Update: Wizards Keep Jamison, Arenas

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What would you do?

Since GS offered their max for Gilbert (and if they really really want him back), I'd wait till Gilbert signs our max and then offer a S&T for Ellis and Biedrins. I wouldn't do it if I were the Warriors, but hey... no telling how much they want 0 back.

Even before it got this far, my thinking was to scrap it all before it happened. I don't think even a healthy big 3 gets us past the first round in any playoff (even though they're good enough to pull of W's against any team in the regular season).

About a month ago, I proposed a bunch of different scenarios before the draft happened (on a hoops board) that would have netted us the two things I'd rather see the organization have- a pass first, defensive-oriented PG and a low-post, defensive banger to man the 4 spot.

That would have meant letting AJ walk for nothing and making a run at EB post draft (either S&T with the Clips or offering a long-term deal to make his decision to opt out a bit easier... I didn't think he'd opt out this easily and it's a good bet he was in contact with Baron before doing so). How about offering the #18 pick and filler (OPEC?) to Memphis for Lowry? They've got a glut at point, with Conley, Critt, Stoudemire and now Mayo (who may switch between both guard positions as it calls for). Lowry's probably worth more than the 18 on its own, but with the number of teams needing PGs drafting ahead of us and the number of quality PGs in the draft, I don't think they would have had a better deal than ours. While not as good defensively, I also believe Udrih and Calderon are much better fits for an offense like ours (and would have cost much less, thereby giving us the space to grab a big man elsewhere).

With the money you aren't blowing on AJ and Gilbert, the team has flexibility for the future. With these two contracts, I think we're pretty much saddled with this team for the foreseeable future. I'm glad the big 3 have put the Wiz in the playoffs three consecutive seasons, but the East is getting better. Youth, talent and athleticism are permeating through upside teams like the Hawks, Sixers, Bulls, Heat and Magic. I'm not even including the perennial teams, such as the C's and Pistons next season. The Raps now have Bosh and O'Neal in the post (with Calderon probably resigning here, they've got a pretty sick squad). The Bucks have a pretty solid Big 3 of their own now, with Jefferson. Long-term, New Jersey is the team to watch out for in the East. Grabbing YJL and shedding Jefferson's contract is genius... With that excellent draft they just had, plus Devin running point and LeBron moving in within a few years, how can we expect to keep up?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

Since GS offered their max for Gilbert (and if they really really want him back), I'd wait till Gilbert signs our max and then offer a S&T for Ellis and Biedrins. I wouldn't do it if I were the Warriors, but hey... no telling how much they want 0 back.

Even before it got this far, my thinking was to scrap it all before it happened. I don't think even a healthy big 3 gets us past the first round in any playoff (even though they're good enough to pull of W's against any team in the regular season).

About a month ago, I proposed a bunch of different scenarios before the draft happened (on a hoops board) that would have netted us the two things I'd rather see the organization have- a pass first, defensive-oriented PG and a low-post, defensive banger to man the 4 spot.

That would have meant letting AJ walk for nothing and making a run at EB post draft (either S&T with the Clips or offering a long-term deal to make his decision to opt out a bit easier... I didn't think he'd opt out this easily and it's a good bet he was in contact with Baron before doing so). How about offering the #18 pick and filler (OPEC?) to Memphis for Lowry? They've got a glut at point, with Conley, Critt, Stoudemire and now Mayo (who may switch between both guard positions as it calls for). Lowry's probably worth more than the 18 on its own, but with the number of teams needing PGs drafting ahead of us and the number of quality PGs in the draft, I don't think they would have had a better deal than ours. While not as good defensively, I also believe Udrih and Calderon are much better fits for an offense like ours (and would have cost much less, thereby giving us the space to grab a big man elsewhere).

With the money you aren't blowing on AJ and Gilbert, the team has flexibility for the future. With these two contracts, I think we're pretty much saddled with this team for the foreseeable future. I'm glad the big 3 have put the Wiz in the playoffs three consecutive seasons, but the East is getting better. Youth, talent and athleticism are permeating through upside teams like the Hawks, Sixers, Bulls, Heat and Magic. I'm not even including the perennial teams, such as the C's and Pistons next season. The Raps now have Bosh and O'Neal in the post (with Calderon probably resigning here, they've got a pretty sick squad). The Bucks have a pretty solid Big 3 of their own now, with Jefferson. Long-term, New Jersey is the team to watch out for in the East. Grabbing YJL and shedding Jefferson's contract is genius... With that excellent draft they just had, plus Devin running point and LeBron moving in within a few years, how can we expect to keep up?

Good points. This could end up looking great for the Wizards and Arenas. With the Wizards showing their not "cheap" by offering the max and Arenas showing he's not greedy by "settling" for less and then freeing them up to make some other moves. Posey maybe? Or it could totally blow up in their face.

Either way. The Wizards biggest problem is that how they're building the team around the big 3. First and foremost has been their apparent refusal to get a point guard. A true point guard than can lead the offense. They should have kept Steve Blake in my opinion. But even still, I don't know that I'll ever understand taking Pecherov when guys like Rondo, Rodriguez, Williams, and Lowry were still there.

I'm biased but I think they should give Arroyo a look.

Let me ask you this, do you take an "Eramus James" on Shaun Livingston?

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Good points. This could end up looking great for the Wizards and Arenas. With the Wizards showing their not "cheap" by offering the max and Arenas showing he's not greedy by "settling" for less and then freeing them up to make some other moves. Posey maybe? Or it could totally blow up in their face.

Either way. The Wizards biggest problem is that how they're building the team around the big 3. First and foremost has been their apparent refusal to get a point guard. A true point guard than can lead the offense. They should have kept Steve Blake in my opinion. But even still, I don't know that I'll ever understand taking Pecherov when guys like Rondo, Rodriguez, Williams, and Lowry were still there.

I'm biased but I think they should give Arroyo a look.

Let me ask you this, do you take an "Eramus James" on Shaun Livingston?

I can only hope your first paragraph comes true. Knowing the quirkiness of Gil, they probably offered him the max hoping it was just a sign of gratitude that he would kindly reject. Seeing these vets take less to win a ring seems to rub off on some of the opting out lately and we can only hope Gil sees the same thing.

I totally agree with you re: Blake. He was solid for Portland last season- excellent A:TO ratio and that's all you can really ask for in a PG. Arroyo ain't a bad option. The names you listed that we passed on for OPEC make me wince.

I loved Livingston out of high school- thought he'd change the game at his position. If we're offering Erasmus James money, I'd take a flyer... but that last knee injury looked career-ending.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

I can only hope your first paragraph comes true. Knowing the quirkiness of Gil, they probably offered him the max hoping it was just a sign of gratitude that he would kindly reject. Seeing these vets take less to win a ring seems to rub off on some of the opting out lately and we can only hope Gil sees the same thing.

I totally agree with you re: Blake. He was solid for Portland last season- excellent A:TO ratio and that's all you can really ask for in a PG. Arroyo ain't a bad option. The names you listed that we passed on for OPEC make me wince.

I loved Livingston out of high school- thought he'd change the game at his position. If we're offering Erasmus James money, I'd take a flyer... but that last knee injury looked career-ending.

I like that Jonathan Wallace has been invited to summer league play...but he may not be quick enough to play in the NBA.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I like that Jonathan Wallace has been invited to summer league play...but he may not be quick enough to play in the NBA.

The guy was the epitome of a heady player at point... I thought he was going to G-town law? I guess it's a good backup plan if things don't work out in summer league.

Well, it looks like Gil is signing for 16 million less. He did concede a bit, but I would have liked to have seen it around 105 total. I know the salary structures are different for the two players, but his contract is worth more per year than Chris Paul's new extension.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

The guy was the epitome of a heady player at point... I thought he was going to G-town law? I guess it's a good backup plan if things don't work out in summer league.

Well, it looks like Gil is signing for 16 million less. He did concede a bit, but I would have liked to have seen it around 105 total. I know the salary structures are different for the two players, but his contract is worth more per year than Chris Paul's new extension.

I think he is deferring law school for a year, or at least he has the right to.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

The guy was the epitome of a heady player at point... I thought he was going to G-town law? I guess it's a good backup plan if things don't work out in summer league.

Well, it looks like Gil is signing for 16 million less. He did concede a bit, but I would have liked to have seen it around 105 total. I know the salary structures are different for the two players, but his contract is worth more per year than Chris Paul's new extension.

How generous of him.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

I can only hope your first paragraph comes true. Knowing the quirkiness of Gil, they probably offered him the max hoping it was just a sign of gratitude that he would kindly reject. Seeing these vets take less to win a ring seems to rub off on some of the opting out lately and we can only hope Gil sees the same thing.

Well there you go

[SmootSmack]

What might be interesting is going after JC Navarro. He's a restricted free agent I believe. Without Pau, why would he want to stay in Memphis?

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Good points. This could end up looking great for the Wizards and Arenas. With the Wizards showing their not "cheap" by offering the max and Arenas showing he's not greedy by "settling" for less and then freeing them up to make some other moves. Posey maybe? Or it could totally blow up in their face.

Either way. The Wizards biggest problem is that how they're building the team around the big 3. First and foremost has been their apparent refusal to get a point guard. A true point guard than can lead the offense. They should have kept Steve Blake in my opinion. But even still, I don't know that I'll ever understand taking Pecherov when guys like Rondo, Rodriguez, Williams, and Lowry were still there.

I'm biased but I think they should give Arroyo a look.

Let me ask you this, do you take an "Eramus James" on Shaun Livingston?

Blake would be good here but they should've kept Larry Hughes. True, his career has gone down the toilet since he left, but when he was in Washington, he and Gilbert were a GREAT combo.

I'm glad the team let Cleveland overpay for him though, or Caron may not be on the team (financially it would be tough to have the "Big 4").