ENTER OUR DRAFT CONTEST!
Should the Wizards draft a big man? Or maybe you’ve got a quick guard in mind. Here’s your chance to guess who the Wizards will draft with the 16th pick of the NBA Draft. If you pick correctly, you will qualify to win a signed Antawn Jamison jersey! The contest ends at 5pm on June 28, 2007. The winner will be notified via email on June 29.
Posted: May 24th, 2007 under 2007 NBA Draft, Wizards.
Comments
Comment from wizkid034
Time May 24, 2007 at 5:28 PM
I think the Wiz will go with Tiago Splitter. He is long and can really help defensively and in rebounding. They will draft Splitter, keep him over in Europe for a year and then he will join the club in 2008-2009.
Even though they do not necessarily need a SF, Thaddeus Young from Georgia Tech is intriguing. He is still raw, but has a tremendous upside. I think they look for guard depth in round 2. There are so many guards in this draft it is not even funny.
Comment from Bun91
Time May 24, 2007 at 9:11 PM
I would say the Wizards shoud draft a guard as their 16th pick in the first round. I would say Javaris Crittenton would be a great guard to add to the team. Crittenton is compared to STEVE FRANCIS, and with his good height and athleticism for a guard, Crittenton would be a great player to add to the Wizard’s roster. He has great potential, just like Andray Blatche does. He only at 19 years of age, so he can more experience and become as good as Arenas. So I would say the Wizards should draft Javaris Crittenton in the first round of the draft if he is still available. If he’s been already been drafted by a team, select a player with the ability to play both SG and SF, like Derrick Byars. In the second round of the draft, the Wizards should select a center, one that the Wizards staff would mostly benefit the team.
Comment from WizDom
Time May 24, 2007 at 9:23 PM
I think it’s a SG.. either Nick Young or Rudy Fernandez.
I’ll make my final pick later 
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time May 25, 2007 at 12:06 AM
There are a lot of good guards in this draft. We could probably get a pretty fair one with our second pick. For #16 I’d like to see us get a good center. Last year if he had come out early Aaron Gray, out of Pittsburgh, was projected to be a lottery pick. He stayed in school and had a lesser team around him this year. His numbers dropped, possibly making him a steal at #16? Sean Williams? Hmmm that’s a thought too.
Plus we already drafted supposedly the best guard in Europe, but, it will cost the franchise to buy out his contract. He is going to be old and gray before he sees the NBA. I can’t see us doing that again.
Comment from Anonymous
Time May 25, 2007 at 9:46 AM
This is the worst contest ever put together.
Half of Les Wiz are not under contract and we won’t know who’s staying or going until after July 1st, the first day of free agency. This contest ends June 28, days before.
The winner of the Antawn jersey (if there is one) will be strictly based on luck and nothing else. That is caca in my book.
Another problem with this contest is we have write a name in for the draft pick. We can’t even say the Wizards trade the pick as the answer.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 25, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Sean Williams has *lots* of off-court problems; wouldn’t be a surprise if he wasn’t drafted at all. I certainly don’t see the Wizards taking him.
Thaddeus Young looked great at the Jordan game for high schoolers last year (on youtube), but he’s supposed to have had a disappointing first year at Georgia Tech. He looks like the next Antawn Jamison, but “looks like” and “is” are very different things!
I’m making my final pick later too, like my buddy wizDom ;>
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 25, 2007 at 11:23 AM
TM - I think I have a good idea who you’re picking. 
The consensus so far seems to be that most posters think a guard would be the best pick for the team. I guess we’ll find out in a few weeks.
Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 25, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Hey, I posted a bunch of youtube videos of potential draftees — but… in which item? I don’t remember, and I can’t find them!
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 25, 2007 at 4:52 PM
http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/category/2007-nba-draft/
Specifically, here:
“POST YOUR PRE-DRAFT THOUGHTS”
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 25, 2007 at 4:58 PM
“Anonymous” - I’m sorry you feel the way you do. But random winners are random winners.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 25, 2007 at 5:53 PM
Eric — you mean McRoberts, whom I do think might be a good pick for us. But…
Watching Obierto play for San Antonio makes me think that maybe Splitter would be a better pick. Splitter’s videos make him look pretty good, very active and quite athletic.
If DeShawn goes, we are kind of think at SG, it’s true. And I *would* like us to pick someone who can make the rotation. There are rookies taken after Pecherov still playing even now, even in the finals, and there were a bunch playing in the 2d round of the playoffs. I’ll never understand why we didn’t take Marcus Williams last year, for example.
Ok, enough grumbling. Here’s a question for you, Eric — and for anyone. What do you know about Russell Carter out of Notre Dame? Is he a real prospect? draftexpress.com loves him: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1160 and projects him to us in the 2d round.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 25, 2007 at 6:01 PM
Don’t know much about Carter (or about many of the other draftees, to be honest. but that will all come in due time). I do know that Splitter has dropped out of several past drafts at the last minute, but it looks like this could finally be his time.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 25, 2007 at 6:25 PM
Hope Splitter stays in, even if he doesn’t get to us — it’ll push another player down to where he’d be available.
Comment from crazy_about_wizards
Time May 25, 2007 at 6:48 PM
Gil in his blog talks a bit about the type of person that the wizards need
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 25, 2007 at 7:06 PM
really i could not call it. its very hard to tell who’s is going to be around at 16 so times your like i cant even fathom why that guy did not go number 3 and other times you cant even find what your looking for so i will tell you who i think it is right after they tell me who they got
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 25, 2007 at 9:03 PM
Avis Wyatt is another 2d round type guy. draftexpress and nbadraft.net like him. He’s long and athletic, but raw. Played Division II ball (so did Ben Wallace): http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1259 and http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/aviswyatt.html.
I don’t know what it is, but I always get really interested in the 2d rounders — I think it’s the underdog story thing, the diamond in the rough thing.
It’s for real too. 2 years ago Boston got Ryan Gomes with the pick after Andray — he has been in and out of the starting lineup since game 1 of his rookie year. Last year, Utah got Paul Millsap with the pick just before we got Vereemenko. Millsap was the leading rebounder in college ball his senior year, and he is playing up a storm for Utah.
Comment from edry09
Time May 26, 2007 at 8:46 PM
Can someone explain me what is the problem with the draft of Juan Carlos Navarro???why does he not play for us!?
Comment from neal
Time May 26, 2007 at 10:59 PM
Navarro is under contract in Spain for three years more years, I think (someone tell me if I’m correct). That contract is for multi millions and would have to be bought out. Under NBA rules the Wiz can only contribute $500,000 toward the buying out without it counting against the salary cap (and they are already over the cap). I think he will be about 29 when his contract runs out. I believe he signed an extension to his contract AFTER he was drafted by the Wiz. Then last year he decided he wanted to come here but his team would not release him.
Veremeenko is also under contract (in Russia), but I think he has only one more year on his contract.
Comment from edry09
Time May 27, 2007 at 6:39 AM
OK neal thank you, but i don’t understand why he extended his contract after he was drafted by the Wiz
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 27, 2007 at 1:26 PM
yeah thats a good point we sent him back and he took a huge contract it would seem that he wants to stay over there
Comment from neal
Time May 27, 2007 at 1:57 PM
I suspect at the time he wasn’t sure he could make it in the NBA and he was offered a lot of money to reup in Spain. A couple of years later he changed his mind but he was already under a long contract.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 27, 2007 at 3:33 PM
I’m going with Neal, and add the fact that Navarro didn’t really come into his own until recent years.
Comment from Wizzy
Time May 27, 2007 at 4:49 PM
I think the Wizard should sign Tiago. And trade Etan N Haywood for whatever u get. Get last year pick Pecherov. N try to get back Juan Dixon. We will have more cap if we trade or deal with Antawn. If possible. Make Taylor deal for Dixon.
If we trade or freed Daniels, Booth,Ruff, Etan and Haywood. we save18.5mils.
If we can get we might have G Wallace, Mihm, for FA. We can also leave out Mason, Hall and Hayes. Pick 2 rd for SG position.
Arenas G 6′3″ 12mil
Dixon G 6′3″ 3mil
Stevenson SG 6′5″ 3mil
Mason SG 6′5″ 1mil
Hall GF 6′8″ 1mil
Hayes GF 6′8″ 2mil
Butler GF 6′7″ 8mil
G Wallace SF 6′9″ 6mil
Jamison F 6′9″ ? 16mil
Tiago or Robert PF 6′11″ or 6′10″ 2mil
Blatche FC 6′11″ 1mil
Pecherov FC 6′11″ 2mil
Mihm C 7′ 4.5mil
+ 47th Draft Pick ?? ?’?”
this is for 14 players n its cost 65 mils. Some player’s salary I calculated it as more then what they will get. I think last year we also have about 60+mils on team salary. With about 5 mils more look at what roster we could have. Point me if I’m worng.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 28, 2007 at 1:01 AM
na i think haywood for Zach Randolph would put us in the best spot thats just me i think we do the above trade and see what comes our way in the draft and go from there. but trying to unload all the players your talking about would be one big pain in the butt and AD is a good back up PG i think we should have used AD and Gil and had DE come off the bench
Comment from Wizzy
Time May 28, 2007 at 2:23 AM
1.Z-Bo is a $12mils deal and
2.He is not a center
3.He is only 6′9″ tall.
4.He is 25 yrs old.Here is his stat.
GM played 68 Min 35 TOT 10.1 STL .78 BLK .22 TO3.16 PF 2.71 AST2.2 PPG 23.6
We can get Camby instead of him with may b around 10 mil deal. He is 33 yrs old. Here is his stat.
GM played 70 Min 34 TOT 11.7 STL 1.24 BLK3.30 TO 1.74 PF2.61 AST 3.2 PPG 11.2
i like AD ( around 6mils ) but he is kinda pircey? comparing to Dixon ( around 2.5 mils )or Taylor ( around 1 mils ). Dix can shoot better 3s n 2s. Dix need about 15 to 20 min per game, then you will see how good he is. We can pick SG position at 2nd rd pick. We will have a guy like Dix, G Wallace ( if it possible ), Tiago or Robert, Blatche, Pecherov and +more coming off from the bench. As long as we have the big 3 tiro+DeS in the court the new C will learn quick from them.
one last thing look at how much Dallas, Spurs, Denver and +, look at them how much they spend for last year salary. We need to spend more $ to be a contender or get the right player for cheaps or get a great defensive coach that goes along with Prin Offen.
Comment from edry09
Time May 28, 2007 at 9:38 PM
Wizzy, where is Songaila in all your predictions??
I think wiz need D and points coming from the bench, we don’t necesarly need to spend a lot of money but just make clever deals. Look at a team like the Bulls they are serious contenders and they are under the salary cap!
Despite that I like your idea to sign G-Wallace (a big defender) N Dixon (a good scorer from the bench).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 29, 2007 at 7:59 AM
Is Juan Dixon a free agent?
Antonio is our backup point guard. Juan is *not* a point guard. Taylor is not good enough at this point to be the #2 point guard. Now, it may be that, as much as I like him and as great as he was on our depleted playoff team, Antonio is not the right point guard for our up-tempo team. He definitely has value; it’ll be interesting to see whether a trade develops.
Gerald Wallace is a free agent and a starting SF; we don’t need him, and we can’t afford him anyway.
Zach Randolph is an overrated player by the numbers.
Assuming Songaila and Antawn both stay healthy, we are ok at the 4. We need a 2, a scoring 3 to come off the bench, maybe a backup 1, and a center (but I don’t see how we can get a center).
Comment from neal
Time May 29, 2007 at 8:53 AM
Somebody tell me when draft day is.
Tom, why don’t you like Blatche as a 3?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 29, 2007 at 9:16 AM
I don’t think Dixon is an FA.
Draft day is 6/28.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 29, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Neal — I like Andray as *anything.* The kid has so much talent. I didn’t mention him above where I referenced Antawn and Darius at the 4, but surely Blatche, brushing 7 feet as he is, should play the 4 and, if he bulks up over time, the 5 as well.
On the other hand, he has the handle to play 3. I wonder if he has the mid-range jumper, however, or if he is quick enough to guard 3’s in the league (he might be!).
One thing for sure; sign that kid to the longest contract possible and know that he is one of the pieces to build around!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 29, 2007 at 2:56 PM
yeah i thought Randolph was a 5 that’s my mistake in that case we don’t need him i don’t see any way to get a center and i don’t see this going good for us any way we cut it Haywood is a cap killer with little trade possibilities its going to be interesting to see who EG pulls outa his hat
Comment from Wizzy
Time May 29, 2007 at 4:16 PM
1st of all For the Wizards’ Draft picks and any FA sign or Trades, I wish Good Luck. Hope this year EG makes the Best decision for US again.
2,Dixon is not FA but couldn’t they deal it. And there are some PG and SG in FA. I think they might be a good back up for us.
3, Mo William ( Bucks) might be a good back up for PG.
4, Derek Anderson, can shoot 3’s n might b a good SG backup.
5, I think Bleache should played in PF and C.
6, Lets Hayes (if resign) played for SF or may be sign Devean George or Jason Kapono ( Dont know if he going to resign with Heat ).
7, I just can’t stand seeing all the C or PF Etan, Haywood, Booth, Ruffin in Our Uniforms. They all are weak, not aggrasive enough for the game.
TOM.
If Juan is not a PG then what is his possition?
Edry09.
I understand that they are under salary cap. Maybe thats their luck for this year, because they get their for good price. Look at this year how many teams do u think will be under salary cap?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time May 29, 2007 at 9:09 PM
Wizzy - Juan is absolutely an SG. A small one maybe, but DEFINITELY not a point guard.
Comment from neal
Time May 29, 2007 at 10:21 PM
The bottom four teams in salaries last year, according to hoopshype.com:
Wasn’t the cap $52+ million? Correct me if I’m wrong, wizardsdotcom.
Toronto $53.7M
Chicago $53.6M
Atlanta $48.1M
Charlotte $41.3M
I think only Atlanta and Charlotte were under the cap. Someone posted some time ago that only Charlotte and one other team will be under the cap next year.
I think Thomas and Ruffin are plenty aggressive enough. I think Thomas is OK as a back-up center, but he is too often out of position on D and he hasn’t learned to shoot free throws. Ruffin has one talent - to muscle and disrupt the opposition’s center if he gets hot.
I think we’ll be OK at all positions except center, although we could use a good SG. I’m with wizards4life. Our only hope to substantially improve next year is for EG to pull something outa his hat. If he doesn’t get a center it will be very interesting to see who backs up Thomas (I’m presuming Haywood is gone).
Is there any restrictive trade date, as there is in some sports?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 30, 2007 at 11:33 AM
I don’t know how they’re going to get rid of Haywood — remember, someone has to give you a player with an equivalent salary (85% at least). Of course, we’d take less, but we *can’t* take less!
Thomas is too short to play the 5 (6′8″) and not mobile enough to play 4, which is what he was projected as coming into the league. Great guy, hard worker, has lots of serious and important life interests. But… not an NBA center, unfortunately.
Neal — I don’t think we have a reliable 6th man (either 3 or 2), and we lack rebounding at 4. After a recent conversation about the Wiz, I’m starting to wonder if Antonio — a terrific player — is quite the right backup point guard for us. I’m not sure we have the right starting 2 either. And, obviously, we need a center. We also could use some defensive toughness off the bench.
So… I think we need a lot. Don’t see how we can get much of it, either — but, that’s life in the NBA!
Comment from neal
Time May 30, 2007 at 10:26 PM
I’m more optimistic, Tom.
I think EG will trade Haywood for a SG who will compete with Stevenson for minutes. Maybe we’ll also get a throw-in to add up to Haywood’s $5M salary.
I absolutely think Daniels is an excellent backup point guard, until Navarro’s contract runs out after the 2008/2009 season.
I think Thomas is an adequate NBA center, at 6′8″ or 6′9″ or whatever he is. I think his productivity per minute played is comparable to most of the centers in the league. However, if he plays a lot of minutes I’m afraid he’ll again spend part of the year on IR. Which means we need another center ready for the rotation.
Who can give an opinion of who the top centers are (in order) in the draft and who will likely be available by the 16th pick?
I think Chris Mihm is the top available FA center. Can someone refresh me on the “mid-level exception” to the salary cap? Maybe it would be enough for Mihm.
Otherwise, we may end up with Pecherov or Booth backing up Thomas. That’s not a happy thought. (I’m hoping Blatche will be our primary back-up SF).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 31, 2007 at 9:47 AM
neal — hey, I hope we can trade brendan for a 2, but making the salaries add up will be difficult, and is there someone out there who thinks Brendan will shine on his team. Attitude is a factor, and Brendan looks like a real brat. All the same, I do hope so.
Antonio is a *great* backup point guard, a great leader and teammate too. But, is he right *for us?* He probably does have value in a trade. But… I’m not suggesting we get rid of him.
I haven’t looked at Thomas’s numbers vis a vis the rest of the league; I hope you are right. In any case, we agree that we need another center. As of today, both draft express and nbadraf.net project us to wind up with Jason Smith: http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=369 and http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/jasonsmith.html, with Tiago Splitter going either right before our pick or a few picks later.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 31, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Other centers in the draft that we might consider:
Aaron Gray — boom or bust? any ideas
Marc Gasol — yes, he is Pau’s brother. Projected late first or early second round
Kyle Visser — 2d rounder, but won’t drop to us and would be a big reach for our 1st pick
Sean Williams — more of a pf in the league. big time talent w/ off court problems
Nick Fazekas — big guy but more of a face the basket player than a true 5
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 31, 2007 at 10:14 AM
One of my comments - a long one - hasn’t shown up, tho it probably will soon. In any case, I pointed out that we are now projected to get Jason Smith (7′0″) by both Draft Express and nbadraft.net.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 31, 2007 at 4:39 PM
I note that Hibbert is returning to Georgetown — he wasn’t going to fall to us in any case. Maybe if he wore that black question mark mask at the head of this blog post, he could be a ringer on the Wizards? He *is* local, after all.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time May 31, 2007 at 6:31 PM
2 every body that wants 2 c every players contracts a good site is hoopsworld.com n just go 2 nba salaries that will give u the info on the freeagents for next season.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time May 31, 2007 at 8:18 PM
As for me i would like to see the wizards go after chris mihm 2 back up etan. Then trade brendan for a good shooting guard maybe J.R. SMITH who was having problems with george carl being the reason why he got benched during the playoffs.Then resign deshawn,blatch,and roger mason jr. who has the wetest three point shoot in my mind lol.Also i feel that its time 2 let jarvis go his career has just been 2 rocky since being here.Then after that just sign pecherov to a good contract and i hope the wizards use this years first round draft pick to be a solid center with a good nba future………thats all folks!!!!!good day
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 1, 2007 at 1:06 AM
good points FLOYDBT but you left out AJ and i think that might be posible but you never know whats going to happen its the nba!
Comment from edry09
Time June 1, 2007 at 7:39 AM
I like this idea to bring J.R. SMITH, he’s a good 3pt shooter and he is a spectacular dunker…why not, but if the trade can include also Camby it should be better.
maybe: Brendan,AD and Hayes for Camby and Smith!!
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 1, 2007 at 8:12 AM
Good point edry09 if the wiz can get camby out of the deal that will be great but lets be seriouse i dont think denver would let him go after he just won defensive player of the year………….another trade that will be good for the wizards would be to trade haywood and AD to the sixers for Dalembert and kyle korver and if they ask for more throw in jarvis!!!!!!!!this is just a thought but i like the trade for j.r. smith better lol
Comment from neal
Time June 1, 2007 at 8:40 AM
Good thoughts FLOYDBT, except that I’m not so high on Mason. He shoots them well in practice and he looks great, but his % made in games is poor. And if we get rid of Hayes and don’t trade for or draft a SF, who backs up Butler?
I’d love to have Camby. Someone send the GM of Denver a bag of MJ around draft time and maybe EG can con him.
Another thought: If we draft or trade for a SF can Blatche be switched to center. I know he’s skinny, but who’s better?
Comment from neal
Time June 1, 2007 at 8:41 AM
Someone tell me more about Jason Smith and Tiago.
Comment from edry09
Time June 1, 2007 at 10:15 AM
For me the perfect scenario and the most realist should be to trade Brendan, Hayes, AD (and maybe our 2nd draft pick) for JR Smith and Camby ; after that we could sign via the free agency Steve Blake for PG and Walton, Kapono, Barnes or Mo Pet for SF back up post (Walton being for me the best choice).
With the 1st draft pick we can get maybe a good young center like perhaps Jason Smith (or a GF like Derrick Byars).
To finish we have to keep Stevenson and it’s preferable to not resigning Hall, Booth and Ruffin (or maybe including one of them in the trade with Denver).
Look at the possible combinations :
Starters 1st backup 2nd backup
PG ARENAS BLAKE TAYLOR
SG STEVENSON Jr SMITH MASON
SF BUTLER WALTON BLATCHE
PF JAMISON SONGAILA PECHEROV
C CAMBY THOMAS JASON SMITH
Comment from Bun91
Time June 1, 2007 at 10:20 AM
The trade of Haywood, AD, and Hayes for Camby and J.R. Smith would help the Wizards out with getting a SG and a Center. What could also help the Wizards is if they draft Javaris Crittenton in the first round. If the Wizards draft Crittenton, Gilbert can go back to his position of SG, the position that he started when he entered the league before he switched to PG. If the Wizards make the trade, the Wiz would have a solid rotation guards with Gilbert, J.R. Smith, Stevenson, Crittenton and Taylor. If the wizards make the trade of getting Camby and Smith, the wizards would have a solid starting five and we would people of the bench who would help the rotation. We could get Chris Mihm from FA, but he would be coming off of his season-ending ankle surgery. Another suggestion from me is trading to get Morris Peterson from the Raptors, who’s good at three’s and made the Raptor’s defeat the Wizards in the game winning 3 he made in one of the games last season.
Comment from neal
Time June 1, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Seems to me a dream getting Camby and J.R. Smith for Haywood, AD and Hayes. Hayes would have to be resigned first anyway, as he’s a free agent.
Comment from odawg
Time June 1, 2007 at 2:30 PM
I’m gonna go with Josh Smith. The Wizards need a big body more then they need a SG. I expect them to get a guard when they trade Haywood also. Any team that wants Haywood probably won’t have a decent big man to trade.
Comment from neal
Time June 1, 2007 at 6:30 PM
I agree, odawg. Any team that wants Haywood doesn’t have a big man to trade that we would want.
I don’t follow the other NBA teams much or college ball. Can anyone tell me about Jason Smith and/or Tiago Splitter from Europe?
wizkid034, I think we do need a small forward, unless Blatche ends up there. Do you know where Thadeus Young is projected to go in the draft?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 2, 2007 at 3:26 PM
JR Smith? He is a complete wash-out. In 2 years, he won’t be in the league.
Neal — Splitter has flirted w/ the draft several times, always pulling out. He is an active center, a good player judging from what folks say and from youtube.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 4, 2007 at 8:25 AM
draft express seems to like Jason Smith — but I don’t know anything about him.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 4, 2007 at 8:34 AM
I just read an article saying that the sixers are planing to move samuel dalembert 2 PF wich means they need a center this could be the perfect time to try n trade haywood over there for mabe kyle korver a nice fit for the fast pace tempo the wizards play
Comment from edry09
Time June 4, 2007 at 8:51 AM
yeah why not floyd but I think they should ask for more, maybe Hayes or Daniels!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 4, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Interesting analysis of the state of the Wizards coming into this off-season at http://www.draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=12&a=2072&mod=comment. Be sure to read the comment below the main text as well. It adds significantly to the analysis.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 4, 2007 at 9:05 AM
Dalembert makes over $10m/year; how are they going to move him?
Trading Haywood to the Sixers would make for some very interesting games in the next season or two as Brendan and Etan matched up! That would be fun to watch.
Ideally, I’d rather trade Etan than Haywood — the numbers show that he is our best center. I don’t think Ernie is likely to trade him away unless the return is good. Etan would be very hard to trade; he makes about 23% more than Brendan and is an undersized center in the league.
There’s talk of Zach Randolph coming our way, but talk doesn’t mean much. I don’t like him, but if a 3d team got involved, we might get someone who could upgrade us.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 4, 2007 at 9:11 AM
I wonder how it would work if we *could* acquire a starting 4 who gave us rebounding and defense, and Antawn became our sixth man, giving us scoring and rebounding (AJ is a *good* rebounder!) off the bench.
As sixth man, he’d probably have to be more of a 3 than a 4; could he work well in that role, I wonder?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time June 4, 2007 at 11:10 AM
TM - nice find at DraftExpress. Knowing ‘Twan, he’ll do what’s best for the team but he will definitely give 110% in training camp to show that he’s worthy of the starting four spot (Pardon the cliche). He absolutely would not give up his spot in the lineup without a fight (in a good way).
Comment from neal
Time June 4, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Tom, thanks for referring us to the draftexpress site. I think they got it about right on the Wiz.
Do you know how big Splitter is? Where he plays? Age? What’s the best thing about him? What’s the worst?
You mentioned that numbers show that Haywood is our best center. Here are the numbers on a per minute played basis:
Shooting %:
Thomas 57
Haywood 56
FT %:
Thomas 56
Haywood 55
Rebounds/min:
Thomas .30
Haywood .28
Blocks/min:
Thomas .07
Haywood .05
Assists/TO ratio:
Haywood .51
Thomas .37
PF/min:
Haywood .12
Thomas .13
Both seem to me to be out of position on defense too often.
If Haywood were getting along with Jordan, I’d rather have Haywood. But only because Thomas seems to spend part of every year on IR. Since Haywood isn’t getting along with Jordan, I’d rather have Thomas.
I definitely am not enthusiastic about Jameson as a 3. I don’t think he can defend those guys well enough and he rarely drives on offense. On the other hand, he is very good at out rebounding his opposite number (even if taller, I think).
Sure, I’d love to have Kyle Korver. But I agree with edry09. The Sixers would want more than Haywood.
If we can resign Hayes for the minimum, I still think he’s worth that, just for the chance that he might finally get it together.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 4, 2007 at 9:16 PM
This is just a thought people so dont get that mad lol…………..wat if we trade antawn jamison to the celtics for there 5th pick in the draft and gerald green……….just a thought and with that pick get the best pf or center available then get a sg with the 16 pick.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time June 4, 2007 at 9:19 PM
FLOYDBT - under salary cap rules, BOS would have to be over $10M under the cap to do that trade.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 4, 2007 at 9:32 PM
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0 thanks for clearing that up!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 5, 2007 at 8:11 AM
They’d also have to be out of their minds!! Some of the trades people propose here are incredibly one-sided!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 5, 2007 at 8:13 AM
Neal — re: Haywood and Thomas: you have to look at *the other team’s statistics* when each of these players is on the floor. Neither of them is an offensive player.
Per the draftexpress analysis I quoted above, the Wizards won overwhelmingly often when Brendan got 25 or more minutes.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 5, 2007 at 8:15 AM
http://www.nbadraft.net has a round-up article from last week’s pre-draft camp in Orlando. They go through all the players, ranking them and discussing where they might go in the draft: http://nbadraft.net/2007predraftcamp005.asp
Note that no one at this camp will be the Wizards’ first round choice, but this is interesting for thinking about whom we get in round 2. Don’t forget, a lot of good players in the league went in round 2 or were undrafted. Obviously, right now I point at Daniel Gibson, taken by the Cavs in round 2 last year.
Comment from neal
Time June 5, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Good point Tom.
But I think Grunfeld has been told to get whatever he can for Haywood.
Comment from neal
Time June 5, 2007 at 5:12 PM
Better put, I think Grunfeld feels he has to get rid of Haywood for whatever he can get, just like he thought he had to get rid of Laettner and Stackhouse.
And like he felt he had to pay whatever to keep Thomas when he was about to leave. At that point Grunfeld felt he had to make a statement to the team and the fans that Wash would no longer let its good players go because it wasn’t willing to pay the freight.
I just hope he can get a player good enough to be in the regular rotation.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 5, 2007 at 8:35 PM
what ever happened to peter john ramos?????
Comment from Bun91
Time June 6, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Peter John Ramos was released by the Wizards. How about trading antawn jamison to the pacers for Jermaine O’Neal? O’Neal could take the center position.
Comment from neal
Time June 6, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Sure, if they would go for it.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:02 AM
Check out Greg Oden’s blog at http://www.yardbarker.com/ncaa_basketball/articles/The_End_Of_The_Best_Year_Of_My_Life/15487. Yardbarker is a nice site!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:03 AM
Eric — get the division point guys to change comment formatting to “left” rather than “justified” to avoid weird formatting like the above.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:07 AM
Bun — what would make you think that Indiana would trade O’Neal for Jamison? Why would they do that?
Eric — Grunfield “has been told”? By whom? But I do think that’s the only thing to do.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:10 AM
The Magic signed Stan Van Gundy to coach, and because he was under contract to the Heat they gave up one of their two 2d round choices this year for the privilege. This is a *deep* draft, and the Heat will get a 10 year NBA player if they draft well.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:51 AM
TM - good call on the text alignment. As far as the “has been told” comment, that was neal, not me.
Comment from neal
Time June 7, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Yes, I said that. But I changed my wording on the same day. I presume Grunfeld has primary say. But I also presume he feels he has to move Haywood.
Good to hear that it’s a deep draft. Maybe we get a SG for Haywood, a center with our first pick, and a SF for the future with our second pick.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 7, 2007 at 7:09 PM
This is way way way off topic but is there any chance the wizards can switch back to being called the BULLETS that wizards name is just crap lol
Comment from edry09
Time June 8, 2007 at 6:51 AM
neal I don’t think we need a SF, we already have enough guys for this post.
If we make a summary we can see that wizard’s problem are:
1)defense
2)points comming from the bench
3)center post
Defensive and center’s problems are linked so wiz first need is a CENTER who can defend and score in the paint (draft); we also need a true point guard with good passing skills to go with Gil as starter or a SG for letting Deshawn comming from the bench (FA) and maybe an other scorer from the bench(trade for haywood).
Comment from neal
Time June 8, 2007 at 2:46 PM
No doubt center is the first priority, and it’s very much linked to defense.
In my mind Daniels is an outstanding backup point guard. What more could we want? And Taylor seems to be good at everything but jump shots.
I count Hayes as a SG, and in my mind he only comes back if he’s willing to take the minimum. Blatche may become a SF, but we don’t know if he can shoot jump shots well enough. And if we don’t draft a center Blatche will have to be the back-up center. So at present it seems to me we have only Butler at SF.
Comment from Bun91
Time June 9, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Javaris Crittenton was with the Wizards on pre-draft workouts: day 2. he says he can contribute defensively and offensively, in every aspect. Crittenton also says he can do some of the same thing as Gilbert and he thinks he has some of the same game as him. It could be because of Crittenton making the transition of shooting guard to point guard, just like Arenas.
It says that at: http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=836101.
If the Wizards draft Crittenton, they would have a player who can play both guard positions. With the Wizards drafting him, they would have 2 great players in the backcourt. I wouldn’t want seeing Crittenton go to the Heat to team up with Wade, the Lakers to team up with Kobe, or Detroit to either backup both Rip and Billups or be the replacement for Billups if he goes away in free agency. If he goes to the Clippers to replace Shaun Livingston, take Nick Young if he is still available, who could be a backup to both the SG and SF positions or a starter for SG. If Nick Young is already drafted and so is Crittenton, take the other player from Georgia Tech, Thaddeus Young. He could be the backup to SF and possibly be the replacement of Jamison with his comparisons to him.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 9, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Bun — Thaddeus Young does make you think of Antawn, that’s a good observation.
On the other hand, I don’t really care whether Crittenton compares himself to Arenas — hey, I think I’m as good a talent picker as Ernie, but no one is gonna hire me to be their GM!!
(but Crittenton might be very good — don’t get me wrong)
Here’s the draftexpress breakdown of shooting guards — one name stands out, Morris Almond. Look especially at the bottom of the page, where the writer uses DJ Berri’s ‘winscore’ paradigm to rate the shooting guards. IMO, this is the very best way to analyze any player, as it translates very well to impact on the final score of a game, which is the only thing that matters! –http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2101
The only problem doing this or any other comparative analysis is that these guys all play in different situations, and not against each other. Still, Almond and Daequan Cook seem to stand out.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 9, 2007 at 12:23 PM
that’s http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2101 (sorry)
Comment from neal
Time June 9, 2007 at 9:15 PM
Seems to me we need to draft a center, since it’s so hard to get a good one otherwise. Even if a draftee is a gamble, he would be a better possibility of being a center that will help us get to a championship than any other.
edry09, I think a big part of the lack of scoring from the bench is the coach not playing those guys much. Arenas averaged 40 min. per game and apparently felt a lot was up to him. He shot a lot but at a very low percentage. Butler averaged 39 min and Jamison 38. If they played no more than 35 min per game their shot selection (and shooting percentage) would improve, I think. Then, the reserves would get more playing time. They would be more in the flow of the games and their games would improve too - it seems to me.
Eric, since so many people are interested in this subject, why not move it up in the list of subjects?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 10, 2007 at 8:51 AM
neal — doesn’t it work both ways? I.e., the starters are playing those big minutes in part because there’s no scoring available off the bench?
Gilbert had the lowest fg % of any of the top 25 scorers in the NBA. To be honest, I think he shoots too much.
Comment from Bun91
Time June 10, 2007 at 9:16 AM
Gilbert just told the Washington Post he is going to opt out of his contract after next season and become a free agent.
Comment from edry09
Time June 10, 2007 at 2:05 PM
neal I think it’s because we don’t have a productive bench that the big 3 play so much!!!I don’t mean that those guys (coming from the bench) don’t play well, I just mean that they are not able to bring enough with a short period of time, than we expected from them!!Next season it’s gonna be better because Songaila gonna be much more adapted to the team, AD did great job during the playoff starting at PG and young guys like Blatche and Taylor gonna be more mature. The big disappointment for me it’s Hayes, we should trade him with Haywood for Artest.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 12, 2007 at 7:59 AM
Hayes is a FA — we can’t trade him (though we could do a sign and trade). Artest will never be a Wizard, edry: the franchise just doesn’t bring in guys w/ those kinds of problems. I’d love to see him on our team, btw.
As to drafting a center — if Jason Smith gets to us, there’s a good chance we’ll take him. He may be a 4 in the league, however. Ditto Splitter, who may not even be able to buy out of his contract.
Most people think it would be a reach to take Aaron Gray at our position in the draft. If Spencer Hawes fell to us, we’d be nuts not to take him, but it is unlikely to happen. There aren’t a lot of other guys for us to look at — Marc Gasol, Kyle Visser and Nick Fazekas are all likely to be 2d-rounders who are taken before our turn comes in round 2.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 12, 2007 at 8:06 AM
According to a gm quoted at http://www.hoopshype.com, there is an inordinate amount of trade chatter going on now in re: the upcoming draft. The draft is deep, and there are teams with two 1st round choices.
Assuming that we are unlikely to be able to trade up, I’d be happy to see us trade our pick for a low first round and high second round pick or for a good scoring or defensive wing man and a pick. But, in this as in any trade, the salary cap would figure in; you just don’t know what it’s possible to do.
Comment from neal
Time June 12, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Yes Tom and edry09, it wasn’t as simple as I made it out. A big problem was Hayes not producing. Another was Songaila being out for half the year. Another was Blatche not getting much playing time. Presumably next year Songaila and Blatche will play more, Hayes little or none, and an as-yet-to-be-named SG a lot.
Actually, I think we have an option on Hayes for $3.5M for next year. We could trade that right if anyone were willing to pay it (highly unlikely).
Barring someone at another position being a steal when it’s our turn, I would like to see us draft the best center available with our first pick. I think we can get a competent SG to go along with Stevenson by trading Haywood, signing a FA, or with our second pick.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 12, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Hey — Greg Oden has high praise for Josh McRoberts — http://www.yardbarker.com/ncaa_basketball/articles/Young_McRoberts/15947
Comment from neal
Time June 14, 2007 at 7:42 AM
Interesting blurb, Tom. In my book, a sense of humor is a positive in terms of character. But isn’t McRoberts a PF? Just where we have guys waiting in line to play.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 14, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Good point, but the other guy projected to us - jason smith - is also a 4. I’m sure Ernie has some creative ideas. At least I hope so.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 14, 2007 at 4:00 PM
neal — who do you think we should take? A center (e.g. aaron gray), a swing man (jared dudley or derrick byars), a 2 (morris almond), a point guard (acie law, taurean green)?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time June 14, 2007 at 4:26 PM
I wouldn’t buy into so-called “projections” in terms of who goes where. They’re just opinions of prognosticators who run the various mock drafts around the net. Sure they’re entertaining and it can help prompt discussions, but I’ve learned that the Draft is often preceded by lies and manipulation. At least that’s what I tell myself - helps keep things exciting (and suspenseful!) in the days leading up to Draft Night.
Comment from neal
Time June 14, 2007 at 9:06 PM
1. A center.
2. A center.
3. A center.
We aren’t going to get a good one any other way. We just have to hope a #16 pick
develops into a quality starter.
I think Arenas will be our point guard indefinitely and Navarro will replace Daniels in a couple of years.
Comment from neal
Time June 15, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Somebody tell me more about Aaron Gray. Does he play D? Will he be there at #16? Is he the top center in the draft? Second? Fifth?
Comment from ronniea
Time June 16, 2007 at 7:41 AM
Jason Smith will be the pick. Will bring scoring, rebounding and shot blocking off the bench. Will reminds fans of Tom Gugliotta.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 16, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Aaron Gray will *definitely* be there at 16. He is a solid, but slow center. Great size. Can he play D in the league? Against whom? Who knows? Lets put it this way, he isn’t thought to be as good as Andrew Bogut or Chris Kamen. How good do you think they are?
We have to get the best *basketball player* available at our pick; we can’t fish for a position.
This draft is rich in wing players. I’ve been posting draftexpress’s series of evaluations using statistical tools — numbers: these are not so-called prognostications. Their coverage of small forwards just appeared; it’s at http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2118 and links to the analysis of 1s and 2s as well.
The best player that will fall to us seems to be Jared Dudley; he is going to be a good pro. If we can trade up in the 2d round, we should have a shot at Reyshawn Terry, who looks to be undervalued by the prognosticators. He’s someone Antawn might mentor (both being UNC grads).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 16, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Centers - I’ve posted a list somewhere here indicating who is in the draft. Here’s what i can remember of it, leaving out the guys who won’t be there at 16:
jason smith, tiago splitter (projected at 4 by most people), Josh McRoberts (ditto), Marc Gasol, Kyle Visser, Nick Fazekas (prob. a 4?), Sean Williams (off court troubles) devon hardin (looked at as a great athlete, no feel for game; should go back to school), Herbert Hill, Daryl Watkins.
None of these guys is going to start at center in the league — certainly not next year, probably never.
Comment from neal
Time June 16, 2007 at 12:58 PM
If you don’t think Blatche will make it at SF, Dudley looks good, or Terry in the second round, according to what’s in draftexpress. But if we don’t draft a center, who’s going to play there? Thomas backed up by Booth? Then Thomas goes down after six weeks and who do you have? I’m shuttering. I’d sooner have Blatche give it a try.
Is there no one with the size, quickness, energy and commitment to play D at center that will be there at #16? I don’t care if he averages 0 points per game. It’s a shame there isn’t another Charles Johnson.
Comment from wiz123
Time June 16, 2007 at 6:50 PM
isnt there a worry that Dudley is too big and slow to play the 3 but too small to big the 4? but he still looks like someone that could contribute immediately….which is important if we’re to let hayes go. but to take him at the 16???
this is my 1st time posting….i’ve been wondering …what do you guys think bout this…we trade haywood and the 16 to chicago…for the 9th pick? then hopefully, hawes is still around and we could pick him….draftexpress stated he is the next best true centre after oden.
or
we trade jamison and haywood to portland….for przybilla and randolph… i know billa don’t have any offence on him…but with randolph we need him for rebounds and block shots…or just a body if we were to play if some big centres…it just seems EG is desperate to release haywood…the figures for the two seems to match..and billa isnt doing much in portland…not especially if oden is there..
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 17, 2007 at 9:57 AM
wiz123 — Chicago isn’t going to make that trade, end of story. Not to mention that we *can’t* make it; we have to take back salary equal to 85% at least of Haywood’s salary in order to trade him.
To trade Haywood we are likely to have to take back someone else’s problem player.
Randolph scores by *dominating the ball.* We don’t need him. Moreover, Antawn’s got an expiring contract (I think?), which is worth something to us. Not to mention that he is a major contributor. Either of the above trades would put us back in the lottery, sez I.
Comment from neal
Time June 18, 2007 at 9:11 AM
I wouldn’t be too sure about Haywood, Tom. He’s a capable center. And you’ve pointed out that his D makes a difference when he’s the starter. I wouldn’t put it past EG to get a competent SG in the $5M range for him - good enough to divide time with Stevenson.
Yes, Antawn’s contract expires with next year (he has an option to exercise for this year). And next year may be his last as a starter. After that I’m hoping he’ll take a pay cut big enough to allow us to keep Arenas.
I think Chris Mihm is the best of the available FA centers. And we should be able to get him for $5-6M, which is avail. to us under the “mid-level” exception to the cap. Is he better than Aaron Gray and the other centers possibly available at #16?
Comment from stevevu
Time June 18, 2007 at 5:43 PM
first of all, i do not think that any center in the draft is good enough except for maybe sean williams, since everyone else is a pf and aaron gray is not a first round talent, but i dont think he would be the best choice. WHat they should do is look at the portland centers, pryzbilla and magloire who made the allstar team a few years ago, since they will probably become expendable based on what happens in the draft. they will also probably not come at too steep of a price either and be descent solution for the 5 position for now. they could give them daniels or the rights to navarro, they need to get this guy either in uniform or get something for him now!, or get a sign and trade with hayes since their needs will be pg and sf unless they draft durant. You could get a 2nd rounder or guard for haywood with teams like knicks, hawks, and bulls. then they can use their picks to get the best available player to improve their desperately needed depth on the bench. There are going to be a lot of quality players left in the 2nd round so hopefully the wizards could get a diamond in the rough and get someone that can contribute now.
Comment from neal
Time June 18, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Good points stevevu.
Just one comment. It’s not like football, where you can easily trade a player for a pick. You have to trade a player for another player (or players). The salary difference can’t be more than 15%. If you trade a player for a pick in the NBA, all of the traded player’s salary counts against the salary cap. And since only a couple of teams in the league are under the cap, only they can do that.
I wasn’t aware of the Portland situation. That sounds like a good possibility.
Navarro’s contract in Spain lasts through the 2008/2009 season. I don’t expect him before then.
Comment from stevevu
Time June 18, 2007 at 8:13 PM
actually, jason smith could be a center if he adds weight but right now he is listed as a pf. he is good offensively but i hear that he is pretty poor on the defensive end so that is not exactly what we need. he also will take a little time to develop so he probably wont be too much of a factor this year. he might help our offense in the future but doesnt address our need for a defensive center so that we can win a championship.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Magloire is not an upgrade over Haywood, and his salary is nearly twice that of Brendan’s, so the trade couldn’t be made anyway.
The blazers won what 25 games last year? And Magloire couldn’t get on the floor.
neal — you’re right. EG should be able to get a pretty good 2 in a trade for Haywood, unless Brendan’s attitude makes people want to stay away from him. In my opinion, whoever gets him is getting a pretty good NBA center.
Portland has Brandon Roy and Martell Webster at 2; would they be likely to trade Webster? they also have darius miles — want him?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see us take DeVon Hardin in the first round, though it’s a reach. I agree w/ Stevevu that Sean Williams is a good prospect, but his off-court problems may rule him out for us.
Comment from stevevu
Time June 19, 2007 at 6:54 AM
What i was thinking with navarro was that the wizards need help now to make gilbert think that we are a contender and navarro, at 27, in spain for 2 more years does not help that. I was just thinking that with them drafting oden or durant, i wouldnt be surprised if they drafted durant after missing out on jordan 20 some years ago, and with a young nucleus of roy aldridge and randolph (if they draft durant), so they might be willing to spend the money to buyout the contract to get him here since more people will be interested in portland again since whoever they draft will sell some tickets. They are just 1 or 2 players from making the playoffs this year. I dont know if that could work out that financially or not, maybe if we give them some money, but that was my thinking even if it is ubsurd and not possible. but thanks for the knowledge on the salary cap neal.
As for magloire, i think he is an upgrade over haywood because i think he is a little better offensively. Actually, anybody would be better than haywood because he doesnt agree with eddie jordan (Is jordan under contract because i read that haywood would only return if jordan does not so that confused me) so he wont get much playing time. he might be a good center but not for this team. I thought that their salaries were similar but i guess I was wrong. also hardin is going back to school so he isnt a choice anymore. anyway, they are not going to find their solution at center this year in the draft or otherways , unless some team is stupid, so i think they should play a lot of small ball lineups of gil, ad/deshawn(hopefully they resign him), butler, jamison, blatche/pecherov because i think it will be affective and it will help their uptempo offense.
In any case, eg has put this team in the right direction ever since his airness destroyed the team so I trust whatever decision they make.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2007 at 10:06 AM
(As of this morning, looks like DeVon Hardin is heading back to school at Cal; that’s the right choice, as he may be a lottery pick next year. Good info stevevu).
I have my fingers crossed that Julian Wright falls to the Wizards at 16, but this is unlikely. He will be a starter in the league, I believe. I think Jared Dudley will as well, and he will almost certainly be there at our pick. I don’t feel as certain about Jason Smith or Josh McRoberts, the other two likely candidates for our pick. We do have a jam at the 4.
Obviously, however, the key question remains Haywood. What happens with him will have a pretty big impact on the team’s future.
Forget about Magloire, stevevu, we don’t want the overpaid contract he has.
Comment from neal
Time June 19, 2007 at 7:43 PM
stevevu, unless Navarro can talk his Spanish team into releasing him (he’s been unsuccessful so far), someone would have to buy him out of his contract. The Wiz can only contribute $500,000 toward the buyout. Anything else would count toward our salary cap - and we’re already over the limit.
Yep, everything rides on Haywood.
Tom, I take it that you think there will be better picks there at #16 than the centers. If EG sees it the same way, can Pecherov or Blatche play center?
Comment from stevevu
Time June 20, 2007 at 6:45 AM
I think that if pecherov adds at least 20 pounds he can play center because he still looks pretty thin now after supposedly adding 10 pounds over this past year. from what i have heard about him, he loves to rebound and play defense and can block shots pretty well so he could probably handle the paint for us defensively if he gets bigger. However, he is a perimeter player which doesnt help our need of having a guy that you can throw the ball into the post when the outside shots do not fall. Blatche might be big enough right now at 6′11 250, maybe needs to add a little weight. I dont know a
Comment from edry09
Time May 24, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Wizards should draft an international guard who can play 1 or 2 and who can shot well the ball!!I’m thinking at Marco Belinelli or Rudy Fernandez.
In an other case wiz could draft a good defensive center like Sean Williams.
Wiz don’t need a PF because they have a lot of player for this post: AJ,Songaila,Blatche,Pecherov…