms of cap relieve next yr and more PT for others this yr but come on, a trade for a second rounder would have at least been something.
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
" My psychiatrist just doesn't know what I go through. He is a Lakers fan" Hambonejackson
EG did say they were working on some things but they didn't work out
My guess is this was one of them.
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