Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 7:48 AM

Neal,

Looks like it just going to be just me and you, meet you at the bar.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 7:51 AM

Shaq going to Cleveland. I don’t think that’s going to work. So is Cleveland looking to trade big Z?

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 8:39 AM

I’m still excited about the trade. It makes us a really deep team. Is there any chance the Wizards go after Orlando’s backup center (Marcin Gortat)? Everyone talks about the job P. Ewing did with D. Howard and Yao, what about there backups they had to be trained right along with them.

Comment from eri_2
Time June 25, 2009 at 8:40 AM

I personally dont think so since Shaq might not last the whole season. If they even do trade him I don’t think we should be one of the teams to trade him since we already have Haywood and McGee and just need a big PF. If they did trade him and Shaq went down then they would be left with nothing and pretty much stuck with last years team which IMO won’t win the championship. I also think even with Shaq they won’t win the championship because of his age and the fact that he is not as dominating as he once was.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 8:51 AM

I don’t want Big Z here. Just wondering what they are going to do with him.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:08 AM

If Ernie says we’re going to take a backup big man in round 2, that can only mean he has his eye on a shooting guard or point!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:11 AM

Cleveland trades for Shaq, but that’s not going to help them? Get real.

Comment from wiz123
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:19 AM

tom – what bout hendrix? you were high on him during last year’s draft. is he available to us?

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:26 AM

Just so you know Marcin Gortat is a free agent that only made $700,000 last year. I think he is a good back up center.

Comment from wiz123
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:43 AM

millie – i agree gortat is good. the biggest problem is just about every other nba team thinks he is pretty good as well…he is expected to get at least the full MLE…bout 5-6mil i think…i doubt the wizards could afford him.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 9:51 AM

Right… tho of course we’d love to have him.

Richard Hendrix — yes, he is a FA I think. He will certainly be on someone’s summer league team and in a camp. I like him a lot.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 10:23 AM

Cleveland runs the “LeBron” offense, which is a half-court and slow developing scheme (because LeBron holds the ball to survey his options). This style is perfect for Shaq now since he doesn’t have to haul his 330 lbs (generous estimation) up and down the court all the time. The Suns didn’t run the SSOL (7 seconds or less) offense after D’antoni left, but they were still running up-tempo under Terry Porter (and may still now with Gentry). Shaq was motivated for about 4 months with the Suns last season until they realized they weren’t able to overtake the Hornets, Blazers, and Jazz for a playoff spot.

A motivated Shaq, even at 37 years old, is problematic for the better Centers in the East: Dwight Howard, Haywood, Dalembert, heck – even Perkins. And when you add Ilgaukas to the mix, Cleveland’s frontcourt is dominant. With a new “twin towers”, LeBron can get two screens from Z and Shaq for easy buckets or kick out to the 3 point shooters.

Haywood has shown he plays well against both Shaq and Z. However, there is only 1 Brendan, so the Wiz are already at a disadvantage if the projected Cavs lineup is Mo, Delonte, LeBron, Shaq at the 4!!!, and Z. Or, if they resign Varejao, AV is going to start at the 4 and Shaq will come off the bench.

Just like Washington, Cleveland has a 1 year window to get the trophy with current rosters intact. And if Shaq wants to one-up Kobe in the rings department (which I’m sure he does), he’s already motivated enough to help LBJ beat the West.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Gortat makes less money than SportzWiz. His agent is already asking for a big pay raise – along the lines of 5 million per year mid-level exception.

And, Gortat is a RESTRICTED free agent.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 10:34 AM

I’m going to sound like the blogger that couldn’t stop wanting Christmas here, Dionte that is.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

It’s time to get James Singleton.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2009 at 10:44 AM

I only wish Wizards_fusion!

FYI RANDY FOYE AND MIKE MIILLER WILL BE INTRODUCED AT 7pm tonight and WE WILL HAVE LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE EVENT. I will post the link later today.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Hey SportzWiz, wow so the presser will be tonight, Draft night? hmmm, well I look forward to it. I look forward to our selection in the second round, I think whomever we select will give us a clue on what future moves we will make to the roster.

Also look at the Pistons bench, Joe D may want to make some moves to his bench, I actually love Jason Maxiell and he would be a great fit for us. We have some assets that the Pistons may want, just a thought. Also Walter Hermann aka Fabio, like his game as well and of course Flip is very familiar with both players.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 11:13 AM

Thanks SportzWiz, I look forward to the presser tonight, wow the same night as the draft huh? I believe that we will have a better indication of what our next move or moves may be after our second round selection tonight. Also I look at a couple of bench players for the Pistons that Flip would probably love to have on our current roster that maybe Joe D would entertain such as Walter Hermann and Jason Maxiell. I think we have a spot for one of these players, and maybe package James and JCritt or Foye for one of the above players, just a thought…..I know that the Pistons need some help in the backcourt and would jump on James for a year.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2009 at 11:27 AM

Its going to be a busy night jeffmalone, im hoping everyone will join us and we have a very active night on the blog. We also might have a few new features tonight. Stay tuned.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time June 25, 2009 at 11:41 AM

Dang,

I would say do this since ESPN Zone isn’t a “go”, but I’ll be out of town…..but it still may be fun to attend

Two great NBA events travel to DC. Don’t miss NBA Nation presented by T-Mobile & Kia Motors and NBA Jam Van presented by Doublemint

Safeway Barbecue Battle XVII
Saturday, June 27, 11:00am-9:00pm
Sunday, June 28, 11:00am-7:30pm

Cost
Adults: $10
Ages 6-12: $5
Under 5: FREE

This is basketball country, and we call it NBA Nation… Whether you’re eight years old, or eighty; if you’re a face-painter for your favorite team or you just love the game, NBA Nation wants you!

Special appearances by Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittendon, Etan Thomas, Nick Young, G-Wiz, the Wizard Girls & the Mystics Mayhem!*

Comment from JayP
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM

yes draft night ,and hey look at the Ex Champions the celtics they only really had one center Kendrick Perkins and he was still not 7 feet so we have it better than they did up front well besides KG haha….but hopefull someone with interest slips to us and we can use him as bait along with Mike James for a veteran big man..

Comment from JayP
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:14 PM

any thoughts on Channing Frye hes a big and cant be that expensive..

Comment from JayP
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM

another trade haha! we send mike james and the 2nd rnd pick to portland for Joel Przybilla..

Comment from wtop
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:18 PM

I am ready Dave for the blog party hopefully you can have some guests also

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:33 PM

Lets see, we send them two axle bearings and a broken carburetor, and in return they send us a low-mileage Honda Accord.

You have to *solve a problem for someone* — you know… give them something they want! — in order to make a trade. Portland has a hundred draft picks; why would they want ours? Why would they want Mike James?

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Tom do you know how much cap space we have after than trade? and would we even come close to throwing our hat into the ring for David Lee?

Comment from JayP
Time June 25, 2009 at 1:39 PM

Josh Heytvelt is he good ???… and tom no idk im just throwing up ideas so we can get a big..

Comment from GlingGling
Time June 25, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Tom, someone may want James for his expiring contract. Someone looking to clear cap space for 10-11. He makes sense for someone’s longer term plans.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Here’s a list of free agents that if the Wizards can’t make a trade with the second round pick should look at to beef up the front court. This list is only of players I think we can afford.

Mikki Moore-33
Jerome James-33
Chris Andersen-30 (maybe)
Steven Hunter-27
Jamaal Magloire-31
Jarron Collins-30
Jake Voskuhl-31
Jason Collins-30

These players are all better than the Calivn Booth and Micheal Ruffin we had back in the day.

Comment from GlingGling
Time June 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM

millie mill, I think Chris Andersen is out of our league. He’s gonna get an awesome contract this year (#1 blocks/48min , energy out the waa zoo).

We already added an awesome player in Mike Miller, if we got Chris Andersen too… that’d put us right up into the eastern conference finals.

Comment from eri_2
Time June 25, 2009 at 2:57 PM

I have seen a few bloggers call Pollin cheap so here is a news article from this year to say otherwise.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/20/wizards-owner-pollin-ready-to-pay-penalty-to-win/

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM

GlingGling,

I know Chris Anderson may require a big pay day and well deserved. According to this article the Wizards saved 3 million in doing this trade. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/Wizards-blow-it-again-49027221.html
3 million is the most I would offer a reserve center. I would like for them to go after Drew Gooden but don’t think that’s going to happen.

Comment from vitality08
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:08 PM

I was just reading that some prospects like BJ Mullens and Eric Maynor have declined their green room invites for the draft. My question is “why would someone do that?” I can understand if the invitation came late and you already had other “plans” but what’s the reason for not wanting to be front and center on draft night?

Thanks for anyone that can answer.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:10 PM

Question – who wants to pay taxes?

Answer – no one!

Abe is not “cheap”; he just does not believe in shelling out extra for the luxury tax (he doesn’t have a choice now).

I mean, why hire a GM if his/her job is be to financially irresponsible? Any bozo can get players if the owner is stupid enough to not care where his/her money goes (see Knicks and James Dolan).

Grunfeld did the right thing by getting 2 major positives and 1 major negative from the trade:

+ dumping bad salaries
+ getting wing players that can shoot

- losing frontcourt depth

Cost benefit analysis worked to the Wizards’ favor and the deal was done.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:13 PM

@ vitality08:

my theories are

1. Their stocks are dropping and they don’t want to be embarrassed sitting in the green room by himself as the last one to go.

2. They may not have been able to get a loan to buy a nice suit or get enough money to get their family to go up there. These guys are not like LeBron where he was already driving a Hummer in high school.

Comment from vitality08
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:19 PM

2. They may not have been able to get a loan to buy a nice suit or get enough money to get their family to go up there. These guys are not like LeBron where he was already driving a Hummer in high school.

Thanks for the answer…but this brings up another question: Who pays for the prospects to fly all across the country for the combine’s and workouts? Do the agents front the money and get it back once the contract is signed?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:20 PM

GlingGling — you’re right. My bad. On the other hand, I don’t think we are looking to add any long-term contracts. But… it’s Ernie — you never know!

JayP — No problem; keep the ideas coming!

W4L — we have no cap space. Like most teams, we’re over the cap. We are also probably over the Luxury Tax limit. We traded about equivalent salaries for this year w/ Minnesota — and as you know, them’s the rules. Salaries have to match w/in 15% for a trade to be legal.

Now, we *did* clear about $5m for *next* year, because DS was signed for longer. But… we got some guys expiring whom we’re going to want to keep — so there’s more re-sign now.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:23 PM

@ vitality08

I asked the same question awhile back and SportzWiz said that the team pays for the travels and workouts of draftees (like when Curry came to Washington, the Wizards paid for Curry to come here). The combine – I’m not sure.; maybe the NBA pays for them?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:26 PM

My guess is we’ll get depth at the 4-5 via a trade or our 2d round pick. We don’t have $$ to add a quality veteran just by signing him (and I think can’t do it anyway because we’re over the cap).

Given that we’ve got lots of guards, you have to assume that if we’re trading we’d offer Mike, Randy or DeShawn to someone for a big. Critt doesn’t have a big enough salary to facilitate a trade (tho he could be part of a package with DeShawn I guess), and obviously we’re not trading Gil or Mike Miller. Nick also doesn’t have a salary to help much in a trade for a quality big.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:32 PM

Back to the Shaq trade — I think it helps Cleveland *a lot.* Especially with Orlando, obviously, but also vs. Boston. They still need a long, athletic wing player, but they’re much improved because of this trade.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:39 PM

I’m glad no Cavs fans read this blog until the Wiz/Cavs meet in the playoffs as I have a new nickname for Shaq:

The Big Mistake (by the Lake)

- – nicknames (source: wikipedia) – -
Shaq
The Diesel
Shaq Fu
The Big Aristotle
The Big Daddy
Superman
The Big Agave
The Big Cactus
The Big Shaqtus
The Big Galactus
Wilt Chamberneezy
The Big Baryshnikov
The Real Deal
Dr. Shaq
Shaqovic

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:43 PM

LOL!! — I love that, man.

(But… it ain’t true; sorry!)

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:44 PM

Funny clip on Randy Foye!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6bWAp_RO9U

Comment from neal
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:45 PM

Millie, I thought there were going to be 5 of us. Did others fink out? I’m going anyway. I trust there will be a TV tuned to the draft. What metro stop is best?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:49 PM

Is Ernie taking us *altogether* out of this draft? Just nabbed this:

“Mike Jones: League insider: Wizards talking to “lots” of people in regards to deal involving 32nd pick. Twitter.com”

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 3:59 PM

6 point whatever million is good money to trade Mike James + 32nd for a solid frontcourt player.

If Grunfeld wants to swing big again, he may be able to package Stevenson too – and now you have like 10 million dollars to work with.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:01 PM

I’m afraid that other teams want assets like Nick Young, Blatche, and/or McGee too along with the 32nd pick.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:08 PM

Neal,

Metro Center

http://www.espnzone.com/washingtondc/directions.shtml

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:09 PM

The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:11 PM

Heck – why don’t the Wizards get other all-stars since the SouthEast division is now loaded?

I feel like the desperate GMs (Ferry and Otis Smith) are stockpiling aging talent hoping these superstars can boost them for a championship.

The NBA, where the cold-war happens.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Orlando will be a crazy stacked team. Not enoght basketballs. With this move it looks like they don’t think they have a chance to sign Hedo Turkoglu.

Comment from GlingGling
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:25 PM

If I were Orlando I’m not sure I’d be giving up Courtney Lee. Sure he missed some big shots, but he missed them as rookie, not a mistake he’ll likely be making again.

Comment from millie mill
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:31 PM

The Nets will have the most lottery balls next year. There record will be 15- 67. Jarvis Hayes will be there second leading scorer.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:39 PM

I think the Twolves will have the worst record. Growing pains for a really young team.

Nets got some pieces and Lawrence Frank is a good coach. I think they’ll hover around the lower third of the Eastern Conference.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:53 PM

Wow the trades before the draft, has stolen this years draft’s thunder! If Vince goes to the Magic, OMG! The east will be stacked with a few club’s contending. Man Vince, Hedo (when he re-signs), Howard, Nelson and Lewis, wow. Man the games in our eastern division are going to be really good! It will be fun to see how we match up, and too be honest I like that trade for the Nets as well, Lee and Alston, wow.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:56 PM

@Tom I will give you credit for your Mike Miller prediction, . And if we trade the second round pick and package it with a vet, I also posted that a few threads back as well.

Comment from gbkdc
Time June 25, 2009 at 4:57 PM

No more drug virus!!! The blog looks great! Thanks!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:09 PM

its been a busy few days leading up to the draft hasn’t it jeffmalone!

no problem gbkdc, sorry about that

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:12 PM

Sportzwiz, yes it has, WOW! I know a here that T-Mac will be moved tonight as well, can you remember so many big name trades going down at draft time?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:15 PM

More on the proposed trade with the Magic and the Nets:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4287197

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:17 PM

Guys I still like Maxiell and Hermann, IMO…for our current team

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:27 PM

SportzWiz checking in…We will have a new feature on the blog tonight (starting around 630). We will have updated polls that you can vote on or make your own choices. The polls will be updated throughout the nite so check back often as we will keep updating them with your thoughts on the Draft. Enjoy!

Comment from neal
Time June 25, 2009 at 5:42 PM

Grifon, if you show up tonight the first salami sandwich is on me!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 6:26 PM

Wow Michael Jackson has passed away………..

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 25, 2009 at 7:07 PM

Amare to the Warriors maybe as well, wow???

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Watching the presser while trying to lean over my desk to keep the tv in view….

Comment from gbkdc
Time June 25, 2009 at 8:15 PM

I have had nothing but technical difficulties all day! First I had to miss lunch to work on a corrupt document, then I was late to finish a project because of it, traffic was horrendous, I had to pick up my husband because the red line was not running smoothly, etc etc. I am finally home and ready to watch this draft. I was planning to go to ESPN Zone, but then all heck broke loose!

Comment from Babakism
Time June 26, 2009 at 3:50 AM

I can’t beleive there is not a single blog on here complaining that Dejuan Blair fell right into the wizards hands and we tossed him aside like loose change. Dejuan Blair is everything down low this team has been missing for years. I don’t care if he is only 6-6 and plays at rim level. He is a physical speciman and will knock around any center in the east. When you watch the way he played at Pitt how can you not see that translating into the NBA. Top program, top team, top conference in NCAA last year. There is a reason why the Spurs are consistantly one of the best teams in the league every year. It’s cause teams like us and 20 other teams pass on guys like Dejuan Blair.

Comment from dmac
Time June 26, 2009 at 7:02 AM

We will be ok. Just be patient. EG will bring us some veteran frontline hep. Don’t forget Dray will get a lot of playing time at the four spot. We really need a back up center like a bruiser name ZaZa Pachulia or we will work things out to sign a midlevel player .

Comment from DA-Wiz
Time June 26, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Yeah, it looks like Ernie really did not like this draft. He chose to take cash over taking a chance on Blair. I am sure he’s looking at trading or free agency to help out the frontcourt. We still need to dump Stevenson and James. Wonder what mid level bigs we could get for them.

Not to second guess EG, but we could have had Curry and Blair without giving up anything.