Haywood Talks Summer/Summer League Roster Change
SportzWiz checking in…As I mentioned in the comments section there was a change to the Wiz summer league roster as Dwyane Anderson has replaced Jason Rich on the roster. Click here for highlights of Anderson’s pre-draft workouts.
In other news, I was able to catch up with Brendan Haywood yesterday and here is a Q and A with Haywood. In the Q & A, Haywood talks about his summer, the new coaching staff, the recent rade and his blog.
Posted: July 8th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Sportswiz — no question, Brendan is going to be a terrific broadcast guy. I expect to see him on ESPN one day soon. Nice q’na, but I wish you’d asked him what he thinks about Curry! 
Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:13 PM
If a team wants to be successful in the playoffs:
1. It has to reconcile itself to going over the luxury tax salary limit.
2. Spending more than the limit won’t guarantee success. Good players, good coaches and few injuries are also necessary.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:20 PM
i saw on his blog that he said curry can really shoot . No surprise there.
I agree. Brendan was playing great in camp last year when he went down.
Also a quick update, just got a note on summer league. All the games will be available with live streaming fora price of $14.99. The games will be available on-demand for up to one week following the conclusion of the league’s final game for people that purchase the subscription.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Last year the lakers had a total salary of about 72.5 million and the Knicks had a total salary of about 96.5 million so spending more money does not necessarily correlate to more success.
Comment from Reuben
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:37 PM
sorry sportzwiz about my bad bad bad shooting game. I normally play quiet a lot better, I didnt earn the nickname rubio for no reason.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:39 PM
haha, its all good reuben. I think you were pressing a little (to all the bloggers out there, Reuben was hitting the boards hard though! He had a handful of offensive boards))
Comment from Aj
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Yesterday, someone asked me if i was mille mille so i change my picture to try to be more distinct. I told you guys that i was 14… Last year the summer leauge games were on nba tv, so i guessing nba.com will have highlights of games the day after there played.
Comment from Aj
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:41 PM
i guess it takes time for my picture to change
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
i see the change AJ. I just refreshed the page.
NBA.Com will have highlights.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 5:18 PM
are none of the games going to be on CSN, as they were last year? If not, that’s a drag!
I’m watching Orlando summer league a bit on the net, and it’s hard to see anything really.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 8, 2009 at 5:23 PM
i have heard nothing regarding that Tom.
the one good thing about purchasing the package is that the games will be on demand so you can watch them at anytime.
Comment from GlingGling
Time July 8, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I guess the NBA is in as much financial trouble as anyone else. It looks like they’ve found a way to generate revenue from the Summer League.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Toronto is sending Sean Marion to Dallas in a sign and trade and taking back Jerry Stackhouse only $2m of whose $7m contract is guaranteed. Toronto, the article I read said, will then trade that contract to… someone.
It wouldn’t be out of the question for “someone” to be the Wizards (for Mike James?). We’d then cut Stackhouse and save $4.5m — almost under the salary cap!!
But not for long — the deal would leave us with only 12 players. Then we’d be able to sign a FA for the front line.
Of course, the Marion Stackhouse deal may have *nothing* to do with us. But if it does, it’s clever dealing by Ernie, as it gives us more flexibility in acquiring a big.
Comment from GlingGling
Time July 8, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Neal, I think you are absolutely correct about teams needing to reconcile with the idea of going of the lux tax. As you said, throwing money at a problem doesn’t guarantee anything, but it sure helps if you do it right.
Let’s take the spurs, according to HoopsHype they are at 71mil and they just signed McDyess the mid-level exception (which he’s likely to take). The lux tax is ~$70mil. The mid level is 5.6 mil. Include a light salary for DeJuan Blair and they are gonna be paying probably close to $7mil in lux tax. Could they do it without McDyess? Sure, but with McDyess they’ve got a much better chance to put up a fight against L.A. (who’s salaries with Ron Ron is $84mil!!)
So do you need to go over the lux tax to be a contender? I’d almost go as far as saying yes, but I won’t. I’ll say, “There is a price to pay for winning.”
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I’m watching the Orlando Summer League game between Orlando and the Philly/NJ team.
Richard Hendrix is on Orlando’s team, and he is playing *extremely well.* Big-time rebounding, very effective put-backs, and quite good passing too.
Love the guy! Grab him, Ernie.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 8:43 PM
The announcers are saying that Hendrix has a shot to make the Magic roster (to replace Tony Battie).
For those of you who don’t remember or weren’t here last year — Richard Hendrix is the guy I was *pleading* with us to take w/ our Round 2 pick. Like this year, we traded it away for $$.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 8:45 PM
GlingGling — I think this year teams may have to go over the tax just to get their guys on the court! Let alone to win.
And it’s projected to be worse next year — by far — with the tax level potentially falling to $63m.
Comment from kg
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I like what I saw with Richard Hendrix too. He also played well the last two days. It’s hard not seeing Josh McRoberts killing on the court today due to sprain ankle. He was a monster out there the last two games.
Comment from dmac
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Hey Tom on NBA.com Richard Hendrix is listed on the roster in the NBA Development league of the Dakota Wizards. The Wahington Wizards along with the Grizzlies have first access to that team.
If Hendrix does not sign with Orlando or any one else before the season starts then starts out with Dakota we could bring him up during the season. Hendrix averaged 14 and 11 last year for Dakota.
He reminds me of a Paul Milsap, Brandon Bass type player.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Dmac I think anyone playing in the D league is eligible to play for any NBA team. We would have equal access to him if he weren’t signed, yes.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:21 PM
weren’t signed??? Wasn’t signed geees lol
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I wonder how many teams will be under the luxury tax this season. Probably not many.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:46 PM
**Breaking News** (maybe)
I was informed by a source near the Seattle area that the Wizards have invited Point Guard (don’t cringe @ Tom M.) Ira Graham for a personal tryout.
Can SportzWiz or anyone confirm this information? I wonder if it is the Dakota Wizards instead of Washington Wizards.
Comment from GlingGling
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Grifon, very few… which brings up an interesting point.
From wikipedia: lux tax revenues are normally redistributed evenly among non-tax-paying teams.
There are a lot of teams that are way over the limit. And if many teams will be over the limit, even by a small amount… wouldn’t the few teams under the limit be entitled to a boatload of extra money?
I wonder how it will actually go down.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 8, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Speaking of breaking news, I have another question.
Wiz picked up a new assistant coach Mike Wells and there is no information about him at all.
Comment from neal
Time July 8, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Doesn’t quite work that way GlingGling. Each team that’s under the lux tax limit gets 1/30 of the luxury taxes. So let’s say that 12 teams are under the luxury tax limit. That means the league gets to keep 18/30 of the luxury tax.
Comment from GlingGling
Time July 8, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Neal, thanks for the info. I thought it might be something sneaky like that. Looks like the league is in for a boatload of money .
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 1:51 AM
The news is David Stern recently bought a chain of islands in the Bahamas
Comment from millie mill
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Good article in the Washington post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070803938.html
“Since the NBA free agent recruiting period began on July 1, the Wizards have reached out to about 10 players. According to league sources, that list includes veterans such as Chris Wilcox, Channing Frye, Fabricio Oberto, Joe Smith, Rasho Nesterovic, Sean Marks, Jamaal Magloire and Jason Collins. The Wizards are willing to be patient, with the hope that one of their targeted players will sign as the market begins to shrink. “
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:05 AM
Grifon — “weren’t signed” is correct: subjunctive case.
Yeah, everyone has equal access to guys in the D League. It’s not like the minor leagues in baseball.
Richard Hendrix — obviously, summer league results don’t translate directly into the NBA. Still, I think he’ll be a productive player. Brandon Bass would be a good comparison, as they are very similar physically. Ditto Millsap — but in that case you’re talking about a guy who has developed into one of the better 4s in the league.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:19 AM
millie mill — I don’t much like that list. I don’t want Wilcox, Frye, Marks, Magloire or Collins at any price.
Oberto had a good season a couple of years ago, but he is 34; ditto Nesterovic at 33. Joe Smith is a cut above the others on the list, and he might be a good influence on our younger guys.
Still, why not develop a young player, if not a lot of minutes are on the line?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:25 AM
The same article millie mill quotes continues:
Grunfeld said yesterday that the team is unlikely to use the mid-level exception… “If you do…, it will cost you $10 million for that player. I don’t think there is a $10 million player left out there in the marketplace…. I don’t see another big man coming and playing significant minutes for us, but someone who can come in and play a role.”
I respond to this the way I usually do to Ernie’s statements to the media — “Hmmm,” I think, “I wonder what he *really* has in mind!”
I’m thinking there’ll be a trade.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Thanks Tom. It just didn’t look right
I’ll have to admit a trade sounds much more exciting than waiting around till the end of trading to pick up “pieces”.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 10:33 AM
SportzWiz how is Deshawn’s back rehab going?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2009 at 10:48 AM
last i heard with deshawn he was doing well and was still doing his rehab. Havent heard much else, but ernie addressed it during one of hte press conferences this summer (cant remember which one off the top of my head)
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
What ever happened to Frank Elegar? As I recall he looked pretty good in last years summer league for us. Is he still playing overseas?
Comment from dmac
Time July 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM
The other day Tom you said you would consider looking at Channing Frye. Now you dont want him at any price. If these guy’s are bargain price guy’s then that is a great thing if they can sign one of them especially, Channing Frye, Chris Wilcox, Rasho Nesterovic or Joe Smith.
Tom stop being so tough.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 11:45 AM
We aren’t going to get champaigne on a beer budget. I think those guys are prime candidates Dmac. I haven’t heard of any Drew Gooden news either. Maybe?
Comment from Rick
Time July 9, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Hey SportsWiz, thanks for the info about the Vegas summer league package. For $15, I’ll take the plunge. If you hear about a specific link to purchase that, I’d appreciate it.
I’m really interested to see how Javaris and Nick look this summer… Javale too, but the guards are the ones who’ll be fighting for minutes most.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2009 at 12:31 PM
no problem Rick. Just checked it out here is the link.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Here are a few names, Walter Hermann, Chris Mihm, Chris Wilcox, Shelden Williams, Malik Allen, Melvin Ely and Jamaal Magloire that may come up at a bragin for our roster.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Love the idea of Oberto, Joe Smith or Wilcox…Please say no to Rasho, lol…and Collins.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Stomile Swift, is also available
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 9, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Do you want LBJ, Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade to be playing for the Wiz next year?
The only way to do it is to trade for the one player player that has the highest salary in the NBA who has only one year left in his contract.
The Houston Rockets would love to get rid of Tracy McGrady and his $23,239,561 contract.
The Wiz could trade:
Mike Miller, $9,000,000 (expiring contract)
Mike James, $6,466,000 (expiring contract)
Deshawn Stevenson $3,886,928 (great contract)
Javaris Crittenton $1,477,920 (young great contract)
McGrady and Miller play the same position.
We can sign one of the big three for the max for 6 years.
With the team salary most likely going down even more next year this seems like the only way to get one of the big three.
If you were one of the big three wouldn’t you rather go to a team with 3 all stars than to a horrible team like the Knicks or Memphis or Sacramento?
(how about sticking Bosh up front? Wow!)
Just an idea worth exploring.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 9, 2009 at 2:24 PM
@ JeffMalone:
What’s the problem with Nesterovic? The Wiz need a token Euro “big man” on the team at all times. Without Pech and Darius, what’s the team to do?
At 1.9 million per year, that’s pretty low. If any of those guys mentioned takes this salary rate, I’ll be content.
Also, I thought Mihm is already set in Memphis.
- -
@ Pipe Dream
So, a team composed of Arenas, TMac, and Amare would change the team name to Washington Wounded Knees aka “The Most Powerful City In the World with ACL Tears”. This will be a great team … on NBA2K10. You don’t even need to cheat to make rosters this good.
You don’t need Charles Barkley to hurt digital Dwight when using the Wounded Knees. The guys would just collapse naturally.
McGrady is washed up now at the ripe age of 30. He has a history of bad backs too – worse than DeShawn’s. I already complained about Amare and I don’t need to repeat my sentiments. As for Gil – who knows? He can have an awesome career from this moment on, injury-free, or he’ll be like Webber – where something always happen in subsequent years after signing a big contract.
I root for Gil because he made basketball relevant again in Washington. MJ brought the fans, but he couldn’t even propel the team to the playoffs. Gil also cares that he can be as popular as Ovie here and he wants that love back. It is hard for me to fault a guy working hard (sometimes too hard) to be good.
If I were TMac, I would try baseball. I mean, baseball was his first love and he can certainly play A ball in the minors. Amare can make movies and be the next Carl Weathers in Rocky 7 or something with Sly and have a cameo of GR in some Chiquita banana outfit for an unsuspecting Neal. Tom M. could be drinking away somewhere in the Caribbean like Hemingway and telling stories to the locals of how DeJuan Blair got away (in Espanol).
Oops, TMI, for now. I need some lunch.
Comment from Rick
Time July 9, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Thanks SportsWiz
Comment from neal
Time July 9, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Fun reading, fusion.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
everybody needs to ask reuben what he thought of Nick’s dunk.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
(fyi nick and dom came to speak to the campers today, i’ll have photos later today)
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Whoa — getting kinda dizzy around here: esp. wiz_fusion.
dmac — you’re right, I was being a little harsh. I think it’s because I somehow really want that kid Richard Hendrix to wind up on our team, where I *know* he would prosper. *That’s* the pipedream.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 6:15 PM
jmpalomo — the GM of Houston is Darryl Morey. He has a degree from MIT. Do you think he might see the same value in Tracy McGrady’s expiring contract that you do? I guess so, huh?
Now, tell me again. Why is he going to trade this value for the 4 players you want to give him?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 6:17 PM
jm90 — Stromile Swift? Please tell me you are kidding.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Guys just wanted to take a moment to give major kudos to Glenn Consor and the entire Wizards organization for the basketball camp at the Verizon Center. So a special thank you to Wes Unseld, Javale McGee, Nick Young, Dom McGuire and the Mystics staff and all the coaches.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 6:57 PM
@Tom-I was not kidding, Stromile Swift is available and that was my only point. As well as the list of other big men mentioned above.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Hey SportzWiz thanks again for all of the summer recap thus far, and if you run into Dave and Glenn please tell them hello.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 9, 2009 at 7:13 PM
List of Unrestricted FA’s (Forward\Center combo)
Collins, Jarron F-C 30 8yrs UFA
Frye, Channing F-C 26 4yrs RFA
LaFrentz, Raef F-C 33 11yrs UFA
Marks, Sean F-C 33 10yrs UFA
O’Neal, Jermaine F-C 30 13yrs UFA*
Ratliff, Theo F-C 36 14yrs UFA
Wright, Lorenzen F-C 33 13yrs UFA
Complete List of Forwards unsigned
Allen, Malik F 30 9yrs UFA* MIL — —
Barnes, Matt F 29 7yrs UFA PHX — —
Bass, Brandon F 24 4yrs UFA DAL — —
Baston, Maceo F 34 5yrs UFA IND — —
Bowen, Ryan F 33 9yrs UFA NOH — —
Brown, Kwame F 27 8yrs UFA* DET — —
Carney, Rodney F 25 3yrs UFA MIN — —
Cook, Brian F 28 6yrs UFA* HOU — —
Davis, Glen F 23 2yrs RFA BOS — —
Diawara, Yakhouba^ F 26 3yrs UFA* MIA — —
Diogu, Ike F 25 4yrs RFA SAC — —
Gooden, Drew F 27 7yrs UFA SAS — —
Gortat, Marcin F 25 2yrs RFA ORL — —
Graham, Joey F 27 4yrs RFA TOR — —
Green, Gerald F 23 4yrs UFA DAL — —
Harrington, Al F 29 11yrs UFA* NYK — —
Herrmann, Walter F 29 3yrs RFA DET — —
Hill, Grant F 36 15yrs UFA PHX — —
Howard, Juwan F 36 15yrs UFA CHA — —
Hunter, Othello F 23 1yrs UFA ATL — —
Jones, Solomon F 24 3yrs RFA ATL — —
Kleiza, Linas F 24 4yrs RFA DEN — —
Kurz, Robert F 24 1yrs RFA GSW — —
Lee, David F 26 4yrs RFA NYK — —
Marshall, Donyell F 36 15yrs UFA PHI — —
Martin, Cartier F 24 1yrs RFA CHA — —
Mason, Desmond F 31 9yrs UFA OKC — —
May, Sean F 25 4yrs RFA CHA — —
McRoberts, Josh F 22 2yrs RFA IND — —
Mensah-Bonsu, Pops F 25 2yrs RFA TOR — —
Miles, Darius F 27 9yrs UFA MEM — —
Millsap, Paul F 24 3yrs RFA UTA — —
Moon, Jamario F 28 2yrs RFA MIA — —
Novak, Steve F 25 3yrs RFA LAC — —
Odom, Lamar F 29 10yrs UFA LAL — —
Powe, Leon F 25 3yrs RFA BOS — —
Randolph, Shavlik F 24 4yrs UFA POR — —
Rose, Malik F 34 13yrs UFA OKC — —
Ruffin, Michael F 32 9yrs UFA POR — —
Simmons, Cedric F 23 3yrs UFA SAC — —
Singleton, James F 27 3yrs RFA DAL — —
Skinner, Brian F 33 11yrs UFA* LAC — —
Smith, Joe F 33 14yrs UFA CLE — —
Swift, Stromile F 29 9yrs UFA PHX — —
Szczerbiak, Wally F 32 10yrs UFA CLE — —
Thomas, Etan F 31 9yrs UFA*** WAS — —
Udoka, Ime F 31 6yrs UFA SAS — —
Warrick, Hakim F 26 4yrs RFA MEM — —
Wilcox, Chris F 26 7yrs UFA NYK — —
Wilkins, Damien F 29 5yrs UFA*** OKC
Williams, Marvin F 22 4yrs RFA ATL — —
Williams, Shelden F 25 3yrs UFA MIN
Comment from Aj
Time July 9, 2009 at 7:29 PM
I like brandon bass, joe smith, chris wilcox, and leon powe. I heard the celtics were not going to re-sign powe because of injury problems.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Those camp pics of Nick Young show he gained weight and muscle – a good sign for him to sustain an 82-game season and more. I’m happy he’s hitting that pasta.
After checking out the list posted by JeffMalone, I side with Tom M. on taking a chance at a walk-on rookie for the last roster spot. Or, sign guys to 10-day contracts on a need basis.
Nick Fazekas is playing on the Celtics Summer League team. I’m watching the SL contest between the Magic and Celtics and Fazekas is having a problem boxing out Tyler Hansborough.
[personal note - I can't watch the SL stuff with local commentary. Those guys are terrible. They have no respect for anyone. The 2 guys doing the Celtics broadcast are bad-mouthing some Boston fan that doesn't like them: calling him names that I can't even type here and they're saying it on the broadcast. Also, the commentators don't even talk about the action - they talk about stupid s*** not related to the game. However, muting the game means I won't know what's going on. It is disgusting but I have no choice.].
Comment from neal
Time July 9, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Why does the list include Etan Thomas?
Wasn’t Lorenzen Wright a Bullet for several years? We finally cut him because he couldn’t stay healthy. Had to just eat the rest of his contract. Who has he been playing for?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Minneapolis may have renounced etan.
Lorenzen Wright has never been a Bullet/Wizard, neal.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 9, 2009 at 9:23 PM
@ Neal:
Maybe you’re thinking of Jahidi White?
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 9, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Hey Tom,
From what I had been hearing leading up to free agency that McGrady has been shopped around but had no takers.
Getting rid of McGrady would obviously rid them of a crippled player. They would add a good third guard in Deshawn and a point guard project in Crittendon.
Not to mention Mike Miller for a year.
If the Wiz do not make a trade like this then they have absolutely no shot at one of the big three without giving up Caron and others in a sign and trade.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 9, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I can’t see the Wizards having a shot at Wade or James in any case. And Bosh is not in the class of those two.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Wiz Fusion… funny stuff bud lol
Comment from neal
Time July 9, 2009 at 11:21 PM
There was a tall skinny C that we signed off another team, giving him a multi-year deal. Not Jahidi White. He scarcely played. After 3 years we cut him to free a roster spot.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 9, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Hey Neal. Are you maybe thinking of Lorenzo Williams? He played for us a couple years around 99 I think. If memory serves he had injury issues when here.
Comment from Babakism
Time July 10, 2009 at 3:43 AM
Yea he is thinking of Lorenzo Williams who actually led the league in blocks one year when he was in dallas.
Comment from Babakism
Time July 10, 2009 at 3:52 AM
ANDERSON VAREJAO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Nothing beats coming home from a long hard night at work and reading that the Cavs signed Anderson Varajao to a $50 million dollar deal. Sure he is a great hustle player but he has no offense and can’t block shots on Defense. His best move on D is the flop which he does so much they began to ignore it in the playoffs. This is worse than the contract we gave Etan.
Further more they are paying him the same money as Hedo Turgolu. What sense does that make???
Who would you rather have on your team, Shawn Marion or Andy VaradouchO???? Obviously Marion who is getting 10 Mil less lol
This is so awesome, all the kings men are being lined up to watch him bolt cause they aren’t good enough to get the job done.
Maybe next cleveland will get T.O. to come play basketball for them. Cause they are deffinetly heading down a road of destruction.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Another guy who hasn’t been mentioned is Theo Ratliff — no doubt available at a reasonable salary. Does he have any gas left in his tank? I don’t know.
Comment from dmac
Time July 10, 2009 at 8:26 AM
I think Theo Ratliff is the perfect 10 minute man. About a quarter tank left. I know he had problems with the coach in Philly this past season.
Thanks Jeff Malone 1990 for the list.
I think Chris Wicox would be more productive than Andray Blatche. Drew Gooden to. In fact what is the scoop on Drew Gooden. It seem like he was not a good fit with the Spurs. I remember him being a team player with a lot of hustle. Something we need. He will get you that rebound, make that pass and is not a slouch on the offensive end.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 10, 2009 at 8:37 AM
“I think Chris Wicox would be more productive than Andray Blatche.” – dmac
I’ve put that one in the “eat the keyboard” memory bank.
Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Yes, Lorenzo Williams. Thanks guys. Anybody know what happened to him?
Comment from millie mill
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:52 AM
This one is for getabigboyoffense:
When you gotta eat your words use ketchup-
Comment from millie mill
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I remember that we signed Lorenzo Williams to a 7 year guaranteed contract and he was always hurt. It was like 1.5 million a year when 1.5 million was alot. After he was released he never played again.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM
From the Houston Chronicle via Insidehoops.com
“McGrady, recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, has one year left on his contract. The Rockets are listening to trade offers and quite likely will move McGrady by next season’s trade deadline”
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM
@ Babakism:
“Nothing beats coming home from a long hard night at work and reading that the Cavs signed Anderson Varajao to a $50 million dollar deal. Sure he is a great hustle player but he has no offense and can’t block shots on Defense. His best move on D is the flop which he does so much they began to ignore it in the playoffs. This is worse than the contract we gave Etan.”
I will agree with you that 50 mil is high for Varejao but other things you’ve said is not that correct.
1. Varejao was perceived to be a major flopper before the flopping rules were instituted. He hardly flops now because he knows he can play defense. Flopping, to me, is to deceive – which means guys that can’t play defense are “deceiving” the refs into thinking they can play defense.
2. You need to watch AV again. He has a lot more offensive game now than you think. He has a 15 foot jumper (near the free throw line elbow) that is effective. Because of his size, he looks “clunky” doing a pivot spin move and into his shooting motion. But you know what – it works for him.
3. I’m not sure where you’re going with the blocks comment. Are you assuming that since AV is 6-11 he will block 3 shots a game? Dwight Howard led the league last year with 2.92 blocks a game. Andray Blatche had 1.04 blocks a game and he’s behind LeBron James at 1.15 blocks a game. I mean, Dwyane Wade had 1.34 blocks a game because he gets guys from behind. AV had 0.81 blocks a game and he’s in the Top 50 blockers last year. It’s not too bad but it’s not great either.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Neal what jmpalomo said. When we got Williams he had (I think) knee problems that everyone thought would heal. I remember waiting for him to get healthy as he was supposed to be good. He never did so we bought him out as I recall. As Jmpalomo said we were his last stop in the NBA.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Varejao got $42.5m for 6 years — that doesn’t seem out of line for him.
washtimes: “Grunfeld left open the possibility of adding one of the five center/power forward prospects on the summer league squad…. The biggest name on the list is rookie Josh Heytvelt, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound forward/center out of Gonzaga whom many expected to be drafted…. “There could an opportunity,” Grunfeld said. “We have only 13 players under contract and can carry 15. If someone impresses us, there’s an opportunity for them to possibly earn a spot on the regular-season roster.”"
I hope he’s looking at Richard Hendrix too. *Much* more productive in college than Heytvelt (whom nonetheless I like).
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 10, 2009 at 1:22 PM
millie mill – 
Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Thanks palomo and Grifon. Once again I’m impressed by the knowledge base on this site.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 10, 2009 at 2:09 PM
As an addendum to my post yesterday concerning the summer league match between Orlando and Boston, I’m glad the Wiz didn’t keep Bill Walker (2nd round pick last year).
All he did last night was dunk after dunk after dunk. I’m going out on a limb here and say that you need to do more than dunk to get minutes in the NBA, esp. in Boston.
Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Well, if you can dunk enough, what’s not to like about that? You’d rather he shoot jump shots?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 10, 2009 at 4:15 PM
great day at camp today, Coach Flip Saunders ran through some drills, G-Man showed off his dunking talents and Javaris Crittenton coached up some of the teams and signed autographs.
Even Aaron Maybin (Buffalo Bills) got in the act as he coached the champion team of the older group.
Comment from vanishingelephants
Time July 10, 2009 at 4:27 PM
@ the free agent list above – I was interested in the etan thomas inclusion as I’ hadn’t heard anything about Minnesota renouncing his rights as Tom suggests.
I did however notice the three stars next to the name and was wondering if he was just included on this list because of the opt out clause in his contract this year (which he signed away with the trade). Anyone know if that’s correct?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2009 at 4:31 PM
I believe I detected a note of sarcasm in Wiz Fusions assessment of Mr. Walker
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 10, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Etan is listed on the timberwolves official roster so I am guessing he’s not a FA.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2009 at 5:05 PM
yeah, i saw that too — I can’t imagine renouncing etan at this point. His contract is still valuable in a further trade at the very least. If he’s recovered enough, he can also contribute a little bit off the bench.
Comment from dmac
Time July 10, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Orlando just signed Brandon Bass for four years. The East is going to be very competitive.
I don’t mind keeping Heyfelt but we need a PF who can play not just 10 minutes. I like Chris Wilcox. I think he fits our squad. Now that Brandon Bass has signed with Orlando maybe we will have a chance at Richard Hendrix. The word on Drew Gooden is that he has a bad rep. Does anybody know what that bad rep is? No teams are knocking on his door. Drew would also be a good fit for us.
Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Can’t be Grifon. You well know sarcasm is not permitted on this site.
Comment from dmac
Time July 10, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Just finished watching Pistons vs. Kings summer league game. Outstanding game from Dajuan Summers in leading Pistons to the win. Dajuan had a Tough Juice type game finishing with 24 points and 7 rebounds.
Tyreke Evans had his moments for the Kings. He needs to work on his point guard skills more.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Bill Walker is a talented young man. He was lottery projected until a bad knee injury if I remember correctly.
But he plays the easiest position to find nba talent. We picked him for Boston, because that’s whom they wanted. I wouldn’t have nabbed him with our ’08 round 2 pick.
I would have taken Hendrix (who went 2 picks later) or Darnell Jackson (who went 5 picks later — and whom Cleveland took and signed to a 3 year contract!). Jackson didn’t really do much as a rookie; Hendrix has more talent. Still, a player who earned minutes on a 63-win team wasn’t good enough for us to pick and play on our 19 win team.
On the other hand, the decision to sell our round 2 pick for cash (as we did *again* this year) was likely made when we decided we were maxing out gil and re-signing Antawn for huge $$.
And, in fact, it wasn’t a bad decision — we got $$ for the pick, and here we see Richard Hendrix available again! He’s on the Nuggets team in LV, btw. I’d sign him now.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:55 PM
The Nuggets have few guys under contract now — Hendrix might wind up with them.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Dejuan Summers highlights….nice stat line and game
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/07/10/nba_20090710_curry_intv.nba/
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Keep a good thought Tom. I remember you being high on Hendrix last year. I don’t know much about him, but, you have a knack of picking out good players (or players that turn out to be good). I’d feel a little more comfortable about our chances at him if Ernie had invited him to ours. Here is in hoping Heytvelt really impresses us.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Drew Gooden has a “rep”? Really? I’d never heard that. He is one of the “good ones” I was hoping might fall into vet minimum land for us.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2009 at 11:00 PM
If we were to get Drew Gooden would all the players sport beards? Or just Drew and Deshawn
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 10, 2009 at 11:38 PM
yeah Gooden is friends with DeShawn thats why he lost his Job with the Cavs after telling DeShawn that Bron was talking bad about him behind his back and then the drama begain but i say if we can get him for the vet pull that trigger and let it roll why not
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2009 at 6:23 AM
No question that Drew Gooden would be a steal at the veterans minimum — he has plenty of game, though he fell off last year and the year before.
Comment from ta1ent
Time July 11, 2009 at 3:29 PM
This might be off topic but why is Foye not on the summer league list?
Comment from neal
Time July 11, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Good question, ta1ent. Maybe he or the Wiz figure he’s already a veteran and needn’t practice.
I guess if it really is “now or never” EG is trying to trade for something better than a minimum-type veteran.
The Post quoted Grunfeld as saying that McGee needs regular minutes this year in order to develop. Well, putting that together with Saunder’s saying that he’ll have only 8 in the rotation is not good for McGuire. It means we’ll probably have the starting 5, McGee to spell Haywood, Blatche to spell both forwards, and a guard to spell both starting guards.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I would not be surprised to see a night-by-night basic 8 man rotation that also provides for about 5-7 minutes for both the 9th and 10th man. I also think that the 6th, 7th and 8th men might change depending upon the opposition; and, unless someone makes a BIG splash early, the off-guard starter could also change depending upon the opposition and who is playing well.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2009 at 4:46 PM
You can only put 3 of your roster players on your SL team, I believe — hence, no Foye. In any case, I think a player can only go 3 times to SL; he may have already done that.
Anyway, he’s a vet — he doesn’t need Summer League.
As to rotation, as I’ve said, I’m sure Flip will roll the ball out in camp, and see who plays the best. I would be *very* surprised if Dominic didn’t get regular, pretty heavy minutes — but we’ll see.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 11, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Tom – In the past few weeks I’ve looked everywhere but I’ve been unable to find any criteria about who can play in the SL. Do you have a link to something that states that a player can only go to SL three times? Everything that I’ve seen is pretty vague.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 11, 2009 at 5:17 PM
I just found this from:
http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=637
“Phoenix GM Steve Kerr said the Suns use a similar approach, as the summer squad is put together by assistant GM David Griffin.
‘It’s always a combination of using three of our current players (that’s the limit), all of our draft picks (this year that number is two) and then a number of young free agents who we like who can complement our core group of five or six roster and draft pick-types,” Kerr said. “Also, you usually have a guy or two on your roster that are simply favors for agents, so that ‘their guy’ can be in the summer league.’”
Comment from kg
Time July 11, 2009 at 6:18 PM
i really hate not being able to watch Vegas SL games for free this year. I’m too cheap to pay that $15 to watch online.Anyone know any free broadcasting going? Afterall I have nothing to do but watch summer league and study for LSAT.
Comment from ta1ent
Time July 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Just pay the $15 its not much, there are so many games to watch. Tom- You said you can only put 3 of your roster players on your SL team but we have 4 (Javale, DMac, Nick, and Crittenton).
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 11, 2009 at 11:56 PM
What ta1ent said… already 4, and, Foye is coming into his 3rd year so he couldn’t have played in 3 summer leagues yet. I have no Idea why he isn’t there and we have a bunch of other unknown guards there.
I agree guys the rotation this year is going to be very interesting. I’m just assuming Flip doesn’t use the 7 game thing (I apologize in advance lol). 1,3,4, and 5 we already know the starters. It might be fun to watch and see how comes out on top at the 2. For the first time in a while there is some competition there. Miller would instantly make us a better club with him starting imo.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 12, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Grifon,
Randy Foye is not at the SL because he has been a starter for Minnesota for the past two years. Besides he averaged 16 points a game.
That type of player does not need the Summer League.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 3:53 AM
Still Jmpalomo I’d kinda like to see how he gels with our guys instead of watching 3 or 4 guards nobody ever heard of.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 12, 2009 at 3:55 AM
Drew League Javale highlights from week 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgWAWiyziFg
Nick Young highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-g9l2GOtlc
Nick and Javale were on the same team. Of course it’s only an amateur summer league, but their performances were encouraging.
http://www.drewleague.com/Players%20of%20the%20Week.htm
I thought I would post this since I saw it on another blog, enjoy
Comment from sloelover
Time July 12, 2009 at 6:45 AM
I don’t know if it was just me but Andray Blatch seemed a bit inconsistant last year and i do like the idea of picking u maybe Chris Wilcox..
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 12, 2009 at 10:28 AM
You are allowed ONLY 3 roster players on your summer league team. We have Young, MeGee and Critt. I never saw that DMac was planning to play in the summer league.
Comment from Babakism
Time July 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM
If nick young played 30 minutes a game he would have scored 16 points a game too. I’m to lazy to look up scoring averages for 48 minutes but I wouldn’t be suprised if youngs average is higher than foyes
Comment from Babakism
Time July 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM
meaning foye needs to get his A$$ is summer league
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Gabbo our current summer league roster does include Nick, Dominic, JaVale, and Critter. I don’t know what the rules are as far as eligibility for summer league but we do have all 4 listed.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Dominic is listed on the summer league under “summer league central” on the main page.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 2:05 PM
After re-reading it…. those four are “mini camp” invitees. NOT Summer League players. I assume we will cull the creel after the mini camps to get down to our summer league roster.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 12, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Scoring Averages for Last year Per 36 Minutes:
(actual average per game)
Nick Young 17.5 (10.9)
Randy Foye 16.4 (16.3)
Mike Miller 11.0 (9.9)
Randy Foye does not need to prove anything. He averaged 36 minutes a game as a starter scoring 16 points a game, day in and day out.
Nick Young has to prove that he can play consistently day in and day out. Not score 32 points one game and then disappear the next game.
Mike Miller has to prove that he has not digressed and grown old because he only averaged 9 points a game last year and only started a little more than half the games for a horrible Timberwolves team. Besides he only has one year left on his contract so the Wizards may not give him big minutes because they would take away from developing Nick and Critt and DMac.
Just my opinion and obsesrvation.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 12, 2009 at 3:36 PM
If Javale McGee played 36 minutes a game last year:
15.4 points per game
9.3 rebounds a game
3.8 offensive rebounds a game
2.3 blocks per game
1.0 steals per game
1.9 turnovers per game (not bad for a rookie big man)
0.7 assists per game
.494 field goal percentage
.660 free throw percentage
I heard in one broadcast that even though he only averaged 15 minutes a game he was 4th out of all Centers in the League in Transition points (WOW!).
I expect Javale and Brendan to split time at center right down the middle. I also expect Javale, because of his freakish athleticism, to play some Power Forward.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 12, 2009 at 4:58 PM
jmpalomo is right — no need for Randy to go to SL. He is going into his fourth year in the league and has played heavy minutes. Besides, SL is not for gelling with our guys or learning the offense. That’s training camp.
Babakism — I’m not specially a fan of Randy Foye (not against him either), but he is certainly *way* further along as a player than Nick Young is. Nick hasn’t shown he can play consistent minutes in the NBA and be even minimally productive — despite having lots of talent.
jmpalomo — JaVale was very productive for a rookie, especially a very raw rookie. He has a lot to learn, no surprise, but he has unique gifts without a doubt. His only problem areas are low shooting % for a big man (caused by almost always shooting some kind of low percentage effort after he gets an offensive rebound) and low assist level even for big man (caused by exactly the same thing — toss it out to an open shooter, and you get an assist if he makes it!).
It would be *great* if we could get Kevin McHale in to coach him and Andray, as doclinkin suggested.
Comment from neal
Time July 12, 2009 at 6:29 PM
I am so pissed. Got kicked out again after writing a really wonderful blog. Sportzwiz if you don’t get this thing solved I’m going to start blogging on the Cavs site. Boy, will you be sorry then.
Comment from neal
Time July 12, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I don’t see how I can type stuff somewhere else and paste it here. When I hit “edit” I’m not given that option.
As far as I’m concerned, none of the other 5 guards are close to Miller in ability to start with Arenas. Palomo talked about points per game. But we don’t need someone to come in and put up a lot of shots. We already have guys who do that and shoot a lot better than Foye.
Consider shooting %:
Miller 48.2
Young 44.4
Foye 40.7 (only James was a poorer shooter last year)
And 3 point shooting:
Miller 37.8
Foye 36.0
Young 34.0
We need a guy who can assist the scorers we already have, add to the offense efficiently when the opportunity is there, and play good D. Consider assists per 48 minutes:
Miller 6.7
Foye 5.8
Young 3.0
The comparison between Miller and Foye is particularly noteworthy, in that Foye played PG and Miller SG.
Comment from neal
Time July 12, 2009 at 6:44 PM
In my opinion, the bigger question is who will be the 3rd guard behind Arenas and Miller. Young is probably the best offensive player. Stevenson is probably the best defender. Stevenson and James have more experience and, presumably make fewer mental errors. Crittenton, James and Foye have played both guard positions. Crittenton, Foye and Young have the potential to develop further. One thing that will help Saunders in his decision making: one will probably be traded before training camp starts.
Comment from neal
Time July 12, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Someone commented that Miller is old. IMO prime age for NBA players is about 25 to 32. Miller is 29.
Certainly there are exceptions. Lebron James is still only 24. Antawn Jamison is already 33. But I’ll bet the majority don’t peak until about 25 and start to slow down at about 32.
Probably a better way to look at it is number of years in the league on the front end. Maybe even the back end too (Miller has been in the league for 8 years).
Comments?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 12, 2009 at 7:21 PM
neal, just create the blog in Word or any other editor and then highlight it all with the mouse; right click and Copy; come to the blog page; right click and paste.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I don’t understand the comparisons between Miller and Foye. They don’t play the same position. We got Foye to back up Gilbert as we only had Mike James there to do that. Sure Crit can play some point but he hasn’t developed different speeds yet. That will come but it isn’t there yet. We got Miller to play the 2 as Deshawn’s back is ailing and Nick hasn’t shown us much yet. Foye will get plenty of time at the one and Miller will get plenty of minutes at the 2. That should keep everyone happy, no?
I think the 2nd guard behind Gil is Foye and the 2nd guard behind Miller probably depends on how heathy Deshawn is. Foye may actually get some minutes backing Miller up at the 2 also.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 12, 2009 at 7:55 PM
neal — before you post, refresh the blog page you are on (f5), then hit submit. That has helped me. But, then, I’ve never been “kicked out”. Actually… can you describe your problem in specific detail.
For some reason, the server seems to lose “state” — it no longer understands the “session” you’re in. That is how it seems to me. Refreshing the browser fixes this for me.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 12, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Well, if Foye is our backup point guard, then obviously he won’t be starting!
Miller is certainly an excellent player. He would be the best player we could put at the 2. But, given that we have 3 guys in our starting 5 already who need the ball and have offensive skills, it might turn out that we want Miller to be our 6th man. Really, who knows?
Randy Foye may not be all that great — but he is a *much* better player than Mike James! Plus, he is still early enough in his career that there’s some chance for him to get better.
Randy’s 36% 3pt rate, wch is not bad, helps his effective FG% because he shoots a large number of 3s. Even with that, however, he is not an efficient shooter.
The advantage of starting Mike Miller is what an efficient shooter he is. Last season he just took fewer shots.
If you think about it winning games comes down to two things: having more chances to score than the other team (you get that by outrebounding them and taking care of the ball; steals are good too) and scoring efficiently when you have those chances (higher FG%). Other things help (high fta, etc.), but if your players do those two things you win a lot of games.
Comment from neal
Time July 12, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Some on this site were touting Foye for starting at the 2. That’s why I got on my soapbox.
Yes, Foye sorta looks like the second best PG we have. But let’s see what Crittenton looks like in summer league and training camp. And what if only 3 guards see regular action? Does Foye play over Young and a healthy Stevenson, even though Young looks better on offense and Stevenson looks better on defense? It will really be interesting. Stay tuned.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I’ve read a few places that Ernie thinks that Foye and Gilbert are a lot alike and pretty much play the same game. I don’t know that he brought him here to be Gil’s back up but that’s what I’m guessing.
I don’t think we will see much competition between Foye and Miller for playing time. Both should get “theirs”.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Neal……I had a lot of trouble signing on to the blog and also posting too. I was going through AOL when all my problems started with the new server. Since I’ve just gone in through a basic search engine Internet Explorer, Yahoo, etc. it seems to work fine. I hope this helps.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 11:06 PM
And if Gil were to go down, God forbid, Foye would be right there. I’ve read the “insurance” scenario a few places too.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 12, 2009 at 11:47 PM
You’re right too no reason at all for Foye to play in the SL. Right = Sticks in the Mud by the way. How much fun would it be to see him playing with JaVale, Nick, Critter, Heytvelt, and Aminu?
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 13, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Carlos Boozer is definitely on the market.
Paul Millsap is going to count almost $11 million dollars on this years cap which will take them to $84 million dollars in salary this year.
Because they are over the cap, Millsap’s signing is going to cost the Utah Jazz a staggering $22 million dollars extra (2 for 1). Wow! That sucks.
The Wiz need a bona fide genuine up front player.
Looking at the Wiz’s roster we can trade:
Deshawn, Andray and Mike James. Deshawn will back up thier shooting guard, Andray will back up Millsap and James is only signed for one more year.
I have been on the opinion in the past that we should trade Antawn for Boozer but since his trade value has gone down so much because Utah has no choice but to trade him if they match Millsaps offer sheet.
Utah seems abslutely desperate to move Boozer.
Another option for Utah is for them to give him away for a 2nd round draft pick or something as petty as that just to shed his salary to a team that has room under their cap.
Stay tuned because the Jazz only have 8 days to match the offer sheet.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2009 at 3:02 AM
Jmpalomo that is exactly the kind of situation Ernie has no doubt been “vulturing” over. I think we are going to get a very good front court player for cheap if we wait.
Comment from dmac
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:59 AM
I beilieve if EG were to talk to Utah about Boozer it would probably have to include a third team that possibly would have the cap room to take Jamison. We could send Mike James expiring contract to Utah along with another player.
Personally right now my hopes are either Drew Gooden or Chris Wilcox. These are two veterans that can come in and play very valuable roles.
If we are stuck on needing a center to go with Haywood then Nestrerovic or Jason Collins would suffice.
The extra big bodies would do well to help Haywood who will probably play 32 to 36 minutes a game. Alongwith the athleticism and quickness Javale would bring, having a Collins or Nesterovic would counter a Shaq/Zygauskas or Dwight Howard/Gortac duo.
Comment from dmac
Time July 13, 2009 at 6:28 AM
I get chill bumps thinking about a end of the game lineup of brendan in the middle with Caron slashing to the basket with Gil or Randy pulling up or driving and kicking off to Jamison or Miller. To me the progress of Nick and Andray will determine if they can get some end of the game crunch time minutes.
Dont’ be surprised if you see both Randy and Gil in the lineup at the same time in games down the stretch. Miller will be there in the mix to.
If the other team is playing great ball at the 4 spot we will need someone like Wilcox or Gooden to help out.
Comment from dmac
Time July 13, 2009 at 6:33 AM
What I am trying to say is when the Wizard get some reliable frontcourt help we will have just as a good of a chance as anyone in the East to make a run. With our big 3 and the addition of Miller and Foye and the improvement of our kids we will be a force to reckon with. Mark my word this morning. You read it here first.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I don’t know about “first,” dmac — getabig thinks we have the best team in the league and will win 60 games.
My head is spinning from all these Randy Foye fantasies. He has been a really poor player so far in this league. Especially for a 7th pick. The general view of him around the league is that he is a bust. Minnesota is on a youth rebuilding project, yet they traded him away.
“But but but…” I hear jmpalomo say, “he averaged 16 points; that’s awesome.” Yeah, and it took him 22 shots to get his 16 points, I reply. Do we have 22 shots for Randy Foye? He also does nothing else well. For example, he is supposed to be a point guard, but he averages 75% as many assists as an average point guard.
It’s Randy’s 4th year; maybe he can still get better. But the point is that he will *have to* get better in order to be good!
Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Nice article about McGuire in the Post this morning.
At various times we’ve heard good reports about the summer work of Crittenton, Young, McGuire, Blatche and McGee. That’s really good news. IMO if we are to go beyond the 1st round of the playoffs we’ll have to have a lot of internal improvement from our young guys (those 5 plus Foye). They will be our principal reserves. It would really be wonderful if one or two of them would really blossum this year.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 10:32 AM
McGuire blossomed last year; he was incredibly productive. He didn’t score much, but he didn’t shoot much either. And if you look at *every other thing he did* he was off the charts. He got way more rebounds, better TO/steal ratio, more assists, fewer fouls, more blocks, etc. than an average 3. The kid can play and is extremely versatile. I look for him to continue improving and to earn major minutes.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Even if you look at scoring by McGuire — he upped his FG and FT % throughout the year.
Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2009 at 10:55 AM
McGuire talks about liking to dish out assists. I know we won’t be playing a “second unit”, but it would be interesting to see him playing with shooters Foye and Young.
Tom, would it be too much trouble to tell us how our 7 guards stack up in the Wages of Wins formula?
Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM
We need to get rid of James and Stevenson….they are just causing a financial burden on us right now….if we traded them for someone with a team option next year or the year after, preferably a PF or Center, that would be better than losing those 2 players for nothing….Anyone have any players in mind?
Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 13, 2009 at 12:51 PM
remember as well, we have about a 2 million dollar trade exception from trading Pech
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 2:18 PM
neal — here are Win Scores for 5 of them: Critt, Foye, Nick, James & Miller. Compared with the NBA averages at their positions.
It should be obvious what numbers to look at, but I can explain — and even improve the spreadsheet (but not today):
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Comment from dmac
Time July 8, 2009 at 12:18 PM
In light of the luxury tax situation the Wizards are in they definitely need to hope a couple of productive bargain frontline players fall our way.
If other teams tighten up their wallets we could possibly get a couple of bargains.