WizBlog RSS FeedWIZARDS TURN THEIR FOCUS ON BLATCHE
While Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld sits back and plays “wait and see” game for any offers that he likes from teams for Juan Carlos Navarro’s rights, he has wasted no time in his first step to retain restricted free agent forward Andray Blatche. Now that the Wizards lost a potential suitor for Navarro after Miami agreed to terms with guard Smush Parker yesterday. The Wizards have now apparently turned their focus Blatche.
According a report from Washington Times, the Wizards Friday night offered Blatche a three-year deal worth about $11 million.
On Sunday, however, Washington Post’s Ivan Carter cited that the amount the Wizards offered to Blatche was less than $11 million, according to a team source who refuted the previous published report. It did confirm that talks between the two parties are ongoing.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:04 PM
i like the guy and that sounds like a deal that would work for the wizards i hope it works for him!
July 28th, 2007 at 12:43 PM
The Wizards must be using the “Early Bird Exception” - for players with two years of experience. It means we will definitely be paying luxury tax, and it puts a whole new light on things. Blatche ought to go for this. He looked good for a few games at the end of the year, but he’s still just a prospect. It’s not even certain he will be in the regular rotation this year.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:53 PM
I believe 11 million for three years is a good offer for Blatche. The question is if Dallas offers Blatches 4.5 to 5 million a season should the Wiz match it. That would be a lot of money for someone who is not guranteed a lot of minutes unless he earns more playing time.
Blatche would be fighting Pecherov and Songalia for minutes at the 4 spot and that is with AJ starting. You figure Dominic and Nick would be backing up Caron. If Pecherov or Blatche could fill out and back up BH that may work.
Hoopshype.com has reported that the Cavs, Grizzlies, Celtics, Lakers, Spurs and Warriors are still interested in JCN. EG wants to include ET with JCN and nobody is biting yet.
Here are some possible deals that could work for us:
If ET is traded I believe his salary would be around 7 mil. or more with the trade kicker.
You figure JCN would want between 2-3 mil.
Lakers send us Chris Mihm (3-4 mil.?) and Jordan Farmer 1.1 million
Spurs send us Francisco Elson 3 mil. and Beno Udrih 1.7 mil
Warriors send us Andris Bierdirns 2.6 mil. and Sarunas Jaskevicius 4 mil.
To make it work for any of these teams with us sending ET and JCN somebody is going to have to eat part of ET’s contract.
If I were the WIZ I wouldn’t sweat it about putting out some luxury tax money.
If you want to build a winner you have to take some risks.
Beleive me if the WIZ can go deep in the playoffs next year they will make their money back to possibly part ways with ET.
Maybe BH will win the most improved player of the year.
I hope BH knows that WIZ fans want him to do well. He just have to be hungry and motivated. I believe that is all EJ wants out of him. If I were BH, Blatche, Pecherov, Young, McGuire and Miles I would be hanging out with Gil, Caron and DS after practice night after night. If the WIZ want to take this thing to another level they are going to have to work hard for it. Potential with a lot of hard work will produce success.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:46 PM
I wonder if they used the early birg exception. The rest of the MLE wouldn’t be able to cover for his salary. I don’t know if the early bird is ignored by the cap. Otherwise there’s no reason to do it. So we might be going in tax territory. If they are offering blatche this kind of money they must be confident about the other pieces. I just hope we get a young big money who can outperform etan at this point..biedrins would be nice but not sure if he can get in with blatche and pech there, bynum would be supernice. Other than that atleast theres a possibility that the group is willing to go into tax territory to get what we need.
July 28th, 2007 at 2:45 PM
The Early Bird exception exempts it from the “salary cap”, but not the luxury tax. The Wiz are obviously planning to pay some luxury tax this year, unless they plan on going with an 11 member team. Next year Jamison’s contract is up and it’s a new ball game.
July 28th, 2007 at 4:10 PM
dmac i really like the ideas of:
Chris Mihm and Jordan Farmar (really good freiends with Nick Young)
Andris Beidris (we need a center to get blocks and boards) and Sarunas Jaskevicius
July 28th, 2007 at 4:40 PM
Trade:
Wiz Get:
-Andris Beidris
-Jordan Farmar
Lakers Get:
-JCN
-Darius Songaila
-Washington 2nd Round Pick
Warriors Get:
-Sasha Vujacic
-Ronny Turiaf
-Lakers 2nd Round Pick
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=3002~2789~2421~2427~1784~1778&teams=27~9~9~27~13~13&te=&cash=
July 28th, 2007 at 4:44 PM
to my last trade suggestion we can also add
-Vladimir Radmonivic
AND
-Antoinio Daniels
it would also work
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=3002~1016~2789~2421~2427~183~1784~1778&teams=27~27~9~9~27~13~13~13&te=&cash=
July 28th, 2007 at 5:34 PM
Abe will not go over the luxury tax. He never has, he never will (he’s holding on to his money until he dies). Plain and simple. If Blatche takes this deal, it won’t put the wizards over the luxury tax. The Wiz would be just slightly under the luxury tax threshold.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:50 PM
wiz-skins07 I see your trade proposals. My only concern is that EG would not want to give up Darius and still have ET. I was thinking of Chris Mihm for ET because Chris is good offensively. Even though he is not the defensive low post presence we need. I think he would be a good fit in the Princeton O. I would start BH and bring Chris off of the bench. We are able to send JCN and still get a center for a center.
wiz-skins 07 since LA likes JCN how about Blatche, JCN and ET for Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar and Ronny Turiaf.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Joe if it was your money would you go over?
July 28th, 2007 at 6:20 PM
Why not trade ET and the rights to Navarro to Miami for Haslem and their #1 pick for next year. Then we trade AJ BH AB and our #1 pick and Miami’s #1 pick for KG
July 28th, 2007 at 8:03 PM
because we would have no center
July 28th, 2007 at 9:18 PM
I think Abe needs to drop this approach of never going over the luxury tax threshold. It wouldn’t kill him to do it once for the sake of the team. I’m getting tired of cheap owners. Dan Synder may not always do the right thing, but at least he spends the money that fans give to the team. I know Abe is in a totally different situation than Synder when it comes to wealth, but the Wiz are generating some pretty good money the past few years. I would think he would want to see a championship before he dies. Spending a little extra money on players could help in that regard.
July 28th, 2007 at 10:32 PM
he has already seen one and its not just like o well lets just go a few mill over thats alot of money for anyone even if you think he is rich dose not mean he is if you want some one who is going to drop cash at anyone they want might want to become a Mav’s fan!
July 28th, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Abe has never gone into luxury tax land, and, I doubt he is planning to this season. I believe EG still has something up his sleeve that hasn’t yet surfaced.
If you are right Joe and the signing of Mr. Blatche at 11 puts us slightly under the luxury tax that is probably the nuts and bolts of it. The Times article said Mr. Blatche was leaning toward accepting the offer.
July 28th, 2007 at 11:01 PM
By the way… who the heck gave Mr. Thomas such a nice contract… Then included such an unreasonable trade kicker? On the bright side maybe Mr. Thomas has been working all summer long and can now hit 60% of his shots from 10′ and in?
July 29th, 2007 at 12:58 AM
For those people who are crying for Abe to go over the luxury tax land, keep in mind, out of the five teams currently over the luxury tax, only the spurs have won championships and they have the lowest salary out of the 5 teams by far.
For being 45 million over the tax, Knicks haven’t seen a single playoff game to show for it. Nuggets are good but not good enough. Mavs would have been good enough but still doesn’t have a ring to back up having over 7 mil on top of the luxury tax. I won’t talk about the Timerbwolves b/c I feel so sorry for KG.
Just coughing up dough only leads to bad decisions. Having limits to make the GM’s think wisely about how they pursue trades and free agents is a good thing. Would you want to be a Knicks fan?
FYI
As far as I know, Lakers aren’t trading Bynum for anyone less than the qualities of JOneal and JKidd and even then they still didn’t want to give up Bynum. Makes me more than a little doubtful that they’d take JCN and Etan for Bynum.
Andris Beidris has also been mentioend in trade rumors b/c so many teams want him but GS doesn’t want to give him up. I doubt he’s an “Untouchable” but I’d bet they’ll want a lot for such widely wanted player if they were to be looking for suitors.
July 29th, 2007 at 1:16 AM
The Wiz are committed to $63.9M for 10 players. If the Wiz pay Blatche $11M for 3 years the least they can pay him for the first year is $3.4M (then raise him by the maximum of 8% the next two years). So that puts us at $67.3M for 11 players. We have already agreed on $450,000 for McGuire. That puts us at $67.8M for 12 players. The luxury tax kicks in at $67.9M this year. That leaves us $100,000 to sign three players. The minimum NBA salary this year is $427,163. So we will be paying luxury tax. No way to sign Blatche and avoid it. Obviously, EG and Polin have faced that issue and accepted it.
EG signed Thomas to his current contract. Yes, he overpaid. The no-trade clause hurts us particularly. I think it was his first Washington deal. At the time I think he felt like he had to show the fans, the Washington players, and the other players in the league that we were through letting our players go because we weren’t willing to pay the freight. To his credit, he later refused to overpay for Hughes or Jeffries.
July 29th, 2007 at 1:41 AM
I honestly think EG thought Thomas would be better then he is. He signed a fairly large deal b/c many teams wanted Thomas at the time. There are times when Thomas plays like a beast and hes really active in the community so I’m not gonna hate on him too much. Needs improved jumper and consistentcy
July 29th, 2007 at 3:01 AM
Very Good Point Neal! As much heat at EG took at the time, I’m sure Cleveland would love to unload Mr. Hughes contract. I think I expected too much from Mr. Jeffries coming off his 2nd place team in the college finals.
Still I can’t imagine Abe paying a luxury tax. He has been so opposed to it to date. I’m guessing EG has “someting” in the works. Like Nara says… readers digest version.. Abe isn’t Mark Cuban.
July 29th, 2007 at 5:55 AM
It would really be good for us if he accepts this offer, we gotta keep him!
July 29th, 2007 at 11:14 AM
The only way we avoid paying the luxury tax is if we don’t sign Blatche. Even if we unload Thomas’s contract we have to take back a salary of roughly the same amount.
Seems to me the Wizards’s offer to Blatche is generous. He’s a relatively untested reserve at this point.
July 29th, 2007 at 3:54 PM
We’re in the luxury tax if we want to have even a 14-player roster. But, we’re not far in, and we are not in for long, given AJ entering his last, very highly paid year.
Even if we make a trade, we are very likely in, as we have to take back salary of at least 85% of what we trade away.
This should be a very interesting week coming up!!!
July 29th, 2007 at 3:58 PM
Will — you have an unclosed italic tag that’s causing weird formatting here and on a couple of other items. Fix it, dude. Also — “trun” should be “turn.”
July 29th, 2007 at 4:10 PM
neal - or anyone - I read that to avoid the luxury tax, the Wizards will sign McGuire *after* signing Blatche. Can someone explain to me why the order of signing makes a difference?
Whatever ‘exception’ we use on Blatche doesn’t affect the luxury tax. Obviously, there is something here I don’t understand. I need to be enlightened.
July 29th, 2007 at 5:02 PM
Beats me. I didn’t think anything affected the luxury tax limit. Where did you read that?
July 29th, 2007 at 6:02 PM
Salary Cap and the Luxury Tax Answers!
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#19
July 29th, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Thanks, that’s a great summary. But, it doesn’t answer my question. It may be that there is no answer to my question; Ivan raises the issue here and here.
I hope this doesn’t mean that they would fail to sign McGuire if they hit the luxury tax threshold. What a drag that would be!
July 29th, 2007 at 8:30 PM
Thanks americangaw, but I don’t see anything in there that gives any relief to the luxury tax limit.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:18 PM
Neal,
I believe the answer is that if the Wizards sign McGuire first then that money is applied to the team salary–thus reducing the amount they can sign Blatche. Once Blatche is signed league rules state you can sign drafted rookies even if you are above the salary cap. 1st round picks are already counted against the cap because of the rookie salary scale for first round picks, but 2nd round picks are not automatically counted to the salary until they sign a countract.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Americangaw — but we’re *already* above the salary cap. I.e. we have to use one or another of the exceptions that apply to our free agents to sign Blatche. It was that fact which made me wonder why the order of signing made any difference.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:46 PM
I don’t agree with Ivan Carter. I’m reasonably certain there’s no provision that gives any relief from the luxury tax limit of $67.9M. Moreover, the verbal agreement with McGuire is for $450,000. The league minimum is $427,163. Regardless of who gets signed first McGuire’s salary won’t affect Blatche.
I suspect EG is holding off on McGuire just in case someone wants his rights in addition to JCN’s in a trade. Also, he could be involved in a “sign and trade” deal.
americangaw, the “salary cap” for this year is $55.63M. We, and all but a couple of the other teams in the league are over that. I agree with the other things you say.
July 29th, 2007 at 10:33 PM
I thought we were 1.5 million under the Cap. Maybe someone should email Ivan Carter to explain the Luxury Cap.
What is the Wizards Salary for this year at this point?
July 29th, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Strike that last question the Wizards Salary at this point is 63.82 mil
July 29th, 2007 at 10:48 PM
dont you think we can trade Daniels to the SPURS they have a 8mil trade exception they can give us 3.5 mil of that exception and we could us that money to sign JCN
July 30th, 2007 at 6:18 AM
Why is everyone so eager to trade Daniels? Why not some of the other role players, Taylor, Mason, Ruffin, espeically Etan? Daniels is going into the 3rd of a 5 year contract. Is one of the bright spots of this team, did well in the playoffs, and everyone is so eager to trade him. I don’t understand it..
July 30th, 2007 at 6:52 AM
I think most people are just trying to figure out ways to cut salary and keep jcn, but daniels salary is not bad for what he means to the team. Also, if we trade him, i don’t think miles or jcn or nick young or whoever we have at the backup pg would be good enough to give arenas that much rest so that would be a pretty big step back for the team.
As for the trade, I dont think the spurs would accept it. first of all they would take on a contract without giving one away so they will be paying a pretty big luxory tax. Also, since they already have a veteran backup pg, even though daniels is much better than him, and have parker and ginobli, so his minutes would be less than in washington. So i don’t think that the spurs are willing to pay that much more of a luxory tax just to have improvement at the backup pg after they just won a championship with the lineup they have.
And finally, are the owners in baketball just less wealthy than those in other sports? I mean in foot ball, almost every team is near 100 mil and in baseball more than half of the teams have salaries higher than the luxory tax and they have a tax too. while in basket ball there are only 4 teams over 70 mil.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:32 AM
Taylor, Mason and Ruffin are free agents and anyway they have no trde value. We *are* trying - hard! - to trade Etan.
Daniels is a terrific player, but he is not quite the right backup for the Wizards. He needs to slow down the game, and he also needs more minutes to be effective than he’ll ever get w/ us. Plus, he *has* trade value.
stevevu — basketball is *not* as big a business as football, not nearly as big. Much more revenue to each team. Moreover, most football contracts are not guaranteed. In the NBA, you have less flexibility, hence you have to be much more careful about signing players - you’re stuck with them.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:56 AM
Latest rumor on the net. KG is headed to Boston for Al Jefferson, Rajan Rondo and Theo Ratliff. That will be interesting with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce as KG teammates
The East is heating up.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:15 AM
The Collective Bargaining Agreement has really created a nightmare of a “salary cap”. Because of the unrealistic cap, the exceptions are more important than the cap. I think I would prefer a hard cap with no exceptions. It would be easier for everyone to understand.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Boston might be a formidable team in the East if that trade happens.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:21 PM
No they won’t because with KG’s luck, Ray Allen’s gonna get hurt for the first half of the year and then Paul Pierce will get hurt for the 2nd half of the season and then KG will get hurt for the playoffs. Poor man.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:58 PM
KG to the east Coast. YEAA. Nara Don’t be mean
We’ll still win afterall.
FYI my real name is KG. so don’t hate me please…
July 30th, 2007 at 2:27 PM
lol no we dont win because they got a big 3 and there big 3 has a low post power house
July 30th, 2007 at 3:25 PM
if we sign Blatche, KG Vs. Blatche will be interesting.
July 30th, 2007 at 4:56 PM
i dont mean to sound like stephen A but come on who is andray blatche. save ur money. he did not help the wiz in anyway. i rather save and sign dominic. blatche is turnover prone, oversized, overrated, and playing the wrong position. sign someone else. JCN is a better choice. name one thing blatche does well. uhmmmmmm nothing. he doesn’t shoot, he is an okay defender, he is no shot blocker, i mean what is he. eddie i love ya, but dont waist ur time. and i mean where exactly is his playing time gona happen. when twan or songaila gets hurt, or caron. NO! we pay etan enough to ride the bench, we do not need another to make millions and sit. I can see it now. this is what all GM’s do. they let someone go ans take their chances on someone who they are over paying and see what they can do since they have payed them so much. hint: kwame brown, stromile swift, darko, jamal mcgloire, grant hill, chris webber. this lists goes on and just remember some of those names sounds good, but blatche does not compare to neither.
watch FRST TAKE here i come.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:27 PM
You know, I may be is some agreement with Brian here — not on his heavy dissing of Andray, but on the question of how much this kid is worth at this point in his career. He sat out a year, then last year he got minor playing time. Sometimes he looked good; other times he looked lost.
To me, he is like a fairly high first round pick — lets say like pick #10. So, whatever is the scale for this year’s #10 pick, that’s a place to start.
On the other hand, it is true that he has had some NBA experience, so perhaps that makes him worth a little more than a #10 pick who obviously wouldn’t have experience in the league. On the other hand, he *hasn’t* had organized ncaa ball experience.
Realize — Andray Blatche is a year *younger* than Nick Young.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Spencer Hawes was picked #10 this year — the rookie scale gives him a 4-year deal worth @ $9.5m. I think that’s about the right level for Andray Blatche too. Not 3 years at $11m as the Washington Times reported (probably a ‘leak’ engineered by his agent).
July 30th, 2007 at 7:39 PM
Brian, I think Blatche has shown signs of several things: defense, rebounding, scoring in close, and even a jump shot. At the end of the year he was showing a lot of energy and confidence. I think he’s a good prospect; I certainly think he’s worth more than McGuire, who we’ve seen even less of.
On the other hand, I agree that he’s not even a sure thing to get in the regular rotation. He’s got to beat out Songaila AND Pecherov at PF. If he’s going to play SF he’s got to beat out McGuire (I think both will be on the team). That means he’s got to improve his ball handling and cut down on the TO’s.
I think Tom’s idea of $9.5M for four years is about right.
July 30th, 2007 at 8:52 PM
Please understand that Andray Blatche hasn’t turned 21 yet!
This is a very young guy. He has tremendous athletic tools, but his future as an NBA basketball player is very much unproven. He could be terrific, but he could also be a bust.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:59 PM
What I like is that at 20 years old and so little experience he played like he thought he was already as good as other NBA pros. That’s remarkable, I think.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:52 PM
Mr. Blatche is a natural. When he struggled it was when he was trying to hard to fit into the scheme. When he looked good he was just letting himself play the game. He has a very nice shot, he is quick, he is tall and still growing, he finishes well at the basket, and he moves very well without the ball. His defensive and rebounding senses seem to be his best attributes. I would have liked to see EJ play him a little at center in the Cleveland series when (oh heck I’m not even going to try to spell it lol…. the center for Cleveland) was running all over us. If Mr. Blatche couldn’t stop him he sure would have slowed him down.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:57 PM
boston has just traded for garnett. we should not sign blatche for 11 mill if he is not going to contribute. firstly we already have an experiment in nick young it time to bring in someone who is going to help now! let me break this down. THIS IS THE BIG TICKET! well the west has given us four big beasts. rashard, kevin, zach, and ray allen. they all have one thing in common. none of them made the playoffs. this means that the good teams are still good. the east just got alot tougher. if we dont improve our roster we are a 6th place team at best behind new york, boston, cleveland, miami, detroit. when u look at our roster u say to urself its okay. we need to add a key piece or some key contributors. that will boost our chances cause right now we may get to the second round!
July 30th, 2007 at 10:58 PM
etan gets a few mil to ride the bench we dont need another one, definitely if they can’t help!
July 30th, 2007 at 11:05 PM
All the “money” people on here have already spoken. What we have, or are going to sign from in-house, is going to be our team. We have until Thursday to wait for “the trade” everyone has been waiting for. After Thursday if no trade happens…… we better like what we already have. That means if we don’t resign Mr. Blatche we lose a lot of size.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:22 PM
we u stick to racing because ur not one of the money people! size is useless if cannot help! kwame brown didn’t work did he. haywood is nothing, nor etan so where does size matter on this team! ur not big money…………. u are simply chump change.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:26 PM
if u are happy with just making the playoffs then u are correct mr racing. but if u are trying to win a title every piece counts. what can blatche do for us but fill up a roster. i hope all of this dissin’ on blatche does not come back and bite me, but for now i know it is not speaking on last season!
July 30th, 2007 at 11:41 PM
i dont see how you can look at the way he played last year and not see a huge up side to his game and why do you think that we are talking about it not because we are bored because other teams wanted to get him!
July 31st, 2007 at 12:12 AM
i guess i am the only one who does not want this guy. name the other teams other than dallas. NONE. are u an athlete? well i am. and i am in college playing ball as we speak. ask yourself this. if u were gilbert would u like to see the wiz sign andray and watch him develope or bring someone in who can help instantly? if u were eddie would u try to keep gil happy or make him want to leave. look at kobe and KG. they were unhappy because they had no good help arounf them. gil does have good help but on one of his blogs he said he didn’t feel like the wizards were ready to compete for a title. for 9 million we can bring in a free agent im am sure. oh yea i have played in a pick up game against this guy, and im not being disrespectful but if he had went to college he would be a little more polished. he is sort of ok at this and decent at that. he’s not good at a particular part of the game. THATS IT. NO MORE responses on this guy from me, no matter what! so talk on
July 31st, 2007 at 12:57 AM
I say if the Wiz can’t get a good offer for JCN, then sign him and let Blatche go! I know we all agree there isn’t enough min for JCN but he will need some time to learn EJ system anyway and I would rather have player of value that can contribute NOW or be traded later in the Future. JCN at 3 mil a year is a fair price and he can be an insurance policy if Gil leaves next yr.
I can live with Haywood just wish we would buyout Etan if we can’t trade him. I think that would be something that may help Mr. Haywoods happy!
As far as everyone thinking that KG will make Boston a playoff team, just remember it takes more than 3 players and the 3 players they have are no longer in their prime!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:03 AM
o you played in “A” pick up game with him were do you live? and yeah i do know alot about the up side of a player it seems you are the only one who dose not see his up side.
heres one for you keeping a player happy is what matters? then lets talk Kobe and shaq would you drop Shaq to keep Kobe happy? (i think some one had that idea and we see how that turned out) and if you know were you can find a free agent at 9 mill “over” 4 years that could make us a contender please fill us in!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:08 AM
Brian alot of people wanted him. The only reason they didnt follow through is cause they knew we would likely match most reasonably prices they threw at us. The other reason people are not is also because the salary cap is really hard on teams this year. Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia were some of the teams I know were interested. Cleveland has no space and settled for resigning verajeo, chicago drafted a big man and then got (was it joe smith?), dallas we are still not sure what moves they’ll make and they have fazekas ( who I wouldnt pick before blatche) philadelphia still has needs. Performance wise blatche will probably be able to contribute alot from the bench this year depending on how much muscle he puts on and what skills he develops. In a year or so he will be solid. overall I think he will be a better player than jamison. (jamison’s opinion as well + lebron said if he develops he’ll be a matchup nightmare). Like the other dude said we are not watching this blog for dray updates cause he sucks. We are watching cause he has huge potential .. erm and also to nitpick how the money is spent.. or to see if he can sign for zero so we can sign navarro too…yeah that’s all..really good reasons
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 AM
If we don’t have a good C, then we are in Sh!t. Just look at most recent upgrade to the Eastern Teams. Sign JCN even if we are over lux taxs. Its not going to be long only one year.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:47 AM
well i just played NBA 2K7 and i say we keep blatche hes a beast on their! LOL! naw, i appreciate u guys filling me in on blatche. i agree with great the upside and that eventually he will grow. u guys are right. but im just being real and saying that right now he cannot help us. THANKS bruce! and wizard4life, u got me on the kobe thing. some of u people on here are really die hard fan’s and u know ur stuff. tell me this. what will give the wizards a good shot in the east as far as moves that can be made this summer?
July 31st, 2007 at 7:56 AM
Just in case I wasn’t understood above — we certainly should keep Andray. He is a talent and just a kid. But, we shouldn’t over pay him.
I’m sure the reason this process is so slow is that Ernie is playing hard ball about $$$. That’s fine w/ me.
Btw, Ernie *loves* Andray — he isn’t going anywhere.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:11 AM
Yeah, Ernie is trying to get the ideal deal. I just hope he doesn’t overplay his hand. I’d hate to end up with the same centers AND JCN going back to Europe.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:51 AM
It is time to make a decision Andray do you want to play for your already made family /team or do you want to start all over again in a not so familiar situation and location. The way I see it what you have here is a playoff team hungry for bigger and better things and a chance for you to develop into a prime time player. You are atleast 3 years away for fifulling that potential. The contract will expire by then and you will only be 24 years old and ready to command a 6year 65 million dollar income but you must develop into a consistent 20 points and 10 rebound type of player with low turnovers and blocks to boot! Your prime will be between 24 years and 32 years if your health stands up, thats the time to test the market not now! Good Luck little brother and I wish you a successfull career no matter what you decide!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 11:15 AM
If all JCN is looking for is $3.5 per year, wouldn’t you give it to him over Blatche? I just don’t see how Blatche’s minutes this year increase unless he makes a huge leap - which I odn’t see happening this year. I think you just need to sit back and wait with Blatche and see what the market decides to offer him, then figure out if he’s worth it to the Wizards. I think JCN is going to be a much bigger impact player sooner than later in this league and rather than seeing what you can get by packaging him and Etan, I’d rather try and utilize the guy. Seems to me he is well worth $3.5 a year for 3 years. Seems like a much bigger crap shoot getting some late first round pick for him. Also seems to me like the Wizards can compete in the East right now. If we keep on the track of stocking up on draft picks and devloping guys like Blatche, then we are never goign to get out of that lower half of the playoff bracket. Younger teams like the Hawks and Toronto are goign to vault past us and the Miami’s and Detroits fall back.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:54 PM
First of all, Blatche is not going to get $3.5m/year.
Secondly, at the same salary I would *certainly* retain Blatche over signing Navarro — it’s not easy finding Andray’s combination of size, athleticism, agility and skills. 6′3″ guards, on the other hand, are easy to find.
Thirdly, it’s just *because* of what you say — that we need to do things that move us forward in giant steps — that I want to keep Blatche. He is very young; no, he is not going to get us to a championship next year. But, if we can keep him for 4 years, and if he develops the way Ernie hopes he will, he can be a star.
Is it a certainty that he’ll develop into a star? Obviously not. But, hey, nothing is a certainly. In JCN’s case, whatever he is he is; he’s a mature player with no big upside. I like him, why not? But, we don’t have need or room for him.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:33 PM
yeah brian ask a good ? what players are left that could put us in a much better spot for the playoffs? we know we need a center but who would fit price and team wise ?
and i hate waiting on stuff to happen because we never get any news about the moves we are trying because EG is tight liped if he had it his way we would not even see a roster till the first game and we be like wow when did we get him lol
July 31st, 2007 at 2:47 PM
if we can get someone with same amount we are offering right now, I’ll choose between Rubben Patterson and Matt Barnes. I wish we could get these players with league minimum like DeShawn did last year.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Barnes is soft & Rubben is done + were loaded at those 2 spots.. They r no more solid Centers. so unless EG is preparred for a rough summer we’d better stay put and keep what we got. Unless we did somethin remarkable EG would be under alot of pressure for making all these changes but with the same result.. a mid level playoff seed.. Their is no one available to make us an instant contender but JO and he is injury prone as well + costs a hell of alot more than anybody we got.. so it just isnt worth the trouble.. Keep the basics(the starting 5) the benches best (AD, Darius,Blatche) add the rookies(Pech,Young,Mac) & call it a day unless there is somebody who u just coulnn’t look away from & that person is not here now. so we should let it go
July 31st, 2007 at 3:39 PM
If it weren’t that he doesn’t fit well with Arenas, I’d rather have Navarro than Blatche for the same money. He’s a well-proven commodity and he’ll be a producer for someone. But we already have a high-scoring guard who shoots a lot and we have three players who shoot a lot of perimeter shots. We need an inside presence and Defense. Stevenson plays pretty good D and can make a high percentage of shots if left alone. We don’t need another player who can create his own shots. If Young learns the other things he will eventually do that but that’s a couple of years in the future, at least.
I’d rather have a good 1st round pick. Surely there are teams that would go for that. I think it would be a bargain for any team that needs a high-scoring guard. Then, maybe we can trade two picks for one next year and draft Mr. Wonderful.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:42 PM
According to the Wizards Insider, so far the Wiz haven’t gotten offered anything better then a second and junk for Navarro.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:36 PM
The KG deal is officially done. Amazing how they started off with pierce and a look of disgust on draft day and end up with KG, pierce and ray allen. Plus little else. I wonder what minnesotta’s going to do with the remaining pieces since they have too many players for the roster spaces. They might buy out some of their players like telfair and ratliff. If so we should look into that deal and see what can be done. We have too little players and they have too many. Portland, Seattle, Minnesota, Atlanta are obviously in rebuilding mode. Some of them might give up something. A few teams are looking for point gaurds. Thats where trades involving navarro and AD come into play. THis should happen before next year when there’s a new crop of point gaurds that are better than this year’s crop. Cleveland might be giving up gooden to GS for a trade exception so looking into some of their needs might make sense. It seems to me there are specific teams looking to make definite moves in a certain direction and the more done the better. Those are the teams we should deal with.
AS an after thought it might be better for us to make moves mid season. One reason is because we have a better idea of what we need and prices out there, another reason is because there might be better trades available out there as teams develop gaping needs. It is also possible later to have a wider group of possibilities to pick from because new players just signed will be available then for trade then e.g darko and others and if we are trading for draft picks we’ll have a better idea of how teams will place in the lottery and who can afford us a higher pick. EG waiting in this case provides a clearer landscape in which to make deals. He might be overplaying his cards though or bluffing.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:44 PM
All that makes sense, BruceO, but supposedly we have until Friday to do something with Navarro. That’s what Barcelona says, and wouldn’t they have talked to Navarro before setting that deadline? On the other hand, I guess EG might talk JCN into not signing something if he were about to make a deal.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:57 PM
If Ernie is getting crappy offers for JCN’s rights, doesn’t that tell you that folks out there don’t think he’s a big deal? You can only do the deals that other teams want to do.
A week or so ago, we were excited by the rookie-driven upgrade. We have a young and talented roster; the big problem is where it was at season’s end: at Center. I’m not surprised, and I can’t imagine anyone else is, that the other teams in the league have failed to help us resolve the problem!
It’s still July, gang — lots of time for stuff to happen.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:57 PM
By the way Kevin Garnett is now a Celtic
July 31st, 2007 at 5:01 PM
i should admit that when they traded for Ray Allen, I thought it was stupid move for giving up Jeff Green. Because I never see this coming. Right now, they are going for it. All in. It’s going to be interesting. I wish their big three don’t get hurt, so we could see pretty good match up against other teams.
“As long as our division is weak and weary, I’m happy”
July 31st, 2007 at 8:41 PM
I’m not worried about Boston. My impression is that the really good teams are fueled by players on the way up, rather than those just over their peak. The extra energy and adrenaline makes the difference.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:49 PM
yeah but i am with Bruce0 might want to see what parts there going to drop and grab them while we can its like a going out of businesses sale we might find that part we were looking for at a discount price we just got to wake up early and get there first
July 31st, 2007 at 9:06 PM
I agree. A couple of good veterans is good for a young, energetic team like ours.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:30 PM
I don’t think Boston will have any useful spare parts, and unless we want Theo Ratliff (why?) I don’t think there’s anything for us in the players they traded to Minnesota — they’ll surely want to keep jefferson, green and Gomes. Telfair is someone we don’t need or want.
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of team Boston can field. 3 terrific players and then what…?
August 1st, 2007 at 2:31 AM
how bout we trade brendan for kg, and ruffin for ray allen, and calvin booth for paul pierce yay.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:38 AM
I wouldn’t be worried about that Boston deal? Yes, they may have three superstars in KG,Ray, and paul but you have to look at there overall team instead of just them three.We have three all star in arenas, butler, and jamison but at least we also got role-player to help our big three. In Boston case yes, they are going to be a great team even a contender but they don’t really have a team that can support that statement. Don’t get me wrong Boston have three outstanding player that can make any team a contender but in this case I don’t believe so if add out all the facts.
1. free agent left
2. who else can they really trade
3. the big 3 are in th 3 (30 and up)
4. the draft pick they gave up
5. what if injuries happen
August 1st, 2007 at 2:42 AM
billtimore- you are a funny blogger lol. How bout we trade stevenson for kobe too while we are at it.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:44 AM
ratliff might be worth picking up on the cheap and then we won’t have to trade etan only to a big. Head to head ratliff is a better rebounder than haywood. Telfair has also had good head to head Matches against AD. So as second stringers or third I think they might be worthwhile to get on the cheap.
While there;s no news on the trade front, these wizards writers should tell us whats going on with the offseason training our players are going through. WE know arenas is doing the 100,000 shots thing. What are the rest doing as exercise, diet etc. What skills are they working on to improve the team. I want to read about that. I want to hear what type of progress blatche, pech, young and Dmac are making. I’ve always thought someone like blatche can become better in an offseason if he becomes strong even at the same weight. Improves his offensive skill sets and discipline. He already is a natural rebounder and blocker. I also want to hear more about what this new coach is bringing to the table in terms of individual players and what he can teach them.
btw guys what do you think kobe is thinking now that the lakers gave him nothing. Or what is arenas thinking since we didnt get any freeagents and suddenly there;s all this movement in the east.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:22 AM
I think kobe is pretty mad that they havent done anything yet, but there was no way the lakers were going to get kg. Minnesota wouldnt trade him to someone in the same division. THe only reasonable shot at another star is jermaine oneal. But there is still alot of time to get things done. As for Arenas, I think he is fine with whats going on because he knew that we couldnt get the big free agents that will help us right away. Also, he wants to keep the core of the team together so he is happy that we kept deshawn or didnt trade one of the big 3 to get a center and he likes that we have bench scoring now. I wouldnt be too worried about him leaving unless we have a losing season with a fully healthy roster. THat’s when I think there is chance that he will leave. BUt if we win the division and get past the 1st or 2nd round, i think that you can practically already put him on the roster for the forseeable future.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Boston can sign:
1) Chris Webber to the Vet Min or the Biannual Exception
2) Knight with part of the MLE(other options are Troy Hudson, Earl Boykins, or one of the free agent guards from N.O).
3) They can sign either Udoka or P.J Brown with the rest of their MLE.
4) They can sign Jarvis Hayes or another SF to a minimum contract. They don’t need a good SF, just one that can contribute ten minutes without sucking terribly.
They’d still be dependent on their Big Three, but they’d have enough depth around them to compete.
You’ve got
PG: Knight Raldo
SG: Allen Allen
SF: Pierce Scalbarine Hayes
PF: KG PJ Brown
C: Perkins Webber
Plus, you’ve got Pruitt, Powe and Big Baby.
Not great, but enough depth to get by without injuries to the big three.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:53 AM
I’d hate to see Jarvis go to the Celtics. I haven’t heard anything about him this off season on where he is likely to land. I still like him a lot and think he can start in this league.
I said it earlier and i will say it again here: I’d take Navarro over Blatche. Every game I’ve seen with Navarro has been impressive. Given the choice I would have taken him over Stevenson, who I think was signed mostly to appease Arenas. People will point out that he’s the Wizards best defensive player, but I don’t think it matters how good of a defensive player a single guy is if they rest of the team doesn’t play defense.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:17 AM
u know what after looking at what boston has left im not so convinced that they are ahead of us cause we have depth and they clearly do not. plus pierce and allen have always been injury prone. so we still can win the east if we just keep it consistent. if eddie decides not to make any moves…….. is he gonna use pecherov at center or foward? and i pray he is not planning on keeping etan and haywood together again. that’s TO and donovan all over again. it’s a distraction! the wiz are in good shape! we are young. twan has been in the league for nine years and AD 10 other than that we have legs.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:30 PM
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5705579901470180168&q=arenas&total=81122&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2 you guys seen that video? It’d make a really good ad for gil
August 1st, 2007 at 2:01 PM
WOW! i didnt know he had so many highlights i watched about videos, and im telling u this guy should have been MVP!
August 1st, 2007 at 6:27 PM
I just read on RealGM that Boston is looking at Michael Riffin or Calvin Booth for back up Centers. They also signed Eddie House today to a one year deal..
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/47416/20070801/free_agents_now_calling_boston/
August 1st, 2007 at 6:28 PM
Sorry guys that’s suppose to read Michael Ruffin..
August 1st, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Here is a very interesting article on why the Boston deal makes sense for the Celts, and how it reflects the decreasing value of first-round draft picks.
The key point is that picks in the first round get guaranteed contracts for 3-4 years, yet a pick from the 2d half of round 1 is not much more likely to be successful in the league than a pick from the 1st half of round 2 — and round 2 players come with no risk in case they don’t work out, because their salaries are negotiable and don’t need to be guaranteed.
Very very interesting perspective! In fact, Andray Blatche is one of his key examples.
Looking at Dave Berri’s recent posts on the Wages of Wins blogs (start here) gives us a little more background on why this might be so. For one thing, rookies that don’t post good numbers their first year rarely ever succeed in the league — this is not blah blah, guys, it’s empirical studies by an economist. I would love it if Ernie became a disciple of the Wages of Wins guys.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:35 PM
Time to sign Booth. Minimum for a 9 year veteran is $1.1M. The Wiz should offer him that. We can still offer Boston a center. We just happen to have one (or two) for them.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:46 PM
What’s happening w/ Boston is fascinating!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:18 PM
We have 10 players under contract. Presuming JCN’s rights go for a draft pick, rather than part of a trade, my nominations for the others are:
Blatche
McGuire
Miles
Hall
Booth
In order of importance.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:05 PM
I heard the offer for Blatche changes to 5 years 12.5 mil..
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:14 AM
Yeah he’s still mulling it over. He’s holding out for a lot considering he’s only showed flashes of a great player. He should take the money…
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:13 AM
I hope he takes it. That would sure ease our ability to sign our other guys, presuming that the contract contains raises, making his first year salary very affordable.
The Post says McGuire signed - for THREE years. That’s also good news.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:01 AM
If 5years/12.5m is what’s on the table for Andray, then he’s start at about 1.7m. This is more or less what I suggested — a deal similar to one for a relatively high first round draft pick. I bet there’ll be an ability for him to opt out.
Great news about McGuire — he is going to be a really good pro!
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:02 AM
The Celtics want Mutombo. I hope we are trying to get him here instead. That would be a great signing for the Wizards.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:31 AM
I have to say, I can’t keep my mind off the Celtics trade. If it works, it changes the way I think about things.
Ask yourself, would you have been willing to give Jamison, Butler, Blatche, McGuire and 2 first round picks for Garnett? Does that seem about equivalent to what the Celtics gave for him? Would the Wizards that resulted from this trade have a shot at a title?
Weigh in on this, please.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Blatche will start at a bit less then 2.2M. Only 8% non-compounded raises remember.
So Year 1: ~ 2.2
Year 2: ~ 2.376
Year 3: ~ 2.552
Year 4 ~ 2.728
Year 5 ~ 2.94
Total ~ 12.8
So, maybe it’ll be about 2.18?
I’d say no if I was him and try to get Wash to at least drop the years involved.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Tom,
Your trade sounds equivalent to what Minnesota got for him. Butler is an all-star while AlJeff isn’t quite yet. Blatche has more promise then Green. Plus Butler has more years left on his contract then AlJeff. AntJam is a better player and more cap relief then Rat, Telfair and Gomes. The picks aren’t as good though and would come later.
That said, I don’t think that Arenas, Stevenson, and KG could win a title. Especially as we wouldn’t have a SF. I don’t make that trade if I’m Washington. I think Wash would actually be worse because of it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 AM
How about this trade: Antawn Jamison, Etan Thomas, Juan Carlos Navarrro, 2008 and 2010 protected first for Jermaine O’Neal and David Harrison.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Blatche should sign a one year deal and become a UFA next season. And if he proves himself, then he can get a deal.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Right — it’s interesting that it makes Ainge’s trade for Ray Allen look good. When that trade happened, I thought it was a mistake for Boston.
Interesting that you say Blatche has more promise than Green. Weren’t they both picked out of high school and in the same year? Green in the lottery, and Blatche at the end of the 2d round? Good work, Ernie!
The East is definitely going to be unpredictable this year.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 AM
odawg — Thing is, Blatche’s agent doesn’t have much leverage w/ no one making any kind of offer. On the other hand, we don’t want him to become unrestricted, so everyone needs for there to be a deal.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Wasn’t Blatche projected to be a first rounder and just happened to plummet?
I think Blatche would make more money if he decided to become an unrestricted FA. He takes 1M this year and if he does well could easily get 3 yrs and 15M. I wouldn’t want to sign for 5 yrs and 15M. If nothing else, I’d rather take 3 years and 9m. That way he still has two big contracts left in him instead of one.
But maybe he might find that if he goes unrestricted that he won’t get much playing time next year. I wouldn’t be happy if I was Blatche.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 PM
The heat made it 2 the confrence finals with only Oneal & Wade so with 3 players of that nature , its not unrealistic Boston could take the east.. We dont see everything EG,EJ,and other personel see so maybee we do have some type of presence that we as fans dont yet know about.. Or at least thats what im hoping.. Boston, Detroit, & Miami are still atop the east( I hate Clevland.. They got lucky). So maybee they got this thing under raps ,but I wouldnt mind adding another pressence in the post since its a possibility we will lose 2 (ET,Haywood,or Ruffin)
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:42 PM
i thought today was the day we had to make a deal on JCN or tomorrow one ?
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:14 PM
No, Tom, I wouldn’t make that trade. It might get us another round into the playoffs but sacrifices too much future potential. And the goal is the conference championship.
Depends on what Blatche values. If he’s confident in his ability and money is his objective, it doesn’t make sense to tie himself down for more than 3 years. I’m really happy no one has apparently come forward with a big offer. Blatche could be a bust but he seems also to have the natural ability to be a star. I’d hate to have to take a risk by matching a big offer.
What’s a “protected” first round pick, as opposed to any other? Someone splain me please.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Protected means that it’s Lottery Protected. So if your team tanks and you get a lottery pick, you don’t have to give it up but you can trade next years instead. Protected Picks are generally either lottery protected, top-ten protected, or top three protected.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Blatche came right out of high school; he was thought highly of but not projected to be a first round pick because of his youth. Note that he was chosen one pick after Ryan Gomes, who has been a starter since his rookie year.
Again, if I’m Ernie, I value AB the way I would a mid-first round pick this year. That’s the kind of money he’s worth in my opinion. If he’d gone to college and done well, then come out this year, he would have been a lottery pick.
But, he didn’t, and he also didn’t burn up the league his first two years. He isn’t even 21 yet; he hasn’t proven anything yet. Don’t over-value this kid! He’s not worth a lot of $$.
If the Wizards are offering 5 years, that means they’ll back off to 4 years. $10m or less for 4 years; that’s as far as I’d go.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Thanks odawg. Now it makes sense.
Yes, Wizards4Life, according to FC Barcelona, the Wiz are supposed to make something happen today or tomorrow or forget it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:56 PM
I have to say, I can’t keep my mind off the Celtics trade. If it works, it changes the way I think about things. -Tom
I wouldnt make that trade. If you consider arenas production and pierce roughly the same. The combination of the other pieces won us more games and took us farthe so i’d consider the rest of the pieces slightly greater. . Jamison and Butler is a little better than jefferson and gomez so in terms of top two players we are giving up possibly more.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h.cgi?req=1&playoffs=N&p1=jamisan01&p2=jeffeal01
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h.cgi?req=1&playoffs=N&p1=butleca01&p2=gomesry01
Looking at the top two players numbers on either team I realize I wouldnt give up caron and jamison for garnett and I wouldnt give up gomez and jefferson for KG too. This without adding any other piece. Look how well gomez does in games where he plays enough minutes and gets shots
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/ryan_gomes/game_by_game_stats.html
Look at how he destroyed minnesota later on in the season
Look at Big al’s numbers
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/al_jefferson/game_by_game_stats.html
Mcguire = green , blatche is going to be better than the next piece. Ratliff was injured last year and telfair was about to be dumped by boston so theres no loss to them there.
There’s these pieces and draft picks meaning all the good players you spent money to research and develop arent going to be utilized and theres no young core thats costing you little money.
The only reason bostons new unit looks good is because they traded jeff green for ray allen. On top of this giving up two first round picks over this for one player seems a little much. They may do well but I think they could also have done just as well with big al, ray allen, gerald green, pierce and gomez. Big al has really good numbers in his third season. He’s a 20-10 guy who in head to head matches with garnett performs well when their minutes are about even.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h.cgi?req=1&playoffs=N&p1=jeffeal01&p2=garneke01
Yeah I wouldnt give up all that for kg. I absolutely refuse to give all that up
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:11 PM
Blacthe will sign with Boston for league minimun so he can have his chance to play with KG.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:49 PM
On Washington Post Live, there is breaking news that Andray Blatche got arrested.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:56 PM
They say Andray got arrested for solicitation.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:58 PM
no AB cant sign with Boston for LM because we can match any offer and Bun thats some news i did not see lol
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:02 PM
OMG i just heard what they got him for but i am not going to say it lol
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:23 PM
I’ll say it. He got arrested for soliciting a prostitue. One night without his mentor Harvey Grant and he gets in trouble..
He’s a young millionaire. He doesn’t have to pay for it..
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:22 PM
I was just joking about the boston thing, but I can’t believe he think he has to pay for what comes so free in the nba. What a dumb a**.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:39 PM
Don’t resign Blatche, he is going to be trouble and not worth the money. If he is stupid enough to pay for sex when there is plenty of gold diggers out there then he isn’t smart enough to do what he needs to do on the court. Just think what he would do with all those millions. He already got shot, now sex, maybe drugs next? How dumb can you be to get in this kind of trouble when your trying to get a big contract.
Let Him GO!
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:05 PM
at least he did not try to take it like kobe!
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:11 PM
Oh, the nincompoop! He just cost himself a bundle of $$.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:30 PM
NINCOMPOOP
FOOL
IDIOT
On the one hand, maybe this means we can sign him for less.
On the other hand, maybe he hasn’t learned his lesson and will be more trouble in the future.
I wonder if EG will pull back his offer.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:29 PM
To top it off the woman was an undercover cop. I wander how Abe is going to handle this since he doesn’t like this type of behavior on his team. Remember what happened to Webber?
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:58 PM
Anything New on the JCN front?
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:15 PM
Can’t understand how he can’t get enough for free. Or maybe is was just the thrill of the illicit sex.
Better that than getting shot.
He’s on a team with, as far as I know, pretty straight arrows. Hope he can fit in.
That is, if he hasn’t queered his deal here.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:51 PM
Guys.. He may have really done himself in with the Wizards, but, he is a kid. A stupid kid I’ll admit, but, a kid just the same. I hope this doesn’t hurt him to badly professionally.
Americangaw… anything new on the JCN front? Might be now?
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:57 PM
The timing of the incident was horrible for him! Maybe not so horrible for the Wizards if they are willing to look past his getting shot and his hormones? Could there be a good enough deal worked out with him that Mr. Navarro could also join us? I doubt it, but, it’s at least food for thought.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:52 AM
today’s the JCN deadline i wonder if barcelona is bluffing about this deadline. well no blatche so what next?
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:07 AM
Here’s Ivan on Andray Blatche.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 AM
This will be a interesting day for us bloggers. In light of AB arrest for solicitation and the possible deadline for trading or keeping JCN. I feel for AB because if everything is true then this puts his contract negotiations on hold. In light of that should EG or JCN ask FC Barcelona for another week in regards to his being possibly traded or signed by the Wiz?
If it were me I would sign JCN and make a decision whether to keep AB or let him go.
If I decide to keep AB then I could trade JCN later on. I could still use JCN or AB to package with ET, AD or JCN in a future trade.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 AM
I agree with GrifonRacing. Bad timing for him. Good for the Wizards. I think they will still sign him. I’m not a lawyer but I think solicitation is a misdemeanor. In the Washington Post they said that he missed a court date. Both of those charges are small comparing to other NBA players.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 AM
disregard my typo on the last line.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:48 AM
There’s no way that Blatche is thinking clearly right now. He’s probably extremely nervous and stressed trying to figure out whether he should take this contract. And after another night where he was too tired to sleep, he probably decided he needed a bit of help.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t encourage this sort of behavior. But nobody made me the morality police and in this society, this really isn’t a big deal.
The offer isn’t going to be pulled back although it might drop to a 5 Yr 10M or so (how much lower can it drop though), but it will destroy any leverage he has.
Now we know why Cleveland and New Jersey were talking about offering him 5 yrs and 25M and why they didn’t.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:17 AM
Thanks, Tom, for the link to Ivan Carter’s column. That really fills in the background on Blatche. I’m decidedly unenthusiastic about this guy now. More for his lack of dedication than anything else. He may never reach his potential.
But we still don’t have enough money to sign Navarro.
Presuming Blatche signs for what EG offered him, I say trade him and Navarro’s rights for Mr. Wonderful.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Ivan’s column gives us all the more reason not sign AB. The bottom line is he is reckless and has no desire to become a great player. You can have all the talent and skills you want but at this level if you don’t have the desire to push yourself then you will be another Kwame Brown! I hope the Wizards let him go, yes he has some potential but he has even more potential to self destruct at this stage.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Isn’t there a clic with Blatche, Haywood and somebody else? Anyone know who the third player is?
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Yes. Kwame Brown. They hang with Ron Artest, too. Maybe one or two other undisciplined idiots.
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:54 PM
The big difference being that Artest is a tremendous basketball player and has a ton of life skills in other areas as well. RA has been in Africa this summer doing some good, not goofing off.
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:34 PM
This inceident with Blatche may be a blessing in disguise. At least he didn’t get shot this time, even though NBA players seem to be marked men these days for being robbed at gunpoint. Maybe the shock and humiliation will motivate him to change his life and use the gifts God gave him.
As far as solicitation is concerned, people from all walks off life get caught doing it. That doesn’t make it right at all, though and it is right that he got dinged.
We’ll see how this plays out with the contract negotiations. I’m sure if there was any interest in Andray from other teams, it probably dried up. He may come much cheaper now.
As far as the JCN situation goes, it looks like there will be no trade. Sometimes the best trades are the ones that are not made. Besides, EG has cleaned the clock of every GM he trades with, so I am sure the other GM’s are a little gun shy about striking a deal with him.
Can any of the bloggers explain to me why Bryant was allow to play while indicted for rape, yet Vick is suspended for being indicted for dogfighting? Are crimes against dogs more serious than crimes against women? Our priorities seem out of whack these days.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:17 PM
ChenierFan… IMO Roger Goodell is making a stand against players that get in trouble with the legal system. He seems to be taking a very no nonsense approach. David Stern would rather keep his “money players” playing and generating league revenue. Other than disciplining players for beating up fans he really doesn’t take a very active stand on player conduct by comparison.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:23 PM
Has anyone heard anything about the JCN situation today. I’ve been reading everything I can read and so far no news at all. Does “no news” mean he goes back to Europe?
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:44 PM
JCN is going to the Griz for a protected 1st round pick!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:53 PM
What do the Wiz get if the Griz wind up in the lottery again?
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:42 PM
nothing if they hit it year after year we get it like 3 years later whether there in it or not but i think its only the top 3 picks anything under that is fair game
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:18 PM
ChenierFan (and everyone else), read Ivan Carter’s column on Blatche. Click on “Andray Blatche” in Tom Mandel’s post at 7AM this morning. I don’t think you’ll be defending Blatche after you read that column.
I doubt if the guy has ever worked as hard as I did to make my HS B team. I’m thoroughly PO’d at him. As every other athlete wannabe must be.
americangaw, where did you hear that? Sure it’s true?
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:27 PM
repost: posted in wrong thread
we can use this pick into getting an Al Jefferson…we can offer all our three picks and maybe AD or BH for Al Jefferson…or we can try to get Chris Wilcox or even LaMarcus Aldridge with all of these picks…it neccesarily doesnt have to be one of these players i wouldnt mind Camby or another good player suchs as Emeka…and Roy Hibbert…he will drop that low..there are about 3 center rated better than him and if doesnt drop as i said there are still 3 more to chose from
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 PM
and Ivan Carter from Wizards Indsider at the Washington Post is reporting this
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 PM
I didn’t realize that deal had been finalized.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Alright, now what about our trading our rights to match any offer for Blatche for yet another first round pick? No reason why that’s not legal. Then next year we should be able to either draft Mr. Wonderful with one of our picks or trade 2 for 1 to get high enough to do so.
August 4th, 2007 at 1:47 AM
it seems we got a fair price for Navarro, but i don’t think we can get much for AB. It seems that the Wiz are removing the 12.5 million offer. It will be interesting to see if they just let him go or resign him at a much better price. I personally wouldn’t give AB more than a 3 year deal at a million a yr. We all know he has potential to be a good player but I don’t see him ever being more than a good rebounder. Also since we couldn’t trade Etan with Navarro, I don’t see any minutes for Blatche. The Wizards may want to try and trade Etan to the Clippers now that Brand will be out most of the season. Plus Etan is really a PF playing center.
August 4th, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I would like to see the Wiz sign Blatche. Then package him with Thomas in a trade to someone like the Clippers. I don’t think Blatche will contribute to the work ethic we need to move up. And we certainly have enough good PF’s, especially with another (Veeremenko) coming next year.
I don’t think Etan has a dependable jump shot, or can drive to the basket, or keep most PF’s from driving around him. I think he’s comfortable with his back to the basket and he plays better there. He rebounds as well as most taller centers and is difficult to keep from scoring when he gets the ball down low. Plus, we already have plenty of PF’s.
August 4th, 2007 at 5:28 PM
wasnt one of the concerns about blatche from the beginning was his work ethic. he was a first round talent but fell to us in the 2nd
August 4th, 2007 at 7:54 PM
I didn’t realize that stevevu. Well, he ain’t reformed.
August 5th, 2007 at 7:34 AM
neal — who do you want off the clippers roster? (given that we aren’t getting Elton)
August 5th, 2007 at 2:29 PM
I’m not up on the other teams like most of you guys, but just from reviewing their roster it would have to be Chris Kaman. What do you think? What are the chances of our making a trade with them? Who do we give them?
August 5th, 2007 at 3:34 PM