Someone explain to me why Wittman is dead set on handing Ariza the starting job. If you're going to build chemistry, build it with guys who will actually be here 2-3 years from now. Ariza is dead weight. You're not "showcasing" him for a trade down the road. His value is as an expiring contract. Nobody, in 2014, is bringing in Trevor Ariza because they think he's the missing piece.
Get Webster some reps with the starting unit. Make him earn his money. What are we grooming Ariza for? To replace Shane Battier on the Heat next year?
Similarly, why is GR Jr. getting under 5 minutes a game? They seemingly only put him in at the end of games... and in at least two of those games he's knocked down clutch jumpshots. I don't think he's at risk of hitting the rookie wall if played 15 minutes a game. He already knows what it's like to play professional basketball.
These rotations are a joke. It's like they're
trying to undermine the team's confidence. They're putting starters in no-win situations against nobodies. They're telling the reserves that they can't be trusted in an exhibition.
I just hope that the FO realizes how thin the team is up front and makes a move to bolster the roster. Jan, obviously, ain't it. Seraphin is too up/down to count on. I hope the team does it's due diligence and tries to figure out a way to bring in either Asik or Gortat.
To swing any type of trade, you'd be looking for an "odd man out." That means you're looking to teams that have just replaced or are on the verge of replacing an existing starter. Houston with Asik. Phoenix (depending on Len's development) with Gortat. Detroit with Greg Monroe.
Of those three, Monroe is the most attractive player. Is it smart for the Pistons to decline his option and allow him to enter restricted free agency? Yes, actually. The restricted tag gives him trade value this year. Teams interested in retaining his services long term have a reason to make that deal at the deadline rather than simply waiting to throw money at him in the offseason, hoping Detroit won't match. The Pistons will FINALLY wrest themselves free from the disastrous Charlie Villanueva and Rodney Stuckey deals this summer, yielding a cap savings of about $17 million. That's enough for a max contract. Everyone knows that they prefer Drummond to Monroe and they're committed to paying Josh Smith $14 million annually through 2017. They desperately need help at the 2 and 3 spots. It doesn't make a lot of sense for them to create a $42 million logjam in the frontcourt. That said, Monroe's due for a "down year" with the arrival of Josh Smith. This gives them a bit of a hedge. If they match a reasonable offer sheet and retain him at a bargain rate, they'll be thrilled. If not, then it at least sets up a sign and trade scenario, where they get something back to facilitate Greg signing somewhere else. Had Detroit put this off until next season, they'd likely lose him and have nothing to show for it. This season, they'll have options.
Now, Washington has about $21 million coming off the books when Okafor and Ariza expire. That's more than enough to max out Monroe - though I don't think he's worth it. If you could get him in the $11 million range, so be it. Everyone overpays for bigs. I can deal with Pekovic money. However, max salaries should go to All Star caliber players. Monroe isn't on that level.
There's absolutely no way the Wizards can net Monroe without giving up Beal.
Porter + Okafor or Ariza wouldn't cut it.
Okafor and Ariza mean nothing to Detroit since Monroe can be considered an expiring anyway. They're just ballast. That said, there's no way they're getting anyone even remotely close to Bradley Beal for a restricted free agent - even in a sign and trade this summer. Porter's about the best they can hope for. Honestly, even he is too high of a price.
Detroit is
not going to match a max offer sheet for Monroe. It just doesn't make sense. If you're gonna go after him, do it this summer. Getting him this season does what? Drives up the price, forces us to match any offers for Monroe this summer (even a MAX offer, which he's more likely to attract after a good statistical season in Washington than a poor statistical season in Detroit) or risk giving away a good asset for nothing, and it hurts our draft status.
There's no need for the Wizards to make a panic move just to lose in the first round this year. They need to look at the big picture. WORST case scenario for Washington: you miss the playoffs, wind up with a low percentage lottery chance in a good draft, you have Okafor AND Ariza coming off the books. You have a chance to bring Okafor, who, if healthy, is a quality starter, at a discounted rate next season. Let Ariza walk and address your frontcourt depth in free agency.
Best case for Detroit: they pry Rudy Gay loose from Toronto, since Ujiri didn't bring him in and he doesn't seem to mesh with their team. More likely, they take what they can get this summer in a sign and trade - and the Wizards can be as aggressive there as anyone.
the vid is in the link at the bottom, here is an excerpt from the transcript (trust me, the video is better so you can see the reactions)
