Comment from aznzero
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:15 AM

very happy about this. i loved how ernie didn’t waste anytime to resign the captain. How can you not sign a 20 and 10 guy?

Anyword about Gilbert? When’s his flight to China?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:21 AM

It was supposedly at 9 this morning.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM

Thing is, I was expecting some drama, some excitement, at least some uncertainty to fuel the fires of speculation. We didn’t even get to worry and wonder *over night.*

Way to go, Ernie!!

Comment from Jheiser3
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:23 AM

Getting plenty of drama with Gilbert.

Am I the only one who look s at JaVale McGee and sees Tim Meadows aka “The Ladies Man”?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:33 AM

jheiser i heard people saying a young Obama…

I definitely think we will get some drama from Gil… but in the end it will be all good.

Comment from wizkid034
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Signing AJ was a given. He loves Washington, and we LOVE him. I just do not see how you let the heart and soul of the team walk. Bottom line is AJ will retire a Wizard…I like the ring of that!

As for Gil, I am expecting drama. I suspect we will here more about the Arenas to GS or Sac-town, but in the end he will sign with the Wiz. I was reading Ivan Carter this morning and he said the Wiz have offered Gil the max of 6 years for $124 mil. However, Gil is considering signing for under the max so EG can continue to add another piece or two (including possibly resigning RMJ).

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:59 AM

Can we sign both Gilbert and Elton Brand?
That would be a dream come true.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 1, 2008 at 12:01 PM

Gilbert aint giving any money back. Don’t fall for that. He wants a Max contract. It’s a status thing. The NBA is all about Status.

Comment from Rook
Time July 1, 2008 at 12:51 PM

Jheiser3 Says: “Am I the only one who look s at JaVale McGee and sees Tim Meadows aka “The Ladies Man”?”

Actually, I see a 7-ft Barack Obama

Comment from Rook
Time July 1, 2008 at 12:53 PM

jmpalomo Says: “Can we sign both Gilbert and Elton Brand?”

Apparently you don’t know much about the NBA Salary Cap rules…. but to be short and sweet…. NO

Comment from jhough813
Time July 1, 2008 at 1:37 PM

I think Gilbert is going to let the contract talks go for a little while just because he loves people talking about him, but I’ve got to admit that seeing ESPN actually do pieces on the Wiz is refreshing. And let’s be honest, why in the hell would Gil want to go to Golden State where they have absolutely no shot of breaking through in the West? The Celtics and Pistons are getting old and it’s time for some new teams to settle on top in the East.

Comment from jhough813
Time July 1, 2008 at 1:40 PM

P.S. I think McGee is going to be real nice in a couple of years. Just watching his highlights you can see that he puts all of his effort out there, especially on the defensive end. With him, Haywood, and Blatche manning the middle, that’s a pretty formidable defensive presence down low. Sorry to all of the Etan fans, I kind of just want to see him gone because he’s taking up way too much cap space.

Comment from dmac
Time July 1, 2008 at 1:50 PM

Rook you are on it.
Rumors on hoopsworld say Elton and Baron have talked about taking less money 13 mil. each for Elton to stay with the Clippers. Baron then would sign with the Clippers.
I don’t really see Gil going back to GS when there is more talent and a chance to go to a championship with the Wiz.

Tom, SportzWiz, Jheiser will the NBA bargaining agreement allow a player to renegotiate their contract to take a lower salary to help sign other players like the NFL?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 1, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Presser finished up. Mr. Pollin spoke as well as Ernie, no discussion on Gil per league rules of the 10 day moratorium on free agency. We’ll have video shortly.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM

Prima dona Gilbert getting hammered on the John Thompson show today.
Callers were KILLING him.
Signing a player who plays absolutely “NO DEFENSE” for that kind of money.
Then not signing immediately a $120 million + contract.

Someone came up with a good substituel
Okafur and Monte Ellis instead of signing Gilbert

Me personally, I’ll sign and trade Elton Brand for a hurt Gilbert Arenas.

A front court of Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Elton Brand.
Wow. The wiz would kick some serious booty.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 1, 2008 at 4:04 PM

Come on Ernie, do whats right for the Franchise.
Pull the offer to Gilbert.
Someone who is holding the Wizards hostage after being offered a $120,000,000 contract is absolutely self absorbed. He can score at will but also let the other teams guards score at will.
Not to mention that Caron plays like a wimp when Gilbett is on the floor, but plays like a MAN when Gilbett is not playing.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM

Please Gilbert, take our $120,000,000. You deserve it! You are the greatest basketball player on the planet. Please take our money.
Oh, you want to wait until you get back from vacation. Whatever you want Gilbert. You are the best. We just don’t know what we will do without such a great player.
Thank you for giving us the priviledge to pay you $120,000,000.
You are the Wizards, Gilbert! Thank you.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM

i agree that we shouldnt give 120,000,000 but i would not sign and trade him for elton brand…….sure the guy is a 20 and 10 guy but he has also been injury prone his whole career, so why not just sign gil at the lowest salary gil would accept and keep him?? i mean at least he would be comfortable with the team and rotation and stuff whereas bringing in elton would be bringing in a crippled stranger 2 the team which could hurt us

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM

Take it easy on Gilbert, guys. You don’t know what he is thinking, and neither do I — but I doubt it’s about Golden State. Been there, done that.

I’m sure that the statement by Mr. Pollin and offer to max him out were important to Gilbert — a big expression of support. All the same, he may well be thinking about signing for less money, so that the team has some flexibility. Gilbert has a lot of other sources of income.

Knowing what we know about him (quirky, one-of-a-kind guy), I wouldn’t be surprised.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM

Just watched the press conference — a love fest! I would have liked to hear Abe and Ernie speak. Abe is looking somewhat frail; I know we all wish him and his family the very best. What a great owner he is — and what a great citizen he is!

Comment from neal
Time July 1, 2008 at 5:49 PM

Did Arenas really turn down $120M? Says who?

Did you guys see the article in the Post this morning? We get a real plus with McGee. If he gets hurt his mom can come in for him. What’s not to like about that? Rook, is there anything in the CBA that prohibits this? Somebody tell us whether she plays center. Eddie, you better run her through some drills – she may be rusty. Talk about something to put butts in the seats. I think I’m onto something. Agent Zero, you’re so yesterday, man.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 1, 2008 at 6:49 PM

I’ve suggested *several times* (ok, only twice) that we hire Pamela McGee as an assistant coach. ;>

To no one’s surprise, Calderon and the Raptors agreed to a deal today.

I think what happened w/ Gilbert was something like this: Mr. Pollin told him we’d go all the way with him, whatever it takes for him to stay, up to and including a max deal. “But, if we max you out, Gil, that really makes it hard for us to do any other deals, not just this year but for several years. It puts us over the luxury limit and means we can’t re-sign Roger or get any FAs next summer or the following one.”

Ok, then Gil looks at the fact that Antawn just signed for less than he could have gotten elsewhere, and remembers all the things he has said about trying to win a championship, and he says “Mr. Pollin, thank you for your support; it means a lot to me. Let me think about everything while I’m on the plane in the morning and we’ll keep talking and get something done.”

That’s where we are, I’m pretty sure of it.

Comment from jhough813
Time July 1, 2008 at 7:34 PM

I’m sick of all the Gilbert bashing. Why don’t you just let our guys play a whole season together and then be the judge? Antawn and 2/3 of a season Caron led us to 43 wins this year and when they’re all together it’s going to be over 50. Of course the Wiz are going to play differently with Gil in the lineup but there is no chance that we are better without him. Just give our guys time to get healthy and play together again. I hate fairweather fans.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 1, 2008 at 8:33 PM

Guys n Gals — Baron Davis has verbally agreed to sign a contract with the Clippers worth 65 mil over 5 years. Talk about being cheaper than Arenas, and still compete at or even above his level. — Click Here –

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 1, 2008 at 8:59 PM

Tom i hope your right and that sounds like what a good guy would do is take time to look at the team and his self to find that right number for both partys and all this is crazy anyway i dont think i could ever spend 100 mil even if i tried too waist it

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 1, 2008 at 9:02 PM

guys the date july 1st does not just mean free agents. Trades can be done as well and I think that is what EG is planning right now. He is gonna get jamison and gil done (jamison already) and then start making or trying to make deals. Now dont ask me because i will get into trade mode and my trades will become unbearable. So…if you want propose your own trades but make them reasonable and no Sign and trades involving gilbert or any of the “big 3″.

Comment from neal
Time July 1, 2008 at 9:14 PM

I hope the Wiz aren’t taking the big 3 out of trade possibilities. No one is indispensible. I trust EG will listen to whoever calls. But I have no reason to think Grunfeld is “trying to make deals”. The only player we have any indication he’d go out of his way to trade is Thomas, but no one wants Thomas at his salary.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 1, 2008 at 9:38 PM

wizbulletman0 — C’Mon man let us know your thoughts, you always have some interesting one’s. Me for one trade our garbage for anothers team solutions, and thats not happening.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:02 PM

Actually the scuttlebutt on Arenas (WashTimes, Wiznsider and elsewhere) is that he will likely wait ’til the salary cap figures are released to decide on a deal and discuss then with Ernie what kind of figures will still leave the Wiz enough room to sign players and contend.

He’s gonna make a ton of money but remember the guy is a fan like the rest of us, loves to be seen as the ‘people’s champ’ and will clearly take note of his pal BDiddy signing for less (ditto Brand) and catching admiration from fans league-wide.

The Wiz had to offer a max as soon as Diddy opted out of his contract, otherwise they lose him for nothing, but taking him at his word (he’d sign for less to ink Jamison, sign for less to be on a contender) he can look at the appreciation and respect in the gesture of a Max deal and still ink a deal that means he’s not locked into a losing team with no room to maneuver. The kid likes to win.

Relax people. It’s way easy to panic, but doesn’t do you any good one way or the other. Wait ’til the cap figures are released. Wait for Gil to sign. Then panic. There’s plenty of time left in the offseason.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:07 PM

I agree with jhough813. Why all the Gilbert bashing? I guess the nba is really a what have you done for me lately type of league. I mean the guy is injured for 1 season, and a quarter of another, and suddenly everyone thinks the wizards are better off without him. What!? I don’t understand that. The wizards have their big 3 with Arenas, Jamison, and Butler. If one of them were to get injured, the team would still play well, because there would still be 2 other stars players there to pick up the slack, and lead the team. Like when Gil re-injured his knee this season, you just knew the wizards would still make the playoffs, because we still had 2 star players playing. Those are the benefits of having 3 star players on one team. (some teams are lucky just to have 1 star player).
While I think Butler, and Jamison are stars, Gilbert is a superstar. By superstar I mean, teams have to gameplan for this guy, and know where he is at on the court at all times. We are talking about a guy coming off 3 consecutive all star appearances, with the ability to go get 30 points, and atleast 5 assists a game. These types of players dont just come around often. Franchise players are tough to find, and I feel that Gil is, and should continue to be the wizards franchise player. Before Gil injured his knee we were at one point the 1 seed in the east, and headed for a 50 plus win season. That shows you what the big 3 can do when healthy. We also must keep in mind we really have only had Gil healthy for 2 postseasons, because he’s been injured the last two. So lets leave Elton Brand, and Baron Davis alone. Let’s get Gil signed, so we can keep the big 3 together, and win some championships. This team is certainly capable of it.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:09 PM

You are saying essentially the same thing I said — in other words… I agree with you!

As far as the “fair weather fans” stuff, jhough, put it in a can please.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 1, 2008 at 10:48 PM

Point Guard, You are eactly in my line of thought. People have short and selective memories. Gilbert Arenas is calm, cool, confident, and smart when he has the ball. Not many players are like that. I think of Kobe, Lebron, Kidd, Baron Davis, Paul Pierce, KG, AI, Steve Nash, and several others that are like him but he does it with flair.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Great to have our Captain resigned. The one guy that is our very backbone. On and off the court.

Wizbulletman I doubt you are going to see any Wizards trades this off season. I know, boring, but probably how it’s going to be. Unless something out of the blue happens with Gilbert.

Point Guard… you may not read the prior thread again so I’ll say HI here lol. You are kinda new here so don’t let the “Gilbert, Haywood, Roger, et all” bashing bother you. WE all want Gilbert back no matter what is said. In the off-season bloggers on this site tend to dream the impossible dream (that was a song wasn’t it?). After all, that is what these forums are all about. All good folks and all die hard Wizards fans

Doc, I was ok until you said what you said. Now I’m not sure of something. Can we offer a player a max contract (or any number), then after the luxury/salary cap numbers come out negotiate a contract for less? Is that allowed as long as nothing has been officially signed?

I heard today on local DC news station WTOP that Ernie had offered Gilbert 6 years and 127 mil. That’s the most I’ve heard from a fairly reliable source.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM

Hi GrifonRacing. Thanks for the welcome.
Although I’m new to the blog, Ive been reading it for a while, so I pretty much know how most of the wiz fans feel about some of the teams issues.
The Arenas bashing didn’t really bother me.
I just wanted to state why I felt Gilbert should remain a wizard, and the importance of keeping the big 3 together.

Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:37 AM

Hi all,
Very late to the party as usual. In fact, wonder who will see this at all…

Thank you, Mr. Pollin. Having Antwan back makes us a winning team. His leadership is invaluable.

To all of you speculating on Gilbert, I think you should go back and listen to Antwan. He always says what he thinks and he has been pretty on target in the past. If Antwan thinks Gil is coming back, so do I.

Oh, and if Gilbert says that he’d take less money, I’d believe that too. Gilbert wants to win, but be respected. Gilbert seems to be very clear in his thinking about things. I am sure he has thought through exactly what he wants to do. Frankly, going on his trip is a clear sign that he is not worried about this. I think the Wizards said clearly that Gil deserves the respect of a max contract and I believe Gil is wise enough to do what is best for him and the team.

Now, the part I am hoping someone reads:

Last summer, the kid and I went on a campaign to raise the image and get people to cheer on Brendan (much as we did trying to get people to see that Roger Mason, Jr. deserved some love). We said clearly, that even though Etan is the Kid’s absolute favorite player (even waiting in the screaming hot sun to get a picture with him at the Bar-b-que Battle), that having Brendan play as the clear center would do great things for us. Brendan playing well would be a great boost for our team and giving him some respect and cheers, rather than calling him names, would do our team some good. I think we called that pretty well.

We now want to turn our attention to Etan. Ok, his contract is big, but his ability to make us even better than last year is even bigger. Fact is, if we continue to develop our defensive rotations and wheel people into a clogged up middle, Etan is going to rack up some huge blocks per game. Brendan did very well with this last year, and Etan is a better shot blocker (and perhaps rebounder). (Tom, I am sure there are some stats that would prove or disprove this…) We are not saying that Brendan should get less minutes or that he should not be seen as our starting center-without question. He has earned that right. We are saying that having Etan as the second team center is a great, great thing for our team. So, as we said with Brendan last year, get on the Etan band wagon.

Comment from jsuh0
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:55 AM

PLEASE do not resign gilbert. i would MUCH rather go for a young memphis PG like kyle lowry or javaris crittenton bc AD is gettin pretty old. i really like lowry’s game, his pass first style would benefit our team tremendously

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:17 AM

Hi WizFan and the Kid. Hope she got Etan’s autograph. If not we gotta work on that starting real soon.

I think Etan’s sternum, given almost a year off, will be just fine this upcoming season. He “definately” plays into the mix at the 5 where we just seem to keep getting stronger. Brendan came to play last year. If Hopla can work with Etan in the same manner he will be the “force” he was in college.

If McGee develops quiclky (got a feeling he might) we will have a very stong frontcourt this upcoming season.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 6:53 AM

Re: Brendan and Etan — Brendan is at his best when he gets about 30 minutes plus a game. Our problem last year was the fall-off when he went out.

By the numbers, Etan is just about as productive as Brendan. If he is healthy, we will see an upgrade at the 5. As long as we avoid some kind of debilitating “competition” to be the starter.

About Gilbert — I described above what I think is going on. Basically, the max offer takes care of his need to be loved/respected/valued. He’ll sign for less to keep the team salary structure healthy.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 6:54 AM

Given Gilbert’s return, what other moves will there be? We have to decide about Roger. He “deserves some love” as wizfan says above. But, will there be minutes for him? Would we be better off signing a bigger wing player?

What do you all think?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:35 AM

Brendan and Etan’s numbers:

For their careers, Brendan and Etan are virtually indistinguishable statistically, w/ Etan having the slightest of edges overall. But, Brendan greatly improved his FT % last year, so the edge goes away.

Etan scores and rebounds a little more, but he also fouls and turns it over a little more and comes up w/ fewer steals and assists.

(As a point of comparison, Sam Dalembert of the Sixers is more productive than either of them, because he rebounds and blocks more. Now, rebounding is somewhat subject to the law of diminishing returns (there are only so many potential rebounds — if the guy at 4 is an *excellent* rebounder, as Antawn is, there are fewer available for other players. Dalembert also makes more $$ than either of them.)

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:35 AM

Point is… if they’re both healthy, we’re ok at Center.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:37 AM

Tom I hope you are right about Gil and just offering him the max will show him that the Wizards respect his game.

Far as Roger Mason it looks like the Nets have him on the top of there list.

” The Nets have a list of about 20 names, mainly wings, and near the top is Roger Mason, a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 8.0 points with Washington last season, when he made a minimum $770,610. Figure he’ll command in the $2.5 million range. ”

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07022008/sports/nets/nets_go_a_courtin_118140.htm

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:42 AM

jsuh0 — Kyle Lowry couldn’t beat out a rookie on one of the worst teams in the league. How good can he be? As to Crittenton, he couldn’t take minutes from Lowry! Come on.

Antonio had a *terrific* season last year and keeps himself in excellent shape. If there is one position we do *not* need to improve, it’s his. He started last season, and we won more games than the previous year.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:52 AM

millie mill — thanks for the link. I hope Roger gets a nice payday with us or wherever: he deserves it.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:52 AM

Did Antonio have offseason surgery on his finger or wrist or somthing? I remember somthing was bothering him at the end of the season and in the playoffs.

Comment from jhough813
Time July 2, 2008 at 8:28 AM

Hey Tom, I can say whatever I want about people being fairweather fans just like you can use all of these irrelevant numbers you crunch together to compare players and act like that makes you more knowledgeable than people who go off of watching the actual games. I stick by my statement of calling some people fairweather fans because every team has them. Everyone should get off Gil’s back and let him sign whatever the hell contract he wants. He’s earned whatever he gets and without him most of the people writing on this board wouldn’t even care about the Wiz.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:44 AM

Guys — If we cant win with the team we have. We might as well sign Gilby, and get it over with.

But, what we should be looking at is 2012 and 2013 — Guess who is going to be free-agents and are from DC — Yep. Durant and Beasley. We may even get Green.

2013 Starting Line-Up:

Gilbert (under contract) (hopefully, we have hit the lottery and got a monster PG)
Durant
Butler (we better resign him)
Beasley

Give them a DeSagana Diop (defender, shot-blocker, rebounder, banger) and we may contend for a couple of Championships?

Now someone please tell me im dreaming

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:45 AM

Oh yeah, and if we get Green — Can you say 6th Man of the Year?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:47 AM

Alright everyone relax a little bit .

last I heard millie mill, Antonio did not have surgery, it was a possibility but there was also the thought he would be ok with rest. If I hear more I will let you know.

Well it sounds like we will have some quiet on the Gil front for a couple weeks with him being out of the country, Summer league workouts will start late next week with the team arriving out in Vegas a couple days later.

As soon as we hear more on who will be on the team we will let you know, it sounds like Gary Forbes will play for the Wiz according to the Umass website. Forbes was one of the stars of the Orlando pre-draft camp.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:48 AM

your dreaming wiz-skins . One thing at a time how about that.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:52 AM

SportzWiz — It is a possibility. Remember how Durant and Beasley wanted to play together? What better place tan you hometown to play together? That would be awesome. By that time the cap sapce is gonna be at 100 mil probably. So we would have room to sign both of them and Jeff Green.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 2, 2008 at 10:30 AM

The Wizards are going to give $120 million dollars to a player we do not even know if he is totally heeled from his injury.
What if he is only 90% for the rest of his career.
That could be throwing away a whole lot of money plus putting the Wiz in a losing situation for the next 6 years.
30% of your salary cap would be spent on Gilbert.

Comment from Jheiser3
Time July 2, 2008 at 10:49 AM

Actually they offered that, I don’t believe that will be the final number. So don’t get ahead of yourself.

Gilbert at 90% is still quicker than most of the league, but could force him to distribute a bit more than go one on five. Team wins in that scenario. The only way his new contract could be considered money “thrown away” was if he was unable to play. Otherwise his presence guarantees they put butts in the seats and make money.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Beasley yes! Durant, not so much

jhough — I must be misunderstanding you. Are you saying that if we don’t re-sign Gil you are not going to be interested in the Wizards? — just joshing w/ you. You have a right to be passionate. That’s what being a fan means!

If we’re bringing Forbes into summer league, who else are we bringing in? And, are we thinking of inking a player to a low cost 15th man contract, if we can still stay under the luxury tax limit. Forbes *dominated* Orlando like no one has dominated it before. But, it’s a big step from the camp to the league.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM

Atlanta’s Josh Childress is a RFA. He is a terrific, and very underrated player. He wants to play on a contending team w/ good players (we fit) and to know his role (we’ve got one for him: 6th man — backing up the 2 and 3 positions).

Ernie has some kind of connection w/ him — I don’t remember what it is, but I do remember discussion about it the year he got drafted. I’m *sure* Ernie has his eye on him, although I don’t know whether we’ll have $$ for him, and I bet Atlanta would match most offers.

Comment from Rook
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:11 AM

Interesting that the Washington Times is reporting:
” the Wizards told their other unrestricted free agent, backup guard Roger Mason Jr., that they intended to re-sign him after Arenas. “

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:26 AM

I look for Toronto’s Carlos Delfino to be available — might be too high-priced for us, but he is an excellent player!

Comment from jhough813
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:28 AM

Sorry for taking it out on you Tom but I just get sick of people coming on here and bashing the Wiz. Someone mentioned something about Baron Davis signing for a lot less than we’re offering Gil and it ticked me off. B-Diddy is 3 years older than Gil and has never won much of anything himself while he in past years was getting paid a lot more. Show me anyone who’d rather watch him play over Arenas and I’ll show you a fool.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Mason hasn’t had any offers; I’m not sure why we don’t see what value someone else puts on him. Delfino and esp. Childress are obviously better players — but they would also be much more expensive. I haven’t watched Delfino close enough to say how good a defender he is. Rook, have you got any idea about this?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Tom, I would be surprised if they signed a 15th player to contract, because veterans make more and we will be right up at the lux cap.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:42 AM

Wow wiz-skins07. Already thinking ahead to the 2012-2013 Free agency. I heard of thinking ahead, but thats a little too far ahead right now. I just hope we can put a great team on the floor this season. But the possibility of getting Kevin Durant in the future is very interesting.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:49 AM

Tom Mandel:

Grunfeld’s connection with JChill was that his son and Childress were on the same team, he’s seen him play a ton and likes his game. I’d love to have him on the team, he’d be the equivalent of a hybrid of the best parts of Larry Hughes’ and Jared Jeffries’ games, could play the Big Guard role that Jeffries played, only he can hit a shot despite how ugly and awkward it is. Can play SF of course, rebounds well for his size, can score int h epaint and finish at the rim.

But Atlanta will pay to keep him so it’s unlikely at best.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:55 AM

That said I’m super excited about adding Gary Forbes to the SL roster, he was one of my desired picks in round 2, he’s got an advanced offensive skillset can score inside and out and carried a huge offensive load for UMass. Reminds me of CDR only tougher in traffic. Has a great slashing game.

Comment from jhough813
Time July 2, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Wiz-skins07, I don’t think there’s any chance that Durant would come here. He chose Texas over the Terps so I don’t think he’s all that concerned about whether he plays in his hometown.

Comment from jsuh0
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:07 PM

seriously. i am a WIZARDS fan, not just a GILBERT fan. the franchise comes first to me. Offering 127 millie to a (not) point guard with bad knees and crap defense? Our defensive approach last season without gilbert worked well! it was much more pleasureable to watch our team hold another under 85-90 points and squeeze out the victory, than to watch our 06-07 team have a 10 point lead in the 4th only to blow it away. gilbert gets people in seats, but hopefully, our up-n-coming star nickyoung will blossom into that all star that AD says hes gonna be. What im saying is, we should aquire a young, pass-first/defensive PG and add a good role player or two to make this team go farther in the playoffs

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:19 PM

jsuh0, I have watched Kyle Lowry play, and I am very impressed with the intensity he plays with. He plays hard every single game. But at the same time he’s no where near Gil’s level. When need to get better, and keeping Gil makes us better. To get Lowry over Gil would be a huge downgrade.

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:26 PM

We are def bringing Gil back. I think we should go after Posey HARD. that brings defense, 3 pt shooting, and depth at the 3 spot which we really need

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:27 PM

POSEY

Comment from Rook
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Tom – Delfino is a 6’6 “tweener”. He made about $2 Million last year. A pretty good defender for a wing player (SF)… not so good when he’s playing Shooting Guard.. also a very good rebounder. He handles ball pretty well and is a good passer. Not a great outside shooter though…. especially not from 3-point land.

The Raptors may not match an offer to him…. he’s not high on their list to retain. However, if Delfino does not get a fairly substantial offer, he may go overseas where he CAN make decent money.

If the Wizards could pick him up on the cheap, he would be a good addition; but I doubt he’d be available for the $2-$3 Million the Wizards will have available.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:34 PM

jhough — not to worry! We’re all friends and fans here, and we can take a little difference of opinion w/o getting too up-tight.

SportsWiz — obviously, if it takes us into luxury tax territory it would be stupid to sign someone like Forbes (or Lofton, or any of the guys we were juggling in our fevered brains prior to the draft). For one thing, you pay twice as much for the guy w/ the tax, and even more importantly you forfeit your share of the tax as it’s distributed to non-violating teams at the end of the season. Would make *no sense* I agree.

But… if we have lets say 1/2m to spare short of tax territory, it would make *great* sense — if someone impresses. The money is not an issue to speak of and the asset might wind up being worth something.

As you know my critique of the just-passed draft was not getting value for #47 — value that can grow I mean (we did get some cash). Portland got the Clippers round 2 choice next year for pick #55 this year. Miami got a Cleveland round 2 choice for #52. Picks and players are the source of value.

Probably academic, as we’re lucky if we slide in under the luxury tax tag by a dollar!

Comment from Rook
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:44 PM

Point Guard – I’d love to get Lowry too… but it just won’t work…. The Wizards don’t have anything Memphis needs… (that works salary wise) to make a direct player for player trade. (Except Pecherov….. but PLEASE… No one wants Pech – yet )

And, unless the Wizards could put together a package (perhaps with a 3rd team) that allowed Memphis to get rid of Antoine Walker’s huge contract (4-years left, almost $40 Million) – it’s will be nearly impossible to obtain Lowry.

Memphis WILL trade one of their young Point Guards (Lowry, Crittendon or Conley), but not to the Wizards…

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:44 PM

It doesn’t matter how much money we will have left after signing Gil. Unless everyone forgot we have a midlevel exemptions that doesn’t count on the luxury tax theshold. Its the whole point of what are we going to do 2 to 3 years down the line when Caron, Nick Young, and Dominic’s contracts are up.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Thanks DocLinkin and Rook for the juicy info on Childress and Delfino.

Josh Childress would be a *huge* upgrade to our team. Add that guy and we are as good as the Pistons, maybe better. Maybe if the Hawks have to spend a fortune to re-sign Smith, they’ll let him walk? Naw, not going to happen.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:46 PM

It’s hard to think about Mason or another 14th player until we resolve w/ Gil. If he gets max, there is no 14th.

If not, the particulars of the deal tell us if we have flexibility to look at someone like Childress, or we can only re-sign Roger, or have to go for a veteran minimum guy, or we just keep our promising #47 pick — no, wait a minute we gave that away — or an undrafted like Forbes (in which case, why *did* we sell that #47 you wonder?).

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:54 PM

A person that this is 14th on the roster isn’t getting much playing time anyway. Coach Jordan always plays a short rotation so its no need to going after Childress, Lowry, or Mason. 14th and 15th spot should be a summer league player that fought there way to the roster like aaron miles. He was definitely a good player last year.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:54 PM

I would guess if we were even that close to the luxury Ernie wouldn’t sign anyone and wait to have that money in case of emergency like he did with signing wilks to the 10 day.

As for not getting a future 2nd rounder, I doubt the team feels it will have much flexibiility in the future to get several young guys. Basically all of the guys on the team wont be free agents for even another year.

Drafting three more young guys probably wont be feasible and second rounders in general hold minimal value.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Assumming the team signs Gil and picks up the cheap options of Young, Pech and Dom, the entire team willbe here for 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 2, 2008 at 12:57 PM

Anyone hear about who we signed for our Summer League roster yet. I can’t wait to see these guys in action this summer.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Rook, although I like Kyle Lowry’s game, I wouldn’t want him on this team. I think he plays hard, but he’s no where close to being better than Daniels, or Mason. And he is no where in Gil’s league. That’s what I was trying to explain to jsuh0. Lowry’s a nice player, but I don’t think he’s a good fit for this team.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Good points about the little roster room given our options. Of course, if you think you can pick up a 10-day guy in an “emergency” you don’t need to sign a 15th guy. On the other hand, if the room is there and there’s someone who can develop in the league then signing him means you *already have* your emergency guy and maybe the guy’s value develops.

In any case, we are on hold to figure out who #14 is — let alone any 15th guy — until Gil is signed, and Gil is in China for 2 weeks. We’re stuck here running our mouths (well, our fingertips!) in speculation.

Comment from Rook
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:21 PM

RDOT51 Says: “A person that this is 14th on the roster isn’t getting much playing time anyway.”

But it sure would be nice to have a 3rd PG sitting on the bench just in case of injuries…
An insurance policy, if you will….

Hopefully, he would never get off the bench.

Comment from jhough813
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:27 PM

Does anyone know when Etan is off the books? I’m sorry but that was an awful contract and I don’t think he adds much to the team other than getting in fights with Brendan.

Comment from Rook
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:41 PM

jhough813 Says: Does anyone know when Etan is off the books?

Etan’s contract runs through the end of the 2010 season…. but the Wizards should be able to move his “expiring contract” sometime in the 2009-2010 season… (next year)

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:53 PM

Etan, Brendan and AD come off the books after the 09-10 seasn.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 1:58 PM

Thats about 6 mil AD 8-9 mil Etan 6 mil Brendan = 20-21 mil off the books for Durant and Beasley.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:08 PM

wiz-skins it turns into about 19.9 but thats a long ways off

Comment from adnanajanah
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:18 PM

We better get to the finals if we’re gonna give gilbert 127 mill. hopefully he’ll be like Alex Ovechkin who started playing even better when he got his money.

I’m so happy we resigned Antawn.

Comment from adnanajanah
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:20 PM

we should get rid of Pech

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:26 PM

anana why,

A. He was hurt all last year and showed promise before the injury in summer league and preseason
B. He doesn’t make that much money and there’s nobody you could get for less.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:31 PM

SportzWiz — are you sure? how much will each one of them be making NEXT season.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Btw. — Micheal Beasley got hurt in his first practice — Welcome to the NBA — Softy — LOL — J/K — Click Here

Comment from jhough813
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:36 PM

The real question is, who do you want for the final dance team spot: Alicia or Danielle? I’m going Alicia all the way.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 2:51 PM

jhough, your not alone, I hear from my sources that shes goign to take it
the announcement comes at around 1:00 tomorrow afternoon.

Wiz-skins here are the salaries

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Man, everyone is coming off our books in after the 2010/2011 season — Execpt fopr Antwan and Gilbert (if we sign him), I say we keep Caron, Blatche, Stevenson, Young, McGee, Haywood. AND Make a run at Kevin Durant and Beasley?

SportzWiz — Would there be enough cap room for all those guys?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 3:07 PM

It’s tough the new CBA will take place i believe following next year which could change lots of things. If we went with the assumption that the lux cap increased by a few million each year we could call it around 83 mill

So Caron will want 14-15 a year + 20 for Gil + 13 for Twan= 48 million
and assumming everyone stays at their level with younger guys becoming starters or close too
D-Steve probaby gets 5 a year
Haywood 6-7 a year
Blatche and Young are complete unknown so call it 12 total for the 2
McGee will be around 2-3 million

So now we are talking 75 million dollars with 8 in the bank.

Not nearly enough

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 3:14 PM

adnanajanah, having a max player dosen’t guarantee you will be in the finals. I think Lebron, and D Wade are max players, if I remember correctly, and their teams didn’t make it to the finals last year. While it’s highly likely if you have a max player you should make the finals, in the NBA there are no guarantees. Signing Gil atleast keeps us as a title contender. If Gil gets a max contract I hope, he dosen’t get criticized if we dont win a championship this year, just because of his large salary.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 3:21 PM

I’m all for resigning Roger Mason, but Im sure he’s going to want a larger role on the team. And with all the guards we already have, it would be extremely tough to expand his minutes. I definitely would like to see Nick Young get more playing time.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:08 PM

SportzWiz — WELL thats the year that Kevin is a FA — When Micheal Beasley is a FA Antwan will be off the books. That 8 mil and ‘Twans 15 for that year can go for signing Micheal Beasley to most likely a max. Then we would still have about 3 mil in the bank.

Again, we are dreaming. BUT some dreams do come true.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:09 PM

Point Gaurd — Niether D-Wade or LeBron are on max contracts. If I remember correctly they are still on thier rookie contract extensions.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:10 PM

They are both on first free agency max type deals which is a little different. Both make about 15 per season.

Wiz-skins, how about we start thinkin about that dream in 2011

Comment from rgz
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:15 PM

wiz-skins07,
Lebron James and Dwayne Wade both got 2008 salaries over $13M.
That is right at the maximum salary for 0 to 6 years players.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:36 PM

What’s with this Durant/Beasley stuff?

Durant has not shown *anything to speak of* in the league — he got the RoY automatically. He is a volume, low % shooter who does nothing else. In last year’s summer league he played 137 minutes and pulled down 8 rebounds — total! That’s 1 board every 17.5 minutes. Combine that w/ a low fg% and no defense, and what do you get? RoY I guess…

Beasley is a rookie. He is going to be a monster w/o question tho. Him I would like to have. But, it’s quite a loooong way off.

Lets talk about *our team.*

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:44 PM

I dont get the Durant/Beasley stuff either. Both just entered the league, and are the property of other teams. Lets talk about our team. Besides both are rising stars, and it’s likely there teams will give them extensions before they even hit free agency anyway.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 2, 2008 at 4:57 PM

Thanks for clearing up the lebron, d-wade salary issue SportzWiz. So both of those players are on their first free agency max deals. So their next free agency, they’re going to be looking for Gil type money in the 100 million range. If I remember correctly I think the free agent contracts they signed were something like 5 years 80 million.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM

Guys — At the beginning of this I said i was dreaming. Its just a old normal thought that came to mind.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 7:24 PM

as far as the gil contract people lets not hate, tha man got paid. is he getting overpaid? in my opinion yes! especially when someone as valuable as baron was offered nearly half that and could probably help us more all around. but ernie is dedicated, lets see if gil is dedicated. obviously ernie see’s this team going places so let’s watch. if gil returns i want to see us bring in petrius from golden state, josh childress, or james posey and i will be satisfied with the roster along with mason or head basically a gunner.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 8:01 PM

somone made tha comment about room on the roster by sayin “there is no need to go after childress” honestly childress will get playing time because there is no back-up SF besides mcguire who is still improving so his back-up spot is still up for grabs, blatche came in a 3 but he is leaning more towards tha 4 and 5 now. if he comes, once eddie see the hustle and fro on that kid he going to have flashbacks of senior prom ok maybe dr j! lol but like i said before i like petrius and posey. all three players can hit the 3. but childress has handles and can attack the rim.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 2, 2008 at 8:06 PM

one more thing and i will shut my fat mouth! people are excited because we have the same team saying things like “we kicked boston’s A$^ in the regular season so we could have beat them in the playoffs”…… well that maybe true but u gotta get to them first. beat the CAVS people, and other teams are getting better. even the bucks have a shot at a playoff spot this year. red,mo,jefferson,bogut,villaneuva, alexander, bell and the dreadful ramon sessions lol. but seriously we still have the magic, raptors, celts, pistons, and so on….. so even with the same key players we still must improve

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 2, 2008 at 9:44 PM

Good point…the Bucks did pull off a very good trade and other teams will be better so the Wizards would need to add a decent veteran

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2008 at 10:27 PM

Indiana will be a much better team, and the Bucks may be better. The nets, who knows? Please also remember that the sixers closed the season 22-11, and they have a couple of young guys, like us, who could improve next year. Plus they got my guy Speights.

And, lets not forget about Miami. Everything there depends on how strong Wade comes back.

I think Toronto may not be as good, however.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 2, 2008 at 10:41 PM

ABE I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THIS OUTSTANDING DECISION BY
KEEPING ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT POWER FORWARDS IN THE GAME TODAY.
ANTWAAN JAMISON IS THE BEST LONG RANGE AND SHORT RANGE PLAYER RIGHT NOW AND HE CAN ONLY GET BETTER WITH THE DYNAMITE CORE OF ALL-STARS AROUND HIM. WHEN I HEARD THE GREAT NEWS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY MIND WAS
FIRM COMMITTMENT TO ACCOMPLISHING THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND THAT IS MULTIPLE
CHAMPIONSHIPS BY ESTABLISHING A UNIQUE MODEL OF PLAYERS WHO FIRST LIKE EACH OTHER AND SECOND HAVE A PASSION TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE! I FEEL THE ORGANIZATION IS VERY CLOSE TO A BECOMING STELLAR IN APPROACH!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2008 at 7:13 AM

Hey Aundra — long time no see around here! Glad you’re back. I missed all the CAPITAL LETTERS.

Comment from dmac
Time July 3, 2008 at 9:17 AM

As Doclinkin stated Gil will sign on or around July 9th. Once the Wiz find out what the new cap figure is then they can finalize Gil’s contract. Meaning Gil will probably take less than the max to free up money to possibly sign RM or go after a Childress, Delfino or possibly Posey. There is no gurantee that Posey is going to resign with Boston.
Part of Gil’s request for his new contract reported in the papers was that he would like his first year to be at least 15 mil.
As to all the Gil bashing on yesterday reminds me how fans are the ones who make idols and icons out of the great ball players. Then no sooner than they praise them they in turn turn around to crucify them. If the Wiz resign Gil and stay healthy they have a great chance to run the table.
Winning championships is about playing good defense (Boston) and persevering through the season and having some good fortune. When it got to the playoffs some fans and critics did’nt give Boston a chance. But they persevered and kept playing defense.
We have that same opportunity here in Wiz city. I also believe with some experience our bench can be more potent with AD running the second team.
Most of all I think that there is no one more anxious than the Great Hibachi himself ready to show that he is back and can make slight adjustments in his game like Kobe did this past year and compliment his teammates greatly.
When Abe gives the great compliment to AJ about how his leadership and character resembling Wes and then offers Gil max money and mix that with some Tough Juice then you got something going on. There is not a more deserving owner and group of fans in the league that deserves a championship than Abe Pollin and our fans.