Washington Wizards 2012-2013 Season Thread - Thanks for a great season! Draft will be held on... - Page 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJs07 

I know a lot of the guys on the roster have their futures up in the air, but I would really like if we retained Martell Webster going forward.

Also, Emeka Okafor is playing AMAZING basketball. If KG isn't moved, I wonder if a team like the Clippers would be interested in him (Bledsoe + ?)

The Clips' losing streak isn't exactly showcasing Bledsoe's ability to run a team.  I don't think he makes any sense for the Wiz anyways.  Somehow, I doubt it's truly his life's ambition to back up John Wall.  

They'd want to include Caron in any such deal to make the numbers work, and that's NOT happening.  Caron gave us some good years, but we already have one overpaid, over the hill SF on the roster.  We don't need a second.  I'd rather take Odom, who's in the last year of his deal, and then waive him.  Bledsoe/Odom for Okafor gives us a young asset with another year guaranteed left on a restricted free agent with value around the league and substantial cap savings.  That's not out of the question, especially if you think there's no real chance of retaining Okafor on a sensible contract once his current deal expires. 

I still think Okafor has more value next year, however, when he could help a playoff team AND provide an enormous expiring salary.  I believe there's a better deal out there for him than a guy we can't really use and cap room. 

If we were to make a move this year, I'd call up San Antonio and see if they're worried about Duncan's health.  Okafor's their kind of player.  They have some big decisions coming up this summer.  I'd take Stephen Jackson, DeJuan Blair, and Kawhi Leonard in exchange for Okafor and our second round pick.  The Spurs can sign Jax back this summer for all I care.  I just want the cap room and Kawhi - whom we SHOULD have taken over Vesely to begin with.

xQuote:

Originally Posted by JJs07 

Forgot to post the source...

Quote:

19h Chicago Bulls Rumors Chicago Bulls Rumors ‏@chicagobullsbot

Chicago Bulls have spoken to the Washington Wizards expressing interest in F Jan Vesely. (Source: Rumor Press)

Take it for what it's worth. For as bad as Vesely is on the Wizards, I think he'd be 100x better playing under Thibs.

I just don't know what the Bulls would be offering back...

Thanks for posting the source.  I was beginning to suspect that the source was Jan's agent. 

If the Bulls really want to pay $3.5 million for 5 fouls in 15 minutes, be my guest.  I'd trade him for an expiring contract and a bag of ice.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by VICTOR PAGE 

The Spurs actually have a good GM.

 

Don't think he'd actually give up Jax, Leonard, and Blair just for Okafor.

Have you looked at their roster lately?  All three are on expiring contracts.  Manu's in the last year of his deal.  Meanwhile, they have the following restricted free agents:  Tiago Splitter, Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal, and Cory Joseph.  

San Antonio has great ownership, but they're not about to get killed by the luxury tax.  Manu's probably going to reduce his salary, as will Jax, but you KNOW that someone is going to throw money at Splitter, Leonard, AND Green.  Keeping all three will be nearly impossible.

If we give them a player they NEED to compete for a championship THIS YEAR, who's also under contract next year and would likely re-sign at a reduced rate thereafter, isn't that worth three guys who probably won't even be on your team next year?  You'd have the chance to sign back all three anyway.  We'd be trading Okafor essentially for the right to match any offer on Leonard.  

Blair's been in their doghouse for two years now.  He's already gone.  Jackson's needed to make the numbers work.  Kawhi's the only piece they'd have a tough time giving up, but they have to make a call on which guys to keep at some point.  

If they do the deal at the deadline, it's because they're nervous about Duncan's health.  Otherwise, I'd look at sign and trades with SA this summer.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMatic 

Leonard is not a free agent and is looked upon as a building block for the future.

I could see Jackson and Blair being dealt though.

He's listed with a $1.9 million qualifying offer.  Doesn't that give him the right to become a restricted free agent, a la Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik?  If so, there's no guarantee they can keep him AND all of their other players.

My point is simply that something's gotta give there, and the Wizards should perform their due diligence and, if possible, try and take advantage.  Kawhi's a good player, but let's not go nuts and declare him untouchable.  The Spurs aren't eager to pull another Richard Jefferson move.  I expect many teams to panic and overpay for second and third tier talent.  The Spurs believe in their system, their coaches, and their scouts. 

Just look at the George Hill trade.  Many people questioned it at the time, and I'm sure if you'd asked Pop a week before that deal he'd have told you that George Hill was the future of the San Antonio Spurs, too.  

Bottom line:  they didn't want to overpay for a guy they felt they could replace.  Someone they really like on this year's team will likely fall into the same category.  I suspect that they'd rather swing a trade and bring something back of immediate value than just let that player walk, and it wouldn't shock me to see them deal at the deadline if they think it can help them in this year's playoffs.  They know their window is closing.