Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM

Cool — We got Vladimir Veremenkoo, and Forbes.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2008 at 7:50 PM

I love the way our own guys’ schools are listed I mean Andray is about to be a 4 year NBA veteran, and he is listed w/ his prep school the way Frank Elegar’s college is listed.

I guess it’ll be interesting to see Vereemenko. To be honest, I don’t think any of these guys are likely NBA prospects. People say Forbes has game but not enough athleticism to translate it to the league. We’ll see. It’s always fun to watch Summer League.

SportsWiz — what do you know about TV coverage of the LV games? And… how about some video from camp at the Phone Booth? Any chance?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2008 at 7:54 PM

Well, obviously, Blatche, Dom, Javale, Pech, VV, and Nick are going to Las Vegas. That leaves 9 guys fighting for how many spots?

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM

i am taller than Dontaye Draper i hope he is good because he is small for a NBA player

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 7, 2008 at 9:10 PM

If we go 14 or 15 i think VV might have a good shot. I think he is a more athletic songaila that could play the 3 or 4. I saw the pre draft workout he had with the blazers and he looked solid.

Comment from neal
Time July 7, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Veremeenko has a big buy-out clause to his Russian contract. I think the Wiz just has him here to look at for the future – when his contract runs out. He doesn’t have big numbers in the Russian league. Isn’t even playing big minutes.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 7, 2008 at 9:43 PM

neal- i read somewhere that his buyout isnt that big or hard to get out of…i cant remember where i saw it though

Comment from Reuben
Time July 7, 2008 at 9:58 PM

Its good to see a Gtown player on the list

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM

I believe NBATV will air the first four games and I think comcast might air a few as well. We will have vids of Friday pending on when we are allowed into practice. I’ll do my best .

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2008 at 1:37 AM

Farfiegnuggen will probably stay in Europe another year, but, it will be fun to see what kind of game he has.

I hope someone impresses us in SL. It doesn’t have to be from our SL team either (even though I’m rooting for Forbes). It seems like an eternity since we have had a competent 15 man roster.

SportzWiz… don’t we only play 5 games in Lv?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2008 at 1:49 AM

Forbes would be a great back up to Caron at the 3 and assist Deshawn at the 2. He seems very atheletic and coachable. They say he has a personality that beams.

Ok… lol… I’ll shut up and wait for summer league

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:03 AM

Forbes was supposed to get drafted in all areas of the second round. So if he impresses and we have an oppurtunity to sign him to the league minimum it would be a STEAL

Comment from dmac
Time July 8, 2008 at 6:52 AM

Here’s my choices for the starting lineup:

Andray Blatche- C
Oleksiy Pecherov- PF
Dominic McGuire- SF
Nick Young- SG
Jonathan Wallace- PG (knows the Princeton O)

My summer league prediction for Wiz best player is Andray Blatche. Time for him to break out like Jermaine O’Neal did when he left Portland.
Also look for Nick and DMAC to show some growth in their game.
My pick for surprise player on the roster is Will Thomas. If he only wasn’t 6 ft. 7 in.

Is Veremeenko really taller than Songalia?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 6:59 AM

There are only 5 games, Comcast and NBATV might air the same games.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:00 AM

I thought I would say both because I know a lot of people probably dont get NBATV

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:15 AM

It’ll be fun to watch those games — always is.

I agree w/ dmac — this is the year Blatche *must* blossom. If he doesn’t grow significantly this year, he’ll never be a starter in the league.

In a way, tho, the guy who really *has* to improve is Nick. Despite what many of you seem to think, based on a few highlights, he was pretty awful last year — shooting a low %, fouling way too much, turning it over frequently, garnering very few rebound or assists, and showing that he had virtually zero grasp of the offense while reaching repeatedly on defense. He has *lots* of talent — hope he harnesses some more of it this year, and if so he really solidifies our 2-3 backup.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:21 AM

dmac — why would you start AB at Center? That’s not going to be his position in the rotation — or at least I hope not.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:42 AM

I thought Nick Young played very well as a rookie when given the time I thought he played better than Blatch. I just thought he needs to hit the weight room. Blatch on the other hand needs to be in the summer league along with Etan Thomas if he will return. Maybe everyone saw something in Nick Young that I didn’t.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:45 AM

I think so, yes. I saw the fouls and turnovers, and you didn’t. I also saw the *lack* of rebounding. I saw a guy dribble all over the floor the minute the ball got in his hands.

I don’t question in the slightest Nick Young’s talent. It’s what you *produce* in win-contribution w/ that talent, that’s what counts.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:47 AM

Some guys we’ve talked about a bit as round 2-type prospects are on summer league teams, and you can watch them if you like:

chris lofton — denver
deron washington, walter sharpe – detroit
richard hendrix, demarcus nelson — golden state
DeAndre Jordan — clippers

Jordan had a *huge* drop from being talked about as lottery to being picked in round 2. It’ll be interesting to take a look at him.

Comment from Reuben
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:47 AM

I was just lookin at a picture of Mike Beasley and the funny thing was on his right arm there is the Washington Nationals W symbol and under neath it it says I am DC (the DC is the other Nats logo

Comment from Reuben
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:56 AM

http://sandroparedes.multiply.com/photos has a lot of good photos from Gils trip

Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:23 AM

Songaila is 6′8″. Converting what his Russian league stat is to feet and inches, Veremeenko is 6′9 3/4″. Songaila’s 248 lbs. is probably more than Veremeenko’s weight.

I think the test for both Blatche and Young is whether they can play smarter. The test for McGuire is whether he can develop a dependable mid-range jump shot. He doesn’t have to be able to create his own shot, like Young. He doesn’t need to be a top option in the offense. He just needs to be enough of a weapon that the enemy can’t leave him open.

Blatche can play all three front court positions (though imperfectly), but I’d rather see McGee at center and Blatche at SF.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:30 AM

neal — I agree….

Comment from dmac
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:32 AM

Tom my thinking was that the Wiz would gradually ease McGee into the starting lineup like around 2nd or 3rd game.
If I were coaching I would start McGee at center and put Blatche at the four.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:40 AM

Starting to look like Philadelphia might get Elton Brand this summer. I’d like to see him in the East, but it’d be some serious trouble for us.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:53 AM

The cap will be communicated to teams tonight, and the moratorium on signings will end. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

dmac — you’re probably right about McGee coming on in a few games.

(I can’t get this Brand-to-Philadelphia thing out of my mind. If that happens, they will be *a force*.)

Comment from dmac
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:25 AM

Neal do you think Pecherov has more power forward potential than Blatche?
I agree with you that AB can play all 3 frontline spots having mastered none.
I just don’t see AB breaking out and having a long career at the 3 spot. If he could he would definitely be a new age sf with his height and size. Place AB at the 3 and he won’t be as efficient. If he could study the game like AJ does who has the ability to go to the sf because he still rebounds and stretch the D with his three then maybe the 3.
AB needs to muscle up and and add some post moves to his short range game.
I were AB I would watch Carlos Boozer tapes. Of course Carlos is a good example of someone who went to college and worked on his game before he got to the NBA.

Now Pecherov looks to have the potential to be a specialist in the league like Steve Novak in Houston. Pecherov probably could get away with playing SF more than AB because he can shoot the three.
I think this is what makes the SL so interesting because we get to see what areas of the their games have improved and still need work on.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:17 AM

I don’t know what neal thinks, but AB is 6′11″, 250 lbs w/ long arms, quick feet, soft hands and can shoot and block shots. He should be a heck of a 4. It’s harder to find quality 4s than wing players.

Nick has the length to play some 3. He looks at least as tall as Caron, and he has a long wingspan. It’d be better if he were taller of course, but he is tall enough.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:36 AM

Miami beat the Bulls in the debut summer league game for beasley and rose. All Michael did was score 28 points in 23 minutes!!! “I could have been better” he said — calling for himself to have added a few more assists, stops and rebounds. Holey moley, you won by 24 points, Michael. Kid’s the real deal.

Rose had 10 points and 4 assists.

I still can’t understand how anyone could have picked any player other than Beasley first in this draft.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Box scores of the first Orlando games here.

CDR had a big game for the Nets, as did Ryan Anderson. Above all, the undrafted Jaycee Carroll has a great stat line. Brook Lopez played 20 minutes and pulled down ZERO rebounds.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 1:13 PM

I never said VV was taller than songaila, even though he slightly is, but i said he was a more athletic songail.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 1:15 PM

Im not arguing on beasley, i like rose a lot but you wont here me taking him over beasley.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Just read that brand article. That means if that phx trade that i proposed with us getting barbosa happened we would dump 7 million dollars in contracts due to the trade exceptions being used. So we would have enought money to sign posey, or even a childress.
Let Me refresh:

Wizards Trade: Thomas, Songaila(TE), Stevenson(TE), 09 1st
Phoenix Trades: Barbosa

Since Thomas’ contract and barbosa’s contract match up it, and using the kurt thomas TE they would absorb the contracts of songaila and stevenson, freeing up around 7 to 8 million dollars.

That would be awsome!!!
THat just opened the door to more trade ideas with other teams with a trade exception…LOL
I am so happy i read that story about the sixers and brand.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:02 PM

im looking to see dmac and pech really prove themselves during summer league……i think pech did that during preseason but coming off the injury and a sub-par season, hes gotta prove himself to get the minutes……as for blatche, well i think all he needs to do is stay healthy, outta trouble and play his game and hes bound to have another stellar season. as for nick young, he needs to get in the gym and workout, and he needs to improve his defense…..on another note, whats this i hear about elton brand preparing to sign with the 76ers??? wasnt he gonna play with baron davis in la?? kind of a cheap move to do that to your team and to baron davis……i mean baron will be screwed with the clippers if brand signs with philidelphia.
Baron would have been better off re signing with golden state if thats how brand was gonna play him like that…but if brand does sign with philidelphia, i think the wizards are gonna have a hard time in the east……i mean if brand signs with philidelphia the top contenders in the east r looking to be Boston, Toronto, Philidelphia, and maybe detroit if their coaching staff does well…….i hope the wiz dont end up with a 4 or 5 spot again and end up playing the cavs again…….that wouldnt be good

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Just recall that the sixers closed last season 22-11. They have a formidable young core of players. Elton Brand would give them a (potentially) dominating big man. They’d be hard to handle.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:05 PM

Dmac- i think if blatche got in the weightroom alot, got his muscle mass to increase, and worked on his post defense and offense he could play at center……he has the length but not really the build to master at center

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:46 PM

if pigs could fly, there’d be some really scary poop falling from the sky.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 2:52 PM

All I’m going to say is Wow!

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 3:09 PM

Tom- the only thing about Brand though is that he has been injury prone the past few years, and with philidelphia being a team revolving around conistency in lineups, he could slow them down

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 3:17 PM

Has arenas officially signed the 111 mil contract yet?? cause if he hasnt heres what i would do if i were EG: i would get my guys to write up 2 contracts for arenas:
1. being the 111 mil contract, then i would put that on one side of the table, and layout all of the available free agents for this year and next year we could/could not get if Gil were 2 sign that contract
2. being a contract 3-10 mil dollars less than the 111 mil one, put that on the other side of the table, and layout all of the possible options we could get this year or next if gil signed that contract

i mean if arenas is truly in it to win, dont u think he would sign the 2nd one?? i mean if i were a GM i would make re signing a player into a little game like that just to get the player thinking u know?

Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2008 at 3:35 PM

And I thought walking under pidgeons was risky. Pigs?

Young is listed at 6′6″, 200 lbs. I think he’s classic size for the 2, undersized for the 3. And he moves like a 2. Caron is listed at 6′7″, 228 lbs. That’s just about average for the 3, I guess. I think both are in their best position.

Blatche is listed at 6′11″, 248 lbs. If we didn’t already have Jamison, Songaila and Pecherov I’d say he’s a 4. But we do. I don’t think McGuire is a satisfactory back-up to Butler at present. So now that we have Thomas and McGee at center I see Blatche as a 3.

Comment from rgz
Time July 8, 2008 at 3:55 PM

draftexpress has Nick Young at 6′5″ and Caron Butler at 6′5″.25 both without shoes.
With shoes 6′6″.75 and 6′6.5 respectively.
206 lbs and 222 lbs.
I believe those measurements were taken by the NBA during their draft years 2006 and 2002.

Comment from rgz
Time July 8, 2008 at 3:56 PM

sorry, Nick was drafted last year 2007 not 2006

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:01 PM

wizfan4life you start playing games like that and you get players to walk and not trust you. Gil cant officially sign until midnight.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:16 PM

My “pigs” remark was… a little over the top maybe?

Where I was going was that we’ve been saying for 3 years now that “if Andray…” something or other. Lets just accept him for the player he is.

Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:20 PM

Yes, dmac, Pecherov has a 3 point shot (28% last year), but I’d rather he not shoot it.

Blatche is apparently just learning a jump shot. Last year he did pretty well with it, but he doesn’t yet have 3 point range. In HS I’m sure he was always the biggest guy on the court so always played center.

More importantly, I doubt that Pecherov can guard opposing small forwards.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:21 PM

The 2 “wing” positions seem increasingly to overlap with the sole difference seeming to be that the 2 handles the ball more. Caron is small for a 3, and if he could handle better no doubt he’d have moved to the 2.

Nick is actually a bit taller than Caron, and he looks like he has a longer wingspan. No problems w/ his handle, so he is well-placed at the 2. But… he could still back up the 3.

Really, the point I was making was more that Andray should be *grabbing* all the minutes available at the 4. Obviously, he is a multi-position player, but I wish he’d get really good at one of those positions — and maybe that’d be easier if he wasn’t moved into 3 different roles?

Comment from Reuben
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:26 PM

On ESPNs Rookie 50 JaVale Mcgee is ranked 30 and it says “The D-League was made for players like McGee.”

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:30 PM

Beasley is 1 of 13 right now and had a technical. Game is in the fourth.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:31 PM

i dont think pech got enough consistent minutes to show his 3pt shooting ability. At the same time, the coaching staff and ernie have made comments about him needing to play more underneath, too much last year he settled.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 4:59 PM

I saw a little video highlight footage of Beasley’s game yesterday, and he looked phenomenal. Don’t know what his problem is today — probably that he’s just a rookie!!

What’s espn’s “rookie 50″ — tv or net? Link?

Comment from Rook
Time July 8, 2008 at 5:05 PM

Actually, Young has an incredible wing span…. According to DraftExpress, his wingspan is 7′0″

That, combined with his 40.5″ max vertical – and you can see why people think he might be able to play SF…

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 5:28 PM

Here is the article Tom

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 5:38 PM

I found it… the guy has *a lot* of first rounders going to the D-league. Hey, he may be right. They need to be where they can play.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM

We rarely send players to the D-league…i mean the only player in recent memory was …well Peter John Ramos…(sigh)

Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:19 PM

I agree wizbulletman0.

I guess we didn’t do it last year because we only started with 12 healthy players, then 11 after Arenas went down.

Another thought on Pecherov playing the 3: quite a few small forwards would just dribble between his legs. Hard to recover from that.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:20 PM

SportsWiz- yeah i get u on that…….just wish gil would sign for a little bit less lol

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 7:27 PM

on ESPN.com under rumors it has Roger mason as “visits potential suitors”???? whatsup with that?

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:12 PM

i dont want brand in tha east….. the east is already wide open this coming season, nobody is a lock except for boston. well im not sure about them ray allen has definitely slowed a step or two and posey may not return. with cassell gone, their back at square one with rondo and eddie and oh yea they are the defending champs. ne way once again we miss out on a good player at a need position those suckers in orlando will be signing pietrius. i doubt we will go after childress. their probably just going to resign mason and dominic. i just wanna pull my hair out….. but im black, i need all i can get.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:22 PM

keyon dooling is still available, he is a great defender like lindsey hunter, he can shoot and attack the rim. he and AD can play together and push young at tha 3, i guess. im just pissed we didnt get pietrius and i have not heard anything about the wiz making ne more moves nor being interested in anyone…..i want childress

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 8:58 PM

cant we just F the Tax and sign someone like Josh Smith…I would be in Heaven.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:02 PM

Lets take up a donation to pay the luxury tax (and the amount we’d get back from other teams for not being *in* the luxury tax). We can afford that, right?

Childress — he’d fit our team like a glove.

Dom is already under contract. If we field the same team next year, i think we will find ourselves in a dog fight to make the playoffs.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:16 PM

EG has to go up to Abe and say we gotta go somewhat over the tax and get one or two more pieces to make a legit run. Look at Denvers payroll, it was like 85 million last season. Thats alot of tax money. Even though they didnt do so well (they are in the west). They won 50 games. In the east 50 wins is an easy 1-3 seed.
Come on Abe!!!

Comment from Reuben
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:32 PM

Tom rookie 50 is a weekly article talking about and ranking rookies

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:39 PM

tom u are 100% right about the wizards being in a dogfight if they bring in the same team with mcgee also. not to many wiz fans will agree on here but it is the truth. we need to add some extra pieces. or we will be having this convo again much earlier next season.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:50 PM

i dont wanna pump this guy up too much since were more than likely not to get him, but childress is 6′8 and can play up to 3 different positions maybe even 4. the guy is atheletic and loves defense. likes to dunk and most of all he hustles. were talking second chance opportunities. the wizards is just one key player away from being a legit contender in the east and if not a legit 7-9 seed. honestly at this point our starting lineup is fine, but when they take a seat within 5 minutes they are needed back on the floor. we must improve our bench, depth and defense. we need someone who is going to make a sudden impact. josh will push tha ball and run tha floor with the best of them. blatche is the only versatile player we have but he is not effective in all positions. josh will come in and kill em at the 2 or 3. one last thing…… josh was the one who gaurded pierce and allen….. and gave them fits.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 9:59 PM

good points gee wiz

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:27 PM

We’re not going over into luxury tax territory guys. That probably means no free agents like Childress. But, we’ll just have to see.

We kept thinking last year that Ernie was going to make some kind of trade, and he didn’t come up with anything. We’ll see if he does this year.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:32 PM

we have roughly 5 million in tax space. Make that 4 million with mcgee signing. I want EG to pull off what philly did to clear space for money. Trade players plus maybe a pick for a trade exception. A team that has the biggest that i can think of is phx. Its about 8 million. Get about 11-12 mil under the tax and get josh smith.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:36 PM

It’d be nice to get under the cap, but not to use the money on Josh Smith. He’s a nice young player but nothing special.

With a little luck, Atlanta will be maneuvered into signing for lots of money, which might make Childress, who *is* a special player, available to us. But, in truth, I don’t see us getting under the cap to do such a deal.

Comment from mrreddman
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:41 PM

hows it going fellas? its been awhile since i last posted here but im back to throw my 2 cents in the chatter. first off i must apologize to Brendan Haywood for dogging him out so much last summer. he had a great season for him and at times was one of our most consistant and toughest players. geez, never thought id EVER say that but anyway..on to this year. i love the mcgee pick, for me it was either him or chalmers at that point and i will almost always take the big guy esp. for the wiz. he is very tall, can run the floor better than 95% of the big men in the league, blocks shots and doesnt appear to back down or be soft even though he could still use another 25 pounds of muscle. seems like people on this site on draft night were bashing the kid to death b4 he ever had a chance to show us what he can do. …alright, i think our team as it is right now would again be around the 4 seed unless at least some roster change is made. that being said am i the only person who would love to see ARTEST on our roster? he would be just what we need IMO. hes tuff, can play great defense, a pretty good passer and can score when needed. and most importantly hes not afraid to put someone on the floor when we need to. we could put him on pierce, kobe, lebron, bosh, beasly, whoever u want to slowdown and irratate the hell out of…Artest is the man. i dunno if SAC would go for a THOMAS, next years #1 and the memphis pick would do it? if not Songalia, Pech, and memphis pick or a #1. i would love for us to trade next years #1 to upgrade our team now. next years draft is weak, our pick will probably be low anyway and we dont need anymore young players right now.
i also like childress and miller too if ernie was to go that route because while i like Stevenson, he would be best as a backup… or if we could somehow get Artest and childress/miller i think i would need a pamper!!!..lol…
PLEASE GET ARTEST!!!.. he wants out of SAC and has only a year on new contract i believe, so if it doesnt work, we would still get his cap space back soon….
what yall think?

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:43 PM

the money wouldnt necessarily go to smith, it could be to maybe 1 or 2 pieces…say a childress…any other good players available. And it would probably get us under the cap somewhat but not alot. It would get us 11 million under the threshold.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:49 PM

or a thought would be iggy from philly.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:55 PM

i agree that we need 1 or 2 more pieces…..and i mean Ernie Grunfield needs to stop focusing all about getting change in his pocket and look at the bigger picture: the east is starting to become stronger by the months/years and if we dont add AT LEAST 1 or 2 more good players to our bench then we will be screwed, we will go through a slump where we wont make the playoffs, we will have good players who are unhappy, and we will be under the tax limit but still do nothing to improve the team……….kinda like memphis and charlotte….I DONT WANT TO END UP LIKE A MEMPHIS OR A CHARLOTTE!!! where they get rid of players like brevin knight and mike miller for scrubs….now im not saying go all crazy with the salary cap like new york, but i mean come on Ernie, do you/we really need that extra pocket money when we could improve the team?? seriously we dont and i cant stand here and watch a fine organization like the wizards go down the drain by not getting the pieces they need and also adding pieces they dont need……..i mean we dont need a D-mac or a pech or a mcgee if u really think about it; theyre too young.
We need to add some depth to our bench, and not do so buy adding young players and wait for them to develop years from now. WE MUST DO SOMETHING NOW!!

Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:57 PM

Welcome back mrreddman.

We ain’t going over the luxury tax limit. We needed to do so even more last year but didn’t.

Wizbulletman0 what do you mean by “trade players plus a pick for a trade exception”? Splain that to me. What trade exception?

We’ve got a bunch of straight arrows on the team. I wouldn’t like to spoil that with Artest.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 10:57 PM

i agree, i would like to see artest on the roster……heck i would love to see anyone on the roster that is good and wont take years to work on their game (pech, mcgee, d-mac, young are all fine examples of players who are gonna take years to work on their game, which chances are only young will be the only one out of the 4 who will have an OK career)

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:08 PM

neal-read the brand article. A trade exception absorbs incoming salaries in a trade. Philly traded Booth and Carney to minnesota and there 09 1st for a trade exception that minnesota had. (not all teams have them)
That means they dumped booth’s and carney’s salary on minnesota. It freed up about 3million dollars in space. That’s why now they are in the running for Brand. So im saying, EG should think about that, as a possiblity…soon.
I hope that was a good enough explanation…if not you can read the Stein article about brand going to philly..

Comment from Jason C
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:15 PM

yikes brand to philly almost guarantees them a playoff spot next year. Although he is less suited to run their run and gun type of offense, but hey I’d take him too.

Comment from mrreddman
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:17 PM

thanx neal, but i must disagree with ya. we do have a bunch of straight arrows on our team, silly young guys honestly…which is exactly why we need a hard head tough vet that wont take skit from nobody. someone who isnt joking around, smiling and will knock someone on their butt. who do we have on our team now other than maybe caron that will do that? …hell even Joe Gibbs had a Dexter Manley or a Gary Clark..lol

as for wizfan4life, i have no problem with our young guys, i actually like all of them. but we just cant expect them to come in and do consistant damage. another reason we need Artest. he can start or come off the bench and play multiple positions with various lineups, most of which would create killer mismatches for the opposing team.
also, yall need to stop being so harsh on Ernie. the man has done a great job fixing our team. i mean we had almost 20 years of misery with Wes and then Jordan running our team. plus he is not the guy who benefits from us not going over the lux tax…its ABE!!!
hell Ernie would probably want to go over the tax because it would make his job easier and our team better. At Abe’s age he needs to stop being cheap and go all out. not stupid like the knicks, but a few million over the tax is nothing if you already got millions …………right GIL?

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:43 PM

if philly does indeed get brand, then we HAVE TO do something, besides resigning gil and twan’. Make a deal or a signing EG….go over the lux tax Abe…work together…lol

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:44 PM

mrreddman im totally with you on that…….i mean i dont think EG has really sit down with Abe and asked him if they could go over the luxury tax……with Abe having so much in his life going on, i dont think the wizards are his number one top priority……i mean doesnt he own all of washington sports and entertainment? meaning he owns the capitals, the verizon center entertainment, and other stuff? or am i incorrect in saying that?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:47 PM

Wizbullet—-i think the Brand thing is official. does anybody else think the raptors getting jermaine oneil also makes them a considerable threat as well? i just hope etan does something off the bench or i want him out……we shouldnt have a player making that much money if he isnt going to do something

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 8, 2008 at 11:52 PM

if it is official, we must act quick, at 12:01…plEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ Front Office do SOMETHING to make us a legit contender

Comment from mrreddman
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:06 AM

i would of liked to have seen us get Oneal if we knew he was totaly healthy. but even when healthy, that salary i huuuuge, so im kool with us passing on him. however i think he will be healthy enough to team with Bosh to make the raptors a team to reckon with for sure. and now that Phily is much improved the east is getting alot stronger. heck, the bulls, heat, hawks and bobcats should all be much improved. so we gotta do something to add to our team besides just getting Gil and Etan back plus Mcgee. Currently we are very competitive in the East. but if we added an Artest or someone like him without giving up much more than Etan, Songali, Pech, and/or maybe Stevenson plus our #1 i think we would be legit beast!!.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:29 AM

here is my plan: using the philly tactic and a team with a TE.

Wiz Trade: Songaila, Stevenson, 09 1st
Phx trades: Trade execption of about 8 million, 09 1st

Why?
We dump 8 million dollars
Songaila would be a solid backup to diaw off the bench.
Stevenson would be a solid backup to bell and help on D.

With the tax announce as 71.15 million, we would have roughly 12 million dollars under the luxury tax. Go out and sign Andre Iguodala with that money.

Arenas/Daniels
Iggy/Young
Butler/McGuire
Jamison/Blatche/Pecherov
Haywood/Thomas/McGee

Arenas and Iguodala are tight buddies, arizona buds, and would work well together.
This is the type of move that would help us alot. I mean Philly did it to get brand, EG and Abe have to make a bold deal!!!!

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:45 AM

hey wizbullet- why not do that with richard jefferson or channing fry? channing fry would back up jamison and blatche really well and hes best buds with arenas from college…….jefferson mght be a problem though with his salary……..i mean do u think he really wants 2 stay with the bucks of all teams?? sure theyre gonna have a big 3, but its not gonna be as good as the wizards big 3……imagine this lineup if u will:

1. Arenas
2.jefferson/butler
3.jefferson butler
4. jamison
5. haywood

now that sounds like a pretty sweet lineup!!! or picture this:

1. arenas
2. butler
3. jamison
4. frye
5. haywood

what do yal think??

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:49 AM

salar cap officially set at $58.680 million, The tax level set at $71.150 million, and mid level set at $5.585 million

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:55 AM

i kinda feel sorry for baron davis……i mean he basically got screwed over in the clippers thing, i mean brand giving him hopes of playing on the same team, then signs with the 76ers…..and now magette is going 2 golden state….so its basically baron davis on the clippers now……but then again he kinda deserves it for leaving a team cold and dry like he did with the warriors……not like arenas who said he was gonna stay with the team and stayed with us!

Comment from mrreddman
Time July 9, 2008 at 1:28 AM

man wizbulletman if that scenario was at all possible, i would jump all over that! hell i wouldnt even ask for their 1st round pick back. if the wiz added iggy for basically stevenson and songalia that would give us an awesome lineup. finals here we come. only thing arent Gil and Stevenson real tight too?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2008 at 2:14 AM

WizBulletMan…. I’m kinda getting the feeling you don’t care much for Stevenson or Songaia? They are involved in most or your trade scenarios.

WizFan4Life…. If Brand bolts for Philly I’m guessing BD will get his nose all kinda outta shape lol. Don’t believe everything you read though. Philly wil probably get Josh Smith. I’m betting Brand stays out West.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 9, 2008 at 6:25 AM

wizfan4life — I was only a verbal agreement, he cant officially sign the contract till today. He can still back out if he wants too.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 9, 2008 at 6:27 AM

Everyone — ESPN has an article up, the NBA has released the cap, luxary-tax, and MLE numbers — Click Here –

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 9, 2008 at 6:29 AM

Oh, and thats probably the same site Wizfan4life gave you guys. I just wanted to give you a reliable source.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2008 at 7:31 AM

We’ll have about $3m to work with. That means re-signing Roger and not much else.

Maybe Ernie wants to stand pat: “We’ve shown that when we’re healthy we can compete with anybody.”

Maybe he wants to make some changes — if so, it looks like it’ll have to be done via trades.

Comment from dmac
Time July 9, 2008 at 7:54 AM

I believe that EG is definitely looking to improve the Wiz depth for next season. Right now there are a few factors to consider. My first choice would be trying to get Josh Childress here. He would be like a upgrade for our bench because of his versatility, defense and being a team oriented player. Signing him would be like getting a upgraded jared jeffries who was a good fit for us but not for the knicks. I believe Childress is looking for a team he can be a good fit with.
Now that Philly has signed Brand, do they now have enough money to resign Iggy and Andre Miller?
Do we have a chance to sign Iggy? I don’t think so. We would have to dump those contracts like Thomas, Songalia and Stevenson probably on Philly like they did to Minnesota. I love Iggy’s game. If we got him then we would be the Big 4. Right now this is fantasy stuff.
Only way i am concerned with Philly’s improvement is if they resign Iggy and Miller and Brand returns to form from his injury.
We very well we may have to give up one or two of our young guy’s (not mcgee) and a vet to be able to free room up to sign a Childress or Posey. It would probably take about 6-7 mil. to sign Posey. He has won two championships, right now as he is in his prime he wants to get paid.

Anybody think EG will make a move this week? He can’t wait too long.

Comment from dmac
Time July 9, 2008 at 8:33 AM

Washington Post reports this morning that the Wiz are interested in Matt Barnes and James Jones. Jones however just agreed to sign with Miami for four years.
The article stated that the Wiz have made an offer to Roger Mason but he is mulling over other offers. One of the teams is the Spurs who pursued Roger last year.
The article also said that the Wiz may be looking for a 3rd point guard.

Rumors on Hoopsworld has the Knicks putting Curry, Randolph, Lee and Crawford on the trading block.

Anyone think David Lee could help us?

Comment from Rook
Time July 9, 2008 at 8:47 AM

Everyone keeps posting that the Wizards should sign Childress, or Smith, or other high profile Free Agents…

Keep in mind that the Wizards are OVER the Salary Cap, and as such can ONLY sign a player using the Mid-Level Exception (now set at $5.585 Million).

It doesn’t matter how much money you clear under the Luxury Tax, the Wizards can still only use the MLE and LLE exceptions – (they CANNOT BE COMBINED)…

Childress, Smith, Brand, etc will all command more than the MLE.

Comment from Rook
Time July 9, 2008 at 8:53 AM

dmac – I love David Lee… He’s a high energy guy. Great rebounder. Good defender. Does not need the ball to be effective on Offense. He would be a perfect fit for this team.

I’d even be willing to give up a piece like Blatche or Young to get him… Problem is, NY is trying to clear salary space for 2010 so they can go after LeBron James. They’re going to want someone to take either Randolph or Curry’s bloated contracts along with Lee… and they’re going to want contracts that end on or before 2010.

EG would never do a deal that would include Randolph or Curry.

Better trade opportunities will present themselves to Ernie as we get closer to the 2010 season.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 9:02 AM

The Knicks were also asking Memphis for the #5 pick overall in the draft for David Lee, that’s a pretty high price.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2008 at 9:13 AM

Well, they were *asking*… but they didn’t get it!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 9:29 AM

true, but it just shows what they feel he is worth

Comment from dmac
Time July 9, 2008 at 9:40 AM

Does anybody believe EG would trade ET and AB for Curry and Lee? Both Curry and ET have two years left on their contract. This trade went through on the ESPN trade machine. Would the Knicks take ET or would they prefer BH and AB. If we did BH and AB we would have to send another player like Nick and possibly some cash for that to go through.

We’ve been discussing how the other teams in the East have improved. Would a deal like this make sense if you are the WIZ GM?

Do we just sign Roger and go from there? Or do we wait on a better deal or opportunity?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:11 AM

Dmac, I doubt your going to see one of these big trades, because in reality they are just rare.

I think it will now become a wait and see approach for the Wizards. They have according to all of our cap/luxury tax specialists on the blog approximately 3million bucks to work with.

That eliminates a lot of players. There arent many vets that make less than 3 million. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality players.

I think Roger is definitely an option, I’ve heard Childress’s name thrown around a lot but he’s probably going to get the MLE.

Just a few interesting names that I saw that would be affordable, again there are no rumors or anythin that link these guys to the Wizards just players I saw in our price range that could be interesting.

Quinton Ross- Good defensive specialist at the 3 position. Not a good scorer, but is an effective enough shooter. Can come in and play spot minutes and lockdown defense.

Matt barnes – Can play the 2 or the 3, very athletic

Jannero Pargo- A good point guard who really played well in the playoffs

Maurice Evans- Another combo wing thats big and athletic, a good defender that can stick the 3 ball as well

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:31 AM

Do you know what type of contract Eddie Curry has? He is untradeable especially to the wizards. And why would you want Curry in the first place. He is probably going to eat his way out of the league soon. If we could get david lee that would be something but they hold him in high regard in ny.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:33 AM

No one whom we get w/ $3m is likely to affect how many wins we make next year (except, potentially, negatively — i.e. if we trade for someone bad and play him lots of minutes, which won’t happen). And no one at that $$ is likely to have a big upside either.

If we don’t have the tools to acquire someone like Childress, then we might as well re-sign Roger. If we are going to make a change via a trade, I guess (?) we might need to sign somene in order to have that salary to trade — do I have that right?

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:34 AM

We should go after James Jones that played for Portland last year. He would help us out beyond the arc and can spread the defense out so gil and caron can penetrate the defense. or maybe Matt Barnes he plays good D and can shoot also beyond the arc but not as good as James Jones.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:47 AM

James Jones is planning to sign with the Heat

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:49 AM

I want to see how are front line does this summer league with Blatche, Meeko, Pech, Mcgee. That will tell us alot of what we will expect from them this coming up season.

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 10:52 AM

The Eastern Conference is getting stronger every year.This plan the wizards are on (hoping that their young talent pans out) better work b/c if it doesnt they will probably an 7th or 8th seed for the next 4 years if that.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 9, 2008 at 11:01 AM

Childress and/or James Jones would be an excellent addition to the team but I wouldn’t trade any player off the current roster at this point. If they must trade Etan Thomas is the guy but if they do they must get a veteran big in return.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 11:29 AM

the wizards like i said before are not good enough right now to cut it. think defensively at the 3 the only players left out there besides posey, is artest, childress, and kirk snyder, matt barnes, luol deng and maurice evans, . at pg dooling, for scoring salim stoudamire and bogans but they both play tha 2. iguodala is too expensive for us. but someone said with brand the sixers might make the playoffs…….. uhmm no, they made tha playoffs without him last year with brand on that roster their at least a 4-6 seed. the only thing that roster would be missing is a 3 point shooter but defensively they are killers. and wizfan4life u do include deshawn and songaila in all of ur trades tisk tisk tisk where is tha love. and GIL needs to hurry up and sign…… stop playing

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 9, 2008 at 11:32 AM

oh yea and david lee….. got skills 4 real. he is the best player on their roster if u ask me. “white boys can jump” he is the only consistent one on the team

Comment from dmac
Time July 9, 2008 at 11:39 AM

There is a excellent article on HOOPSWORLD.com today entitled: Are the WIz Better?

Comment from Rook
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:04 PM

gee wiz – you say the only thing Philly is missing is a 3-poit shooter?

I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer Roger Mason a 3 or 4 year contract. They are lacking a SG with 3-point range. I could see Roger being the backup Shooting Guard on that team – or perhaps even competing for the starting job.

Brand will command a lot of double teams – and I can see Roger having a tremendous season next year, shooting wide open 3-pointers, if he were to land in Philly…

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Less not get hasty with the love to Philly. Yes they have Brand a bonafide baller. but he is coming off an achilles injury. Sixers are not an up and coming team by any stretch. Dalembert and Miller came down the stretch strong but where were they 3 quarters of the season. They better resigned AI or they will be back in the lottery sweepstakes. On paper we do see several teams getting better. But we can only guess right now. With the Wizards we know right now we are 4th or 5th seed in the east. The wiz are banking on their young talent to make major strides this summer. I heard Caron state that he is going to be on these youngins this summer especially Nick and Andray. We will have to wait and see!!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Not an up and coming team? Philly closed 22-11; what would you call that? And it was *trading* AI that made it possible; they sure don’t need to re-sign him.

Yes, it’s a question how fast and far Brand comes back. But people do come back from these injuries now.

As to “major strides” by “younguns” — note that Thaddeus Young made major strides in the 2d half last year, while Nick Young didn’t. TY is 2-3 years *younger* than Nick, btw.

No, we don’t “know right now we are the 4th or 5th seed in the east.” We don’t know anything right now.

Comment from RDOT51
Time July 9, 2008 at 12:53 PM

AI means the new AI “Iggy” first of all. And yes people do come back from injuries in the NBA. But how effective will they be is the question. Thaddeus Young did make strides but then again he got consistent minutes on a team that doesnt have huge depth such as the wizards do in their backcourt. And right now we do know that the Wizards are a 4th or 5th seed in the east b/c they have consistently been there for last 4 years. We use “up and Coming team” so much nowadays its really sickening and I just don’t see Philly being that team next year. Yes they made strides but that was only for the last 2 months of the season. I need to see it for a full season b4 they get that title. Arent we forgetting that a year ago “Golden State” was that team. If you put Philly in that category you might as well put Atlanta in that category also.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 9, 2008 at 1:05 PM

D-mac: miller is not a free agent so i dont think the 76ers are gonna have a problem with signing iggy and brand

Comment from wufan23
Time July 12, 2008 at 10:57 AM

You guys have a high flyer in Taj McCullough from Winthrop at your camp this summer. Here is a link to what he can do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXIH_snGmyI