FanPost

It is time for the Wizards to tank the 2015-16 season and rebuild again

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

When I watch the Wizards, they look defeated before the game begins.

They look like a team that only has nine guys ready to play on any given night. Those nine guys don't have the talent to play with most NBA teams, and they know it.

When they fall behind by double digits (as they do in most games), they get up for one charge. After, the other teams keep attacking, and the crestfallen Wizards look like they've been punched in the mouth. Their heads and shoulders begin to droop, and they repeatedly fall back behind by double digits.

They lose the final three minutes of every quarter. The bench is dead except with lifeless faces on everyone except the team's $4 million cheerleader, Alan Anderson. The assistant coaches appear to be updating their resumes, and the head coach looks for nobody that can stay healthy and make this situation better. It appears that Randy Wittman has lost this team.

With only five players with guaranteed contracts for next year (John Wall, Marcin Gortat, Otto Porter, Kris Humphries, and Kelly Oubre) at a cap hit of just over a $40 million combined, it is no secret that Ernie Grunfeld has to rebuild this entire team.

It is hard to argue that this group of players can make the playoffs in a much improved Eastern Conference, let alone win a playoff series or two. I have witnessed enough blowout losses at home to understand that we do not have the players, health, or chemistry to make this season a success.

Let's face it. They are 0-4 vs. the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. They can't play the Orlando Magic every night. The road wins and the Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs home victory have been highlights, but these are few and far between.

And most of these upside games are not happening at home where the Wizards are 10-14 with the victories coming against teams they should beat. Playing poorly in front of the quieter and quieter home crowd is not good, and Monumental Sports must understand that attendance for the remainder of the season will continue to wane.

So where do the Wizards go from here? Should they tank? At this point, it appears that Ted is going to let Ernie be the architect for 2016/2017 for the basis of the team that will be put together for the next three years of John Wall's contract.

Coach and Player ratings

For this article, I did NOT delve into the GM. Let's look at the head coach and each of the current players to see if they can contribute to making this team a success (capable of reaching the second round of the playoffs) and what they can personal gain can be achieved.

Note that all statements are the opinion of the writer. I listed the players in order of 2015/2016 salary:

Randy Wittman: With Wittman it is one question: Do the Wizards fire him or not?

At this point and with a new team coming, Randy's time has come. Yes to all things pro about Randy. He was the right coach at the right time for the transition from the Gilbert Arenas era to the John Wall era. But his time has come. He is not the man for today's NBA to start a new scheme with at least eight if not ten new players in 2016/2017.

It is inevitable and it is time. Get it over with and find the coach that will be counted on to wow free agents into coming here. Begin the process. Continue to go after the playoffs and move forward to tomorrow today.

1. John Wall ($14,728,844): Under contract for 3 more seasons after this year ($50M). Wall has been inconsistent and overworked this year trying to carry the team, and he is worn down. Best thing is getting him working with the guys who will be here next year.

The next three weeks will fully determine if this team has a chance at getting a spot in the playoffs. The time is coming for the franchise to think about the next three years over the next three months. Start resting Wall, maybe after the All-Star break. He can still rack up double/doubles for stats and headlines and come back next year fresher and ready to return to All-Star form. Why risk injury to JW this year with this group of players? (Rating: Contributor)

2. Nene' ($13M): Free Agent at the end of the season. Nene' is what Nene' is. Use him as much as you can this year given his limited minutes. He is a big body that should be ridden into the ground at this point. He needs to showcase what he has left to try to get one last NBA contract, if that is his interest.

Re-signing him is off the table unless the dollars are based on a play per game basis and his injuries factored in. Nene' did a lot of good things during his time in D.C. Even a broken down hobbled Nene' is a powerful weapon if the deal is right and he is used in the right matchups. Come April, it is a safe bet that the Wizards and Nene' will part ways. A big body will be needed to fill this void. (Rating: Contributor)

3. Marcin Gortat ($11,217,391): Under contract for three more seasons after this year ($38M). See same comments about John Wall. Except return to All-Star form, which Gortat is far from. Gortat needs to step up his game. His shortcomings have outweighed his strengths this season as the East teams got bigger and stronger.

The Hammer will be in D.C. for 2016/2017 and is factored in the near term. A trade is always possible as his contract is viewed workable especially by tomorrow's NBA contract standards. (Rating: Contributor)

4. Bradley Beal ($5,694,673): Qualifying Offer of $7.4M for 2016/2017. Beal has huge upside but the fact is he cannot stay on the court and as such is inconsistent and cannot be counted on. When he is on his skills are tremendous at both ends of the court.

But during his time in D.C., he has worn a suit more than a uniform a bit more often than we would have liked. Chemistry is always an issue with him in and out of the lineup. Ernie and the franchise have a big decision to make here. Keeping him and signing him to a long deal is extremely risky. Beal needs to get on the court and perform. But can he? (Rating: Unknown)

5. Otto Porter ($4,662,960): Under contract for one more season ($5.9M) with a qualifying offer the following season ($7.7M). Porter continues to grow and develop however he is often undersized against the majority of the teams. His outside shooting must improve for him to become worthy of his high draft. Continue to play him as much as possible so he can gain experience. (Rating: Contributor)

6. Kris Humphries ($4.44M): Under contract for one more season ($4.63M) Humphries is such a disappointment. Just when you think he can help, he gets injured. He has been injury marred since arriving in D.C. Humphries is a solid player when he is in the lineup, but he is unreliable when put in a major role.

The Wizards should shut Humphries down and play him sparingly for the remainder of this year in an effort to get healthy and see if he is able to contribute next year as a second teamer. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

7. Jared Dudley ($4.25M): Free Agent. He is slow and always mismatched and there is no way he should be back in DC next year. Thank you and good bye. That being said, somebody has to play minutes for this team this year. Wizards are stuck with Jared and he has to be part of the rotation. Play him as much as needed to finish the season. Let him get minutes so he can show case himself for another team. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

8. Alan Anderson ($4M): Free Agent. He reminds me of former Bullet great, Lorenzo Williams. No one has worn a suit like the forementioned cheerleader, Alan Anderson. Get rid of him as soon as possible. In the meantime, force him to put on a uniform and earn some of that money he has been paid. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

9. Drew Gooden ($3.3M): Team Option for $3.5M in 2016/2017. Like Randy, Drew's time has come in DC. Time to let this ship sail over the horizon. His body betrayed him this year and he cannot be counted on to achieve success. The deal that was signed had an out in the event this year happened, and it did. Thank you Drew, but it is time to move on. Play him as much as needed and let him showcase his skills. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

10. Ramon Sessions ($2.17M): Free Agent. Ramon, Ramon, Ramon where did you go?

He finished 2014-155 season strong and started this season strong. But as of late, his game has been hard to watch.

He seldom makes a layup and his foul shooting lacking, it is clear to see why he has a reputation for not finishing. A decision is needed here. Give Sessions plenty of minutes and see if he can make it on the roster next year. His play won't get the Wizards to the playoffs, but he has earned the opportunity to play for a spot for next season. (Rating: Can contribute but in minor role)

11. Gary Neal ($2.1M): Free Agent. One and done. Neal has not lived up to his reputation for nailing 3 pointers and his defense is awful. Going to have to play him with Beal's injuries and minutes restriction. April can't come quick enough. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

12. DeJuan Blair ($2M): Team Option for $2M in 2016/2017. Why not play him? See if he is worth that $2M to be a practice dummy for next year. (Rating: Cannot Contribute)

13. Kelly Oubre Jr. (1.9M): Under Contract for one season ($2M), Team Options for two seasons ($5.2M), Qualifying Offer for 1 season ($4.4M).

PLAY HIM. PLAY HIM. PLAY HIM. Yes, there will be rookie mistakes. Yes, there will be mismatches. Yes, at times it will be painful. But the experience is invaluable. He is the most athletic player on the team. He needs to grow and develop and it is time to take it up a notch with Oubre. What do the Wizards have to lose, more games? (Rating: Time to let him be a Contributor)

14. Garrett Temple ($1.1M): Dollar for Dollar, GT is this year's MVP. Temple has earned a spot for next year and should be given a contract. Play him as much as possible, he has earned his minutes. (Rating: Contributor, but we need to get him back into his role instead of relying on him to be a star).

15. Jarell Eddie ($555,000): Qualifying Offer of $1.1M for next year. Eddie could be a niche star in this league. Hold on to him as the price is right. Bring him back next year and see how his development comes along, especially on defense. Play him as much as possible and see what you've got. (Rating: Too minor a player to be a contributor right now)

TL;dr analysis

Given what the Wizards have for players and contracts, I believe it is time to find a new coach, tank the season and commence development of the younger players. In this manner, we can put the most balls into the lottery hopper and begin planning for great things to come (perhaps Kevin Durant? Or better yet......DeMarcus Cousins?) in 2016/2017 and beyond.

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.