I searched for another offseason post but didn't find one.

To date:

Randy re-upped.

Sold the second-round pick for cash.

Martell Webster's back problems are back. The team says he's out for 3-5 months.

Guaranteed Andre Miller for next season ($4.6 mil)

Gortat got paid: $60 mil over 5 years. No team/player options afaik.

Kevin Seraphin got his qualifying offer.

Trevor Booker did not. The team says they want him back but he's an UFA now.

Ariza's reportedly priority 1 now but other teams want him.

====

I think Gortat's deal cripples any hopes for a significant roster upgrade. Beal taking a leap is probably our best hope for the team getting much better. I'd love to use the MLE on somebody like Patrick Patterson or take a flier on somebody like Ekpe Udoh.

I was cool with letting Ariza walk a la Larry Hughes but with Webster out, a wing rotation of Otto and Glen Rice Jr doesn't inspire confidence.

@daldridgetnt: Re: Sefolosha/Greg Monroe at Verizon Center: Sefolosha indeed talking w/Wiz. Monroe is there just to watch the Mystics game tonight.

I'm not a huge fan but he defends. I'd take him but not for whatever Ernie would probably offer.

they need someone that can complement otto at a reasonable cost. i like his experience level and ability to shoot when wall and beal open things up for him.

Everything else is cake.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

at the move.

Honestly wouldn't be THAT mad if Ariza left. Last time he had a year like last year was also a contract year. Probability is high he regresses after he gets paid.

Though Webster is out, and the formerly deep 3 spot could be thin to start the season, it's time to give Otto some tick to see what he can or can't do.

I'd like to see more depth at the 4. Nene's never played more than 60 games for us since we got him. Gooden's been a fine backup, but would mind some more oomph offensively.

If Ariza walks, and Boozer gets amnestied, wouldn't mind an overture in his direction. Long as it's clear he's coming off the bench. Or maybe even a K. Humphries? Patterson from Toronto?
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

@Gwashburnglobe: #celtics appear to be taking themselves out of the Kris Humphries market, #hornets and #wizards are leaders, according to NBA source

Patrick Patterson would've been great.

I don't know much about Hump besides the tabloid stuff but his numbers look pretty good. I did a double take when I saw he's been in the league for 10 years. Is that rebounding for real or was he just stat padding on bad teams?

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/7/7/5877759/otto-porter-glen-rice-jr-headline-the-wizards-summer-league-roster

Khem Birch, F, UNLV (R)
Deonte Burton, PG, Nevada (R)
Ian Chiles, C, Morgan State (R)
Jarell Eddie, F, Virginia Tech (R)
Kim English, G, Chorale Roanne (France)
Charles Garcia, F, Ali Muharraq (Bahrain)
Christian Kabongo, G, Idaho Stampede (D-League)
Frantz Massenat, G, Drexel (R)
Daniel Miller, G, Georgia Tech (R)
Daniel Orton, C, Maine Redclaws (D-League)
Otto Porter, F, Wizards
Glen Rice Jr, G, Wizards
Daniel Theis, F, Brose Bask (Germany) (R)
Kwame Vaughn, G, Agrigento (Italy) (R)
Maalik Wayns, G, Rio Grande Valley (D-League)
Jamil Wilson, F, Marquette (R)

Birch looks like an interesting prospect and I liked Kim English when he was in college. Otto's gotta show up this time.

*depending on the contract...

All the sauces said he wanted eight figures. Oh well. Hope his second go around in Houston goes better. Maybe he'll fluster Kevin Durant enough to send him back home.

@WojYahooNBA: Washington would love to replace Ariza with free agent Luol Deng, but only has the mid-level exception to offer him. He's seeking $10M-plus.

If Ariza settled for less than is reported, maybe Deng does, too? The Heat can/will beat anything the Wiz offer, though.

Otto had 25 in summer league today. Nothing to get excited about but he looked like doodoo last year.

He must really want to be in Houston for that deal. Why not see if Dallas or the lakers make a better offer?

Even at $8m, 4 years is too long for him in dc. Gotta see what the young guns can do here.

WHAT'S GOOD *****? What's REALLY good?!?!????!!! Ha HA!
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d8e2daf9f3f37244cd05436bcdf05973/tumblr_mt4qibKq4c1rgam01o1_1280.png

I'm going to ask Ernie for a raise.

WHAT'S GOOD *****? What's REALLY good?!?!????!!! Ha HA!
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d8e2daf9f3f37244cd05436bcdf05973/tumblr_mt4qibKq4c1rgam01o1_1280.png

Whoa!

Think about it:

Pierce is a future HOF in the last phase of his career. Mentors Wall and Beal, brings leadership, craftiness and championship experience.

Possibly has enough gas left in the tank to give us 10-14 ppg. Can opt out next year. Him opting out and Nene's expiring $14 million puts us in the running for the KD sweepstakes next offseason.

In the short term, will be asked to hit corner threes just like Ariza off Wall/Beal penetration and kickouts. We don't lose that much offensively at all, and not a devastating amount defensively.

Lastly, it really works cause it allows us to put Porter on the floor for significant minutes to see what we have or don't have in him. Nobody will blink twice at Wittman pulling Pierce for stretches to put in young fresh legs like Porter's.

Not Mad.
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

Wonder if they'll make a move with Nene's contract this year?
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

There wasnt a whole lot to do. Their growth is gonna have to come wall, beal, and porter getting better. Or if they get lucky and kd gets that lebron bug and wants to come on home.

---------------------------------
Do it girl

Ariza is a way better defender right now and probably a better 3 point shooter, though pierce's overall offensive game is still crafty and he is a better overall scorer, wiz don't really need that scoring...

Still, with the East wide open adding a player with a championship pedigree was slick


@rob_starrk

He doesn't have to carry that defensive load. That's what the kid is for.

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

Randy is not going to let Otto learn on the job with a vet like Pierce around.

I have to say, I have absolutely no idea why Peezy wants to go to this team at this point in his career.

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

Randy is kinda like Thibs in the sense of he runs his vets way more than his younger players. I feel like Otto should be traded. He's not gonna flourish here. Pierce is already breaking down and being here is just gonna accelerate the process since he is gonna get a lot more minutes.

Randy even gave Glen Rice Jr some run. Same with Seraphin and Jan. They got some chances albeit limited.

But if Pierce can't play extended mins, Otto will step in and take those.

Otto's the most important piece of this team taking the next step.

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

i like booker better but dejuan isnt bad

The Mavericks and Wizards are reportedly in "advanced discussions" about a sign-and-trade which would send DeJuan Blair to Washington.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I'd like him much better.

He's got the size, the low post and mid-range scoring and attacks the glass. And even though he made $12mil last season, he's not going to command nearly as much this offseason.

Given that Nene is definetly going to miss 20-25 games this season, we need a 4 who can come off the bench and score.

I mean, I like Gooden and all, but Humphries is younger and starting quality, which we'll need.
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

Wiz want another big, another shooter, and another pg:

http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wake-call-wizards-carefully-plot-next-offseason-move

LAS VEGAS -- After a busy weekend for the Wizards, who lost Trevor Ariza and acquired Paul Pierce, they're now in wait-and-see mode when it comes to their next step.

While they're listening to offers and pitches from all over, such as a deal that could involve DeJuan Blair and the Dallas Mavericks, that's not imminent, CSNWashington.com confirmed with persons with knowledge of the situation late Sunday night.

Why all of a sudden this patience and calm? For the same reason no one in the front office panicked when Ariza revealed he was going to the Houston Rockets in what ended up being a sign-and-trade deal. They had contingency plans and just hours later when they agreed to terms with Pierce.

As roster spots fill up around the NBA, the Wizards realize there will be more good players available than job openings. When Pierce's deal is finalized, nine spots will be taken. They're re-signing Drew Gooden and Garrett Temple, and Al Harrington's return is not being ruled out though he's serving as an unofficial summer league coach. Trevor Booker, who wasn't extended a qualifying offer which made him an unrestricted free agent, still is in the picture. That adds up to about two roster spots if Booker stays and Harrington feels healthy enough to give it another try.

This measured approach means the Wizards will have more leverage with free agents eager to secure jobs, which would allow them to cherry pick the best ones available, control cost and not tie up salary cap money long-term.

The areas that they're still looking to address:

A third point guard: After John Wall and Andre Miller, they're absent of a ball-handler they're comfortable with running the offense. Plus, Miller is 38.

Another shooter: Bringing in Pierce, especially with Martell Webster out with back surgery, gives them an option other than Bradley Beal. Otto Porter has a mid-range game but how far he can consistently stretch the floor has yet to be determined. Every contending team has a microwave shooter.

Another big: They weren't able to get one in last month's draft, which is why they sold their pick to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards are small outside of Marcin Gortat as the starting center and Nene, who has routine health issues, at power forward. Kevin Seraphin is a restricted free agent but he's still undersized and not a rim protector.

The Wizards generally prefer to not fill up all 15 roster spots, leaving one open to give them flexibility during the season.

I'm a long suffering Nets fan and have seen the Washington professional basketball team suffer for along time too. Its been a solid summer for your team and you made the right decision in letting Ariza go. Paul Pierce is a shell of himself now but he can still score but just expect him a stretch four who will come off the bench. It seems the Wizards offer was his best in free agency, that should tell you what other teams think of him now.


I think the Wizards (any chance of you becoming the Bullets again?) are the best placed team to sign Durant in 2016 if he chooses to leave the Thunder.

Personally I think Durant will stay with OKC if they continue to put a talented team around him, the GM is a brilliant evaluator of talent.

Every team is going to want to sign Durant in 2016 summer but Wizards only have the following contracts on the cap:

Wall & Beal (by then the best back court in the league)
Gortat
Porter (rookie contract)

If Durant was going to go anywhere then his home city surely will be the leading candidate. I mean Lebron never joined the big city glory franchises like the Knicks or Lakers so why would Durant need to do that.

Thunder or Wizards in 2016 for Durant.

Webster will be on the books, too. His 4th year becomes guaranteed if he plays in 102 games over the next two seasons. Unless his back is truly, truly fucked, he'll reach that.

Hopefully the cap explodes. Otherwise I can't see this team re-signing Beal and bringing Durant aboard. Love that we're dreaming big, though.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11218871/washington-wizards-get-kris-humphries-boston-celtics

I like this move. Good price. Veteran guy who is reportedly good in the locker room.

Shot really well from midrange last year. Rebounds, and is a good, physical post defender.

We won't have an offensive hole at the 4 when Nene takes his annual 20 game sabbatical (I mean no diss to Cook Book, but c'mon)

Good guy to have on the second unit.
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11223777/dejuan-blair-heading-washington-wizards-sign-trade-dallas-mavericks

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

His best offseason since Kwame was flipped for Caron Butler. I'm cool with it.

PG: Wall / Miller

SG: Beal / Temple (I expect)

SF: Pierce / Webster / Porter/ Rice

PF: Nene / Humphries / Gooden

C: Gortat / Blair

Any cheap combo guards available to round out the roster?

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

Or at least that's the buzz I'm hearing.

SF rotation will likely be Pierce/Porter with Webster in spots if no one else's shot is falling.

I think Rice Jr. will be slotted at the 2 as well.

______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

Remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNJXjJKbvdQ

Or this? http://deadspin.com/235589/brendan-haywood-and-etan-thomas-need-a-timeout

And these ninjas who i will hate with the fire of a 1000 suns until the end of time - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAVgmlmsTAI

Pierce, Humphries, and Blair are coming aboard as bona fide basketball players with unquestionable ability to contribute in the complementary roles and contracts they will have. Miller and Gooden are in the same boat.

Maybe we could use some young back court help - Glen Rice Jr. I see you lightin up the summer league! - but this is the best team they've put together since the 80s.

Pressure is on now.

but really tho - I just want these dudes to destroy Denver and LA and the phillipines or wherever blatche lands. And let booker in utah survive to tell the tale. cuz he was a solid dude. but yeah, conference finals or not, make Swaggy P and Pierre cry, please. Thanks.

I don't even care about them no more. If we win or lose against them, they all on shitty teams and they have been exposed as shitty players. ECFs is all that matter to me. I haven't been alive to see a Wizards/Bullets team do so.

Jan Vesely was picked #6 in 2011 NBA Draft. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard? #15

WHAT'S GOOD *****? What's REALLY good?!?!????!!! Ha HA!
http://40.media.tumblr.com/d8e2daf9f3f37244cd05436bcdf05973/tumblr_mt4qibKq4c1rgam01o1_1280.png

This is universally known amongst Wiz fans....If its not a top 3 pick....Its a toss up....

The Wiz failed Jan not the other way around.

Is he better than Kawhi? No.

But he had value.

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

they let him go too.

#6 picks in the draft are hit and miss anyway. he seems mentally soft. no matter how physically gifted he is, needing to be coddled is a major problem. Ernie hasn't cut/traded many people that went on to do better things.

player development is a bit of a catch-22. The teams that are better at it are already good teams that dont put pressure on young players to be good. they just have to find a niche and contribute. teams like the wizards just acquire as much talent as possible and see who shakes out.

Booker stuck around, despite being less talented than jan, young, mcgee, or blatche, cuz he is mature and a grinder. Others could have learned a role but didnt.

Development is sorely lacking. It's like- okay, who hangs around and does something?

You could say with the right staff even Javale, Young and Swaggy P coulda been contenders. But they're not.
______________________________________________________________________________

cscpov.blogspot.com

"There's a fine line between persistence and foolishness..."
-unknown

"To Each His Reach"

>You could say with the right staff even Javale, Young and
>Swaggy P coulda been contenders. But they're not.

those guys are goofballs. They are set financially and dont actually have to care about having significant careers. nobody was getting anything out them, imo. its ernies fault for taking so many high talent and low IQ dudes in a short time.

they got thrust into the spotlight way too early with no vet presence around to give them guidance.

@ESPNSteinLine: Just got word that the Wizards' John Wall WILL be in Team USA camp starting Monday in Las Vegas.

===

Wall joins Beal and:

Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks)
Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
Chandler Parsons (Dallas Mavericks)
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) <--- only other team with 2 guys at camp

on the team

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

hope he's been working on that jumper and finishing at the rim.