Countdown to the NBA Draft Lottery, question No. 6. T minus 14 days.

by Bullet Nation in Exile on May 3, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in Draft

We've taken a long looks at the Wizards' first round targets, glossing over the very decent selection they'll have in the second round. With a number of likely targets opting out, there's a good chance the Wizards will draft need over best player available. Assuming they don't trade the pick away, it's likely the Wizards will end up drafting a SF and PF somewhere in the first round. There's plenty of youth at the other positions, and question marks as well. The possibility of a lockout adds some confusion here. A lot depends on the organization's plans regarding Nick Young.

One could argue that in the event the Wizards hold onto Sushi, together with John Wall and Jordan Crawford, Mustafa Shakur can hold down the end of the rotation. By the same token, with Andray Blatche, Trevor Booker, Javale McGee, Kevin Seraphin, and Hamady N'Diaye in the front court, they could let things ride there. Well, the Wizards going to draft somewhere, and it looks to be backup PG or C prospect. Make your argument either way.

Value's been had by drafting BPA in the high second, but personally, I'm all for drafting need. The Wizards need rebounding like Boston needs size. At least we don't have to worry about Ernie Grunfeld trading three big guys away for Jeff Green and a second rounder ... and if the guy can shoot, so much the better.

Poll

What should the Wizards do with their second round pick? If you want to make an argument for another position, let me hear it.

Point guard!

133 votes

Center!

186 votes

319 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 34 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

how about just take the best player available?

its not like this team has studs up and down the roster.

by Staybon on May 3, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

You can never have enough big bodies.

Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.

Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.

by returnofswagger on May 3, 2011 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

agreed

you gotta grab more big physical bodies to help on the blocks!

by Big Spoon on May 3, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

BPA

Looks like there are a glut of combo guards falling into that range. Malcolm Lee, Sheldon Mack, E’tuan Moore, etc. We’re better off with a Hinrich-lite veteran backup that can start some if JWall can’t. We can always use more athleticism defending on the wing. In that regard it depends on what they plan to do with Mo Evans. Is he open to coming back or will he make a b-line to a contender?

I’m not against a draft and stash either. Nikola Mirotic would be a 1st rounder if he hadn’t signed an extension. I expect him to go very early in the 2nd.

If they don’t have a good feeling about NY then that would be where we look for a 2.

by Jheiser3 on May 3, 2011 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

Big man

You can’t teach tall. And bigs who show some promise are better trade chips than combo guards who show some promise

by sierradave on May 3, 2011 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

If he pan’s out (marc gasol, blatche) you’ll have a great asset. If not, no worries. Guards, Wingmen etc. are to be found at all times

"I'll be lounging on the couch, just chillin in my snuggie, klick to MTV so they can teach my how to douggie" (Buno Mars, The lazy song)

by Dutch Hoopfan on May 3, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

could use a pure spot up shooter too.

by Staybon on May 3, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't bother with a center

The decent ones almost always go in the top few picks or at least the top twenty for Hibbert-caliber players. I say take the best player available, ideally someone who’s not a natural power forward.

Follow me on twitter -
http://twitter.com/TheRealTPruitt

by pantslessyoda1 on May 3, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

Agree with this

You’re more likely to snag a good PG at 35 than a decent big man. There are several decent backup point guards in the league that were drafted late first or early 2nd round.

However, if the 2011 version of Blair falls to us, let’s take him this time.

"Be patient or be a Heat fan" - MR

by steadyhand on May 3, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I am fine with BPA, but Shakur is not the answer

He was here before Othyus and Owens…and still didn’t really show signs. I would prefer a younger project, although I appreciate what Shakur did this year.

by DavidDunn on May 3, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

We don't really need a project tho

Wall is our starting PG and Crawford is our project combo guard who spells him.

What we need is backup in street clothes who suits up in case of injury. I’d prefer a veteran to fulfill this role but a second rounder would be fine by me.

"I'll be lounging on the couch, just chillin in my snuggie, klick to MTV so they can teach my how to douggie" (Buno Mars, The lazy song)

by Dutch Hoopfan on May 3, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh and off topic

The Wizards released a uniform hint to people on their email list yesterday.

The header was all red (Caps shade) and had three white stars in the bottom left corner.

Based on this, I am now going to predict on record…

Red based uniform, blue lettering with white outlines, white stars emphasized, and a de-emphasized logo.

We will see next week.

by DavidDunn on May 3, 2011 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

this would be perfect

http://www.yurasko.net/wfy/2011/04/how-id-redesign-the-washington-wizards-uniforms-logo.html

shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head

by ThaCaronic on May 3, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

that would be terrific

shame that dude came up with it rather than someone in the wizard’s FO

by DCrez on May 3, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice concept

I’d like the number fonts to be a bit more modern looking though.

by thewiz06 on May 3, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

That's nice!!

I like how the D.C. flag is combined into it. Beautiful.

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

by Krobify on May 3, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Going tot he open house next week?

by thewiz06 on May 3, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Iman Shumpert might be a good choice if we go point guard

I think Rook will back me up on this one, since Shumpert’s known as one of this draft’s best defensive players, and his experience playing off the ball could be an asset. His struggles as a play-maker are a little troubling, but every player in the second round is going to have some sort of problem with their game, and playmaking ability is certainly not an area of need at point guard for the Wizards.

From the District of Columbia, home of the hyperbolic paraboloid transitional floating zone defense.

by mr. 91 on May 3, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah - I like Shumpert...

He’s not much of a distributor (4.3 Assists per 40 pace adjusted) – and more of a scorer (20.7 points per 40 pace adjusted).. and he’s not much of a 3-point shooter either. …..so he’s more a Shooting Guard (with limited range) than a Point Guard; and you know my aversion to short shooting guards

ALSO – The Wizards already have a 6’4" combo guard on the roster in Crawford… and at least offensively, I don’t see anything Shumpert brings that Crawford can’t already provide.

He's "delightfully cranky"

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on May 3, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

SUPPOSED to read -

Yeah – I like Shumpert….. BUT

He's "delightfully cranky"

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on May 3, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

So many ifs

Wall, Crawford, Lewis, Booker, Blatche, McGee, Seraphin = 7 guys under contract

The Wizards have 6 Restricted Free Agents (Yi Jianlian, Nick Young, Ndiaye, Shakur, Jeffers, and Owens). My assumption is that the Wizards will sign Nick Young. I also think that Othyus Jeffers, based on his extraordinary effort and work last year, will have a very good chance to be resigned. Besides, he’s cheap ($1 Million). I don’t think the Wizards have given up on Ndiaye yet, and he’ll come back, because, well…. he’s also cheap ($1 Million).

Bye Bye to Yi, Shakur and Owens

That’s 10 roster spots… Add the two first round draft picks, and that gets you to 12.

You have to believe that the Wizards will bring back a veteran Free Agent – if nothing else for the leadership. So, given that Josh Howard has been injured so much – I think it will be Maurice Evans… And that makes 13 roster spots filled.

I’m convinced the Wizards will go into next year with 13 roster spots…. with a team salary between $55-$56 Million. Flexibility and room to make deals, take on contracts, do BOYD trades, etc…

With that second round pick, the Wizards could either trade into the first round next year… ie: trade with a Playoff team … our Second round pick this year + Cash for their first next year.. OR they could draft-and-stash a Euro like Davis Bertans or Jeremy Tyler (Tyler has NBA size, length and athleticism, and has HUGE upside, AS IN All-Star quality talent and physical tools – - – but he’s got maturity and attitude issues. He needs at least a couple more years before he’ll be ready to play in the NBA mentally).

BUT IF – there is really a roster spot available, or if the Wizards want to go into the season with 14 players on the roster…

I like the following players:

Nikola Vucevic, the 6’10" PF/C from USC. Extremely long arms allows him to play bigger than he is. Excellent shooter out to the 3-point line (and beyond). Sets great picks. Very good in pick-and-pop game. Good rebounder. Good fundamentals. Puts forth effort on defense, but can be beat by quicker, more athletic players. I see him as a bigger Darius Songaila type player. (hopefully, in time, with better range than Songaila).

Darius Morris, 6’4" PG from Michigan. Improving shooter. Excellent distributor (8.2 Assists per 40 PA). Has great court vision. Good defender. Excellent size for his position. Good free throw shooter. Needs to improve his 3-point shot. He would make a nice back-up PG for the Wiz. Kid still has a lot of upside, and could become very, very good if he improves his shooting – which as everyone knows, is just a matter of experience, time and practice.

He's "delightfully cranky"

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on May 3, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

I'm still not sold that Yi is gone

I think that the main thing is that the past couple of months are the first time in his career that his true position has been found. His worth is nowhere near his tender price, but if we can sign him long term for a couple mil per season, I’d lock him up. As a PF, I’d pass, but as a skilled center that can stretch the floor, rebound, and play solid defense, he’s a great backup with upside. I think his salary and draft position are less appealing than his actual game. He’s only 22 and has plenty of room to bulk up.

The Wiz would likely see much more return on retaining him than drafting a round 2 big. I do like your idea of 34 plus cash for a 1st in next years draft. I see the appeal of 13 roster spots at 55 mil, but I’d prefer 14 spots at just under 60 mil if it means keeping a 22 year old skilled 7 footer with lots of room to improve.

by gorebd on May 3, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

There's nothing solid about yi's defense.

And he’s not 22. But I do actually agree on your point that a 2nd round big probably won’t provide better.

by jones-y on May 3, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yi is a poor man's Blatche

by DCrez on May 3, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yi is a poor man's Yi

by jones-y on May 3, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

further

what the wiz need in another Big is a guy who can actually push Dray and Mcgee. Personally I would love to get Kurt Thomas in here or even Joe Smiff, but if Kanter is the guy who can come in with a different style of play and up the competitiveness then that’s a good thing even if he never evolves to more than a backup at both spots.

by DCrez on May 3, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yi probably is more skilled and right now better than most of the bigs that would be available in the 2nd round, but that’s right now. We are trying to build for down the road and also trying to change the culture. Bringing in a hard nosed, physical presence to join the group of big men we have probably would pay off down the road – a Jordan Williams, Reggie Johnson, USC PF mentioned above. Soft big men need to be a thing of the past for the Wizards.

by Staybon on May 3, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Would love to grab Vucevic

by DCrez on May 3, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Assuming Yi is gone...

Vucevic brings something to the table that the Wiz don’t already have – a big that can shoot efficiently… Vucevic has a very good mid-range jump shot, and sets great picks (something Blatche and McGee just don’t do)… He’s got the body to bang inside, but he can still go out and hit the 17-footer…

Defensively he would be an upgrade over Yi – Assuming he develops, I see him being able to back-up both Center and PF. He’ll have problems guarding quicker, perimeter oriented big men (KG, Bosh, Nowitzki, etc…) – but he should be a decent defender in the paint…

But I’m not kidding myself – at best, Vucevic is probably a bench big (perhaps second big off the bench) – 8 or 9th man kind of player.

He's "delightfully cranky"

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on May 3, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeffers is a good fit for back-up PG

Anybody behind wall isn’t going to get more than 10 minutes per game. If somebodies playing only 10 minutes a game then it should be an energy guy that doesn’t need time to make an on-court impact. I think Othyus fits that bill quite nicely.

Geting it done.

by Knowledge92 on May 3, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeffers?

Those minutes probably belong to Crawford next year.

by jones-y on May 3, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed - Crawford should be getting all the back-up PG

and all the back-up SG minutes available…

Jeffers should only get 15 minutes a night….. here and there use

I envision Jeffers coming in when Joe Johnson, or Ray Allen is having a good game against the Wiz, and they need someone to come in in the 4th quarter to slow them down…..

I see Jeffers doing what Tony Allen does for Memphis – only with fewer minutes….

He's "delightfully cranky"

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on May 3, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions