RonArtest15

See if he'd take a 3/45.  I'd love to have him back.  I know he's not without his warts, but he's the only other guy on the roster, aside from Beal, who can actually create their own shot/offense.  Crazy to see how much bounce he had after all the injuries and probably weighing about 270.  This would 100% be a low risk/high reward signing if it can work out.  I think dude just turned 24.  If he can stay healthy and committed to his conditioning, there could be some serious upside.  Not to mention, he's never had quality coaching in his career.  I don't think much of Scott Brooks, TBH, but it's something to think about when considering his ups/downs in his other stops. 

3 hours ago, stevemcqueen1 said:

The Celtics have cap space if Kyrie and Horford walk.

 

Enough to make an unbalanced trade for Beal...

 

Would you all trade Beal for Jayson Tatum and Romeo Langford?

C's need to throw in a draft pick. 

4 hours ago, volsmet said:

 

No kidding, that’s the reason they’re available, it’s something I pointed out repeatedly. The Wizards had an atrocious draft, there are 500 players who could start for this team today, that doesn’t make a guy a good pick at 9. Ridiculously naive, my friend.

 

Boom or bust prospects get us back in the top of the draft or out of mediocrity. We drafted guys who have the potential to be average, there is nothing worse than being average. You can’t build a contender drafting safe, solid, rotational, limited, low floor prospects.

 

The Hawks crushed the process, again. 

 

The 76ers weren’t concerned with durability & they nearly beat Toronto with their injury prone youngsters. You just grab talent, durability is a laughable measurement. We will be a durable #6 - #15 in the east for another decade. 

Wizards had an atrocious draft?  How do you figure when there would be question marks surrounding ANYONE selected by the Wizards not named Zion, Morant, or Barrett?  For the pick at 9, there was little difference between anyone picked there or later in the lottery.  At least with Rui, you're getting a guy you can plug and play (Schofield is most likely a rotational guy from day 1.) Can't say the same for many other guys selected after him. 

You talk boom/bust like Cam Reddish isn't the EXACT definition of that.  Dude has probably the highest bust potential of ANYONE selected in the lottery. 

Wizards need able bodies, period.  They got exactly that with their two picks last night.  You're not getting that with Reddish, Little, Bol, or anyone else that was projected at some point to go 9 outside of potentially Coby White. 

Look, man...I get it.  You're disappointed at the front office and decades-long incompetence.  But it's not the worst thing in the world to give the team credit for how the draft and FA process played out last night. 

58 minutes ago, stevemcqueen1 said:

 

He probably could play for the Wizards this season.  Maybe not in the rotation, but he could make the team.  But I think I'd like to see him play in the G-League first.  We're reaching a point where Beal and Sato are our only experienced players, and Sato isn't that experienced in terms of NBA veterancy.  We're not going to be able to play defense with this group, and thus we're not going to be able to win.

 

I don't know what the answer is, but I don't want to throw next season away if the plan is to keep Beal.  We need to get some Danny Green type veteran free agents in the door.  I wish we had the money for Willie Cauley-Stein or DeAndre Jordan.  Some kind of rim protector and defensive anchor who could help us like Marc Gasol helped the Raptors.  But we've still got freaking 20 million dollars tied up in Mahinmi and Dwight.

 

Nerlens Noel anyone?

I don't think they plan for Schofield to play any minutes in the G-League.  He's got a fairly high pedigree and has improved each year.  He's already 22 and not as raw as Troy Brown was at this time. 

7 hours ago, volsmet said:

The fact that we could have easily ended the night with Reddish, Bol, Lecque & Cheatham, and instead ended it with Hoochie momma, Schofield, & Davis ... is disgusting.

 

And arguably 2/4 guys you listed have more questions about them than the guys we drafted. 

I think the Wizards had a SOLID draft.  Probably in the B- range. 

Got an immediate starter in Rui and am IMMEDIATE rotational piece in Schofield. 

I'm as down on this FO as anyone else, but all things considered, they did well last night. 

41 minutes ago, BenningRoadSkin said:

All they do is take what the Wizards give them and write stories about it. Its terrible stuff and no one really cares.

 

I spent a year not caring about the Wizards and now that I am back, I feel its best to be indifferent to them.

It's crazy, really...that article that Candace wrote a few weeks back detailing EG's firing had "new" information that has been circulating on message boards, etc. for YEARS.  They really think that this fanbase is stupid at times.  No one asks hard questions and demands answers for the rationale for how things are run. 

Personally, I don't care all that much.  I'm happy that Wall got his bag because he's been nothing but a good soldier in his time in DC...but I want Beal traded because he deserves better. 

42 minutes ago, BenningRoadSkin said:

Ted has no Earthly idea what he is doing. All he cares about is not spending money. We are effed. 

 

I think DC sports has the worst collection of sports team owners in the country.

Can't speak on the Nats, as I'm not a fan...

But at least w/ Dan Snyder, he's TRIED to win...failing miserably in the process, but he's shown a willingness to spend money. 

Caps....lucky to have a transcendent talent on the team for over a decade in a league where over half of the squads make the playoffs.  I'm happy with the one cup win, but there should have been more. 

12 minutes ago, stevemcqueen1 said:

This is what I think is happening:

 

- Ted is not lying when he says he's trying to create a leadership team rather than going with a traditional top down approach.  He wants an interdisciplinary governing board.  He wants these people to collaborate and share power.

 

- Tommy Sheppard isn't going anywhere.  He's viewed as our expert on the draft, and he's going to continue to have a big role in personnel.

 

- This is the reason the Connelly negotiations broke down.

 

- We may never see a traditional president hired.  What we may see instead is a group of executive hires of people who have varied expertise and backgrounds.

Do you think there's even a 1% chance at Masai? 

There HAD to have been something there for Woj, Standig, etc. to report on it.  I do wonder if the Wizards are waiting for the Kawhi/FA dust to settle before actually presenting Masai with an offer...

IF it was to happen, I think it would be Masai being pres of the org and Shep being the GM. 

It would never happen from our local media, but I would LOVE to see Ted questioned about the consulting firm's role in this whole process if Shep is the last man standing. 

Aside from bloggers, we have the absolute worst local media who follow this team.  They bring next to nothing to the table.  Has to be the easiest gig at the WaPo to work the Wizards beat. 

Beal is as good as gone, IMO.  No way he signs that extension to essentially stay here in DC for 5 years with so much uncertainty surrounding the organization.  There are issues from the front office all the way down to roster construction.  At this point, I don't even care.  I want what's best for Beal and NOT to have him waste his prime in DC like what happened with Wall.  He needs to be elsewhere with a chance to compete.  If he's traded to New Orleans, then he'll be the unquestioned leader on potentially one of the most exciting young squads in the league.  There would be no pressure on him to stay past his current contract, and he will for sure get a max deal when he hits free agency from a team of HIS choice.  All in all, Pelicans, etc. provide a much better environment than what's here in DC. 

Wizards just need to accept that the whole thing needs to be torn down, and it starts with Beal. 

1 hour ago, Kosher Ham said:

That makes no sense. Paul is older than LeBron. Nope. 

Paul is younger. 

I think this is gonna be it for Beal.  Ingram, and multiple 1st round picks. 

I don't want to see Beal's prime squandered like what happened to Wall.  I want him to have an actual chance to compete for a championship right now.  Trading him gets the Wizards on the fast track to a much-needed rebuild and gets Beal (hopefully) on a contender.  This squad is at it's ceiling with the Wall/Beal pairing and they have to start dumping these guys off when the get a chance.  Holding on to him will lessen the return.  The time is now (or this season) to deal him. 

Really don't think White will be there at 9. 

22 minutes ago, PeterMP said:

 

Part of my statement is if they are healthy and Lebron plays respectable defense (essentially Lebron plays like the 2017-18 version of himself).  If those two things are true that means limited affects of age/wear and they sign even Walker, they will jump over at least 2 of the 4 teams you've listed and easily over OKC and Houston.

 

Really, you are talking about adding 3 all stars to a team (Lebron didn't play like an all star last year even when healthy).  That's a huge difference in the NBA.  The bench will be weak, but if your starting 5 is that good, you can live with a weak bench.

Aside for Kawhi, Toronto's bench depth was one of the biggest reasons why they won the title.  You 100% can't live with a weak bench in today league where there's a premium on defense and shooting the 3-ball from your starters to the 15th man.  

There isn't a chance in hell that I'm putting a Lebron/AD/Kemba squad over Portland, Denver, Utah, Houston, OKC, or even the Clippers.  At best, they're a 6 seed in the West.  This is going to blow up in their faces. 

Lebron is in "win now" mode, but let's be real...his move to LA was to maximize his earning potential off the court when his career ends. 

4 minutes ago, PeterMP said:

 

Can we see what happens in free agency first?  If all of the East big time FA's stay in the East, the West isn't going to be that good.  People are already talking like it is clear Leonard is leaving Toronto and Walker is going West and people like KD and Klay aren't leaving the West for the East.

 

Assuming the Lakers pick up one more star to fill out their cap space and Lebron can play reasonable defense and KD doesn't play, if healthy, they will likely have the best starting 5 in the West.  That will be good enough to carry them to at least a 5 seed and maybe all the way to the 1 seed (even if Leonard comes to the East).

 

GS is going to go backwards.  The Rockets aren't getting any younger or their cap situation any better so they will continue to slide back.

 

And other than the Clippers, if they can get Leonard, there's really nobody that I'd expect to make a big jump up.

 

(Well maybe the Mavs, but I don't see them taking that big of a jump.)

Who, outside of Kawhi, is going to make THAT much of a difference for the Lakers completing that big-3?  I can think of 4 teams that will be just as good or better going into next season.  Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, and Portland.  That's not even accounting for Houston and OKC.  6 squads right there who will be in the thick of things.  I'm skeptical of this Lakers move because of a few factors.  Lebron's age/wear, Davis being a regular season stat-God, ZERO depth (look at how the roster/bench was constructed last year,) and the overall turmoil surrounding the Lakers in general.  Like I said earlier, if Kawhi decides to sign w/ LA, then scrap what I said...but getting Kemba, Kyrie, etc. isn't going to make that big of deal. 

10 hours ago, BenningRoadSkin said:

I don't believe it is as serious as Chris Bosh.

I get that, but LeBron is aging and who knows how much time he has left as an elite player.

that is 100% not going to happen.

 

Lakers do not have the cap room and I don't think Kawhi wants to play with LeBron.

 

Its either Clippers or Raptors.

Oh, 100% clock is ticking on Lebron...I mentioned it in another post, but he's 35 in December and approaching, I think, his 17th year in the league.  He doesn't care about the Lakers future, because he's in "win now" mode.  Everything that happened yesterday went along w/ what Rich Paul was saying all along...Davis was going to end up a Laker one way or another.  This is most likely why Danny Ainge wasn't willing to gut his team for essentially one year of Davis' services in Boston.  Can you imagine trading all those guys to the Lakers, JUST to have Davis sign with them the year after next?  Anyways, the damage was done between Lebron and the young core...they been floated in trade rumors for the longest and there was clearly a divide between Lebron's camp and just about everyone else not named Kuz or Rondo.  Some well-informed guys on Twitter were saying how much Ingram hated playing in LA, and Lebron was most likely a big reason why.  I think the Pels made out like bandits in this deal because I'm a bit skeptical of how this will actually make the Lakers THAT much better in the West (no more than a 6-8 seed.)  Now, if Kawhi signs, then forget what i just said...but no one else is going to make that much of a difference.  Davis, while amazing, is largely unproven outside of the regular season.  Lebron is going to be approaching "washed" status" and there's probably going to be a mutiny at some point with Vogel coaching.  This isnt even accounting for the fact they have to fill the rest of the roster with a bunch of retreads.  West is going to be a gauntlet again even with the Warriors being hobbled.  Lakers are gonna be a team to watch for better/worse. 

8 minutes ago, Destino said:

Lebron is getting a chance to finish with more rings than Curry, and that window is closing fast because he's 34.  Next season is going to be his best chance.  Warriors will be weak, Houston is old, and the rest of the West isn't very good (a situation that could change).  Nuggets or Blazers aren't scary. 

 

A lot rides on where Kawhi goes.  If he signs with the Lakers, it's over.     

He'll be 35 two months into the new season.  17 years in the league.  That's a lot of wear/tear.  Obviously this is win-now for him, so he couldn't care less about the future of the Lakers, but I don't see this really working out for their team.  They'll have a legit big-3 plus Kuz, but the rest of the team is going to be a bunch of journeymen.  Get your popcorn ready...

Lakers goofed...could have outright signed him next season.  However, the damage was done last year with Lebron pretty much orchestrating a lot of trade rumors/scenarios regarding many of his young teammates.  There are a few really plugged in guys who are saying that Ingram absolutely HATED the Lakers.  Watch him ball out next year.  Pels are going to have a very fun team to watch. 

Oh, and going back to LA...who exactly are they going to fill the rest of their roster out with?  They seem to think that ONLY a big-3 is needed.  Newsflash, Toronto's depth was a huge reason why they won.  Lakers aren't doing squat filling their bench out with trash. 

1 hour ago, StillUnknown said:

 

she put out almost the same report when it looked like Connelly was going to be the guy. Its not just Woj, Ben Standig and Fred Katz had been making insinuations that Masai was a longshot but they were going to offer after they missed out on Connelly

 

pretty clear Candace is who ownership goes to when they want something spun their way

 

 

there is nothing left to be done in Toronto, its all downhill for him if he stays

 

thats the only thing i can really motivating a move. Toronto can match any dollar amount and probably any other perk.

You may be right, but I think the Wizards are trying to tread carefully here out of respect to the Raptors/Ujiri.  EVERYONE in the world knows we're desperate, but we don't want to come off looking like homie from Swingers who called his ex about a million times hoping to talk.  Gotta play it cool to an extent, then once (hopefully) Ujiri decides to meet w/ Ted, then u hit him up w/ the offer he can't refuse.  IF Ted lands that face-to-face, he can't let him leave that room w/o agreeing to a contract.  It's a good time to Masai Ujiri. 

Candace doing nothing but putting out a fire.  I 100000% believe the Woj report from last night.  Once the championship dust settles, the Wizards will go forward with their offer to Masai.  The key is the potential ownership stake in Monumental.  As other people have noted, if that's indeed on the table, you're talking generational wealth that goes beyond the reported 6/60 that's on the table for him as a GM/pres. 

Klay and KD both know that them staying means Draymond is out.  Probably a big reason for Durant thinking about re-upping w/ the Warriors.  That being said, I can't wait to see the circus act w/ Draymond next year with him knowing he's out the door.  LOL

18 hours ago, stevemcqueen1 said:

I've read from different sources that Bol has character issues.  The gist was that some scouts think he's a spoiled rich kid who is lazy and uncoachable.

 

I wouldn't draft him at 9.  Maybe after a big trade down, but picking him is asking for trouble IMO.

 

I would much rather draft Doumbouya.  He's an intriguing physical talent too, and he has a reputation for being a good teammate.  He's 6'9 and has already filled in some.  He's an extremely smooth mover and he is an explosive dunker.  And he is a dribble-pass-shoot player like you called for Destino.  It's hard not to see the similarities to Siakam in his game.  And he just turned 18.  He could turn out to be nothing, but he could have All Star potential.  I don't know, who can friggin tell?

Chris Miller alluded to something about Bol partying too much a few weeks back.  As plugged in as Miller is, I'd take his word on that red flag and Bol is probably a guy the Wizards will not consider at 9. 

Oh....

KD LOVING this hahahahahahha

Man....the Lakers are an absolute dumpster fire LOL.  Put it this way...Lebron and his team been doing the EXACT same thing since his days in Cleveland.  They're an entitled bunch and the only guy who put his foot down to them was Pat Riley.  I saw an interesting theory floated around....made me think.  All this posturing by Lebron/Klutch combined with the dysfunction with the Lakers all the way down to their ownership, HAS to make one think about Lebron and his Klutch sports group possibly making a play to buy this franchise at some point down the road.  Lebron to LA was nothing more than a business move.  Buying the Lakers would bolster an already impressive business portfolio. 

2 hours ago, Momma There Goes That Man said:

I don’t think he’s a front running groupie because he is rich, famous and friends with other famous athletes like Lebron and therefore wants to party with his friends when they win championships and are partying. 

 

Its funny to rip on him and meme it but if we are being realistic we’d all go party with our friends like lebron or other athletes if we could after our teams had lost 

He fronts like he's ON the team LOL. 

I mess w/ some of his music, but he's a lame.