FanPost

Opposite view: Trading Wall and McGee

FIrst off, Happy New Years everyone!

Second, I'm going to preface this post with a bit of background to show I'm not crazy. I've been following the Wiz/Bullets since as long as I could remember, which includes the Jeff Ruland era and then the two Malone's era. I'm tired of losing, tired of rebuilding, tired of crappy rosters. The one good team we had in the 90s we promptly disbanded, and the Big 3 was never getting out of the 2nd round, so not much excitement there about any realistic chance of playing for a title.

Third, this is all armchair GM wishing and theorizing, so take it with a grain of salt. That said, here's my starting premise: the Eastern conference is weak when it comes to centers and PFs. I want to win NOW. Screw a rebuild. So let's use our two best assets and make a trade that lands us front court power to replace the black hole we have now. My dream: trading Wall and McGee to the Lakers for Bynum and Gasol, and throw in whatever other salaries and draft picks needed to make it work.

Updside for both clubs:

Lakes--Kobe gets his superstar (in the making, but not so far this season) guard he's never had. He also gets a young center who can run. Wall and McGee get a coach who will coach them, and Kobe who will challenge them and ride them and force them to get better. Plus, the lights of LA will inspire them to reach new professional heights.

Wizards--two players who can immediately dominate down low and win us games in a weak Eastern conference. For me, it all hinges on the health of Bynum--if healthy, he's the best center in the league. He is to me a young Shaq, with more focus. He's a physical beast, has a post game, boards, plays D, and is hungry. Plus, he's got 10 more years of dominance (if healthy). I'd take his updside over John Wall's upside. Gasol is solid--boards, passes, shoots, inside and outside game. I'd take him over most every other PF out there, esp. the ones on our roster. He's still good for 5 seasons. They both bring playoff experience, would push our young players, and provide an immediate 30 or so victories. Mack is serviceable as a guard, and we sign a free agent PG in the future. Plus, Flip might actually be able to coach them.

If we're talking about who is our core during the rebuild going forward, I'd take Gasol and Bynum and their track record and future (esp. Bynum) over Wall and McGee. I'm not attached to Wall and McGee and a patient rebuild, given the last 30 years of being a fan of this organization. I'd rather turn them into players that will win now, win battles in the post, and win for the next few years. Lastly, if we have any realistic shot of advancing in the playoffs over the next five years, we will have to deal with the Heat. Bynum and Gasol vs. Wall and McGee I think are a better match up with the Heat.

So, my dream for 2012--getting real bigs who will help us win games, and this is a way to do it (in my own little world). Now have at me...

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.