Wizards Sign RFA PG Dee Brown to an Offer Sheet

[r2k64]

Also yesterday, the Wizards signed Utah Jazz restricted free agent point guard Dee Brown to an offer sheet for a two-year, partially guaranteed deal. Utah has one week to match the offer.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070902297.html

Wow, nice. He could be that young 3rd PG on the roster (that I feel the Wiz should have), if Utah doesn't match that is. Hopefully Utah doesn't match. We'll see what happens.

[twenty-eight]

Friend of mine told me abuot this a couple days ago...said he saw it on realgm....?

Dude was a beast in college....

[WizSkinsO's]

Did he even play in the NBA last season?

[twenty-eight]

Did he even play in the NBA last season?

I dont think so

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/daniel_brown/

[r2k64]

Friend of mine told me abuot this a couple days ago...said he saw it on realgm....?

Dude was a beast in college....
Yeah, I saw something on Dee Brown to the Wiz a few days ago on RealGM also, but it was just for Summer League I believe. Then I thought I read he was going to join the Pistons' Summer League team. So this is a little different I believe, in terms of signing him, with the intention of him maybe making the roster? I may be wrong, I just think this is bigger than a Summer League signing to a team.

And I agree, he was great in college.

[jtyler42]

This is a who cares move...To me at least...

[method man]

Excellent move. This guy has the elite quickness and tenacity to guard some of today's best point guards like Chris Paul and Steve Nash. He is a bit raw, but he is an underrated player.

[The Caretaker]

This is a who cares move...To me at least...

I agree, sometimes you gotta wonder about some of the free agent signings as of late, of course, I am no GM, and Grunfeld has a nack of finding talent from no where.

[Clutch03]

I agree, sometimes you gotta wonder about some of the free agent signings as of late, of course, I am no GM, and Grunfeld has a nack of finding talent from no where.

I'm glad you at least admit that you might not know what you are talking about. Because a lot of folks on this board seem to know everything and nothing all at once. I'm not jumping out of my seat on this one either but I trust Ernie. If he sees something in this guy then we should wait and see what he brings to the table.

We've been asking for another true PG for awhile, Brown is still young and from what I can remember he can shoot the 3 pointer fairly well. I'm hoping he can possibly join the summer league team so we can get a good look at him but I don't know how that works with restricted free agents.

[pjfootballer]

This guy was a stud in college. He had some injuries if I remember correctly that actully hindered him being a top 10 pick. He was kind of forced to go back to college because of the injuries. He may turn out to be a gem, but for right now, he's bench fodder.

[jtyler42]

Yeah It took me a minute to remember him, his name was very familiar but I couldn't place it...When I saw he went to Illinois, I was like ooooo ok this is the guy that reminded me of Jason Terry in college...

Not sure why he hasn't panned out in the pros, but I hope he works out b/c I want a replacement for AD...

[r2k64]

Here's some more info from Ivan on Dee Brown's signing:
The Wiz will have between $2.5 million and $3 million under the tax threshold and have already made a move with those limited funds by exenting an offer sheet to Utah Jazz restricted free agent point guard Dee Brown.

The Jazz have one week to match but according to the folks I've spoken with, they will not do it. Not sure on the exact figures but I can tell you that it's partially guaranteed for two years. Basically, it's a technicality because the Jazz still hold Brown's rights even though the have no intention of keeping him.

Brown would seem to fit the bill as a possible third point behind Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels. The former Illinois star played has appeared in 49 games - all with the Jazz during the 2006-2007 season - but did not play at all last season. Right now, I'm not sure that Brown will be on the summer league squad but I would assume that he will be.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/

Nice. Sounds like the Jazz don't plan on matching. Hope his signing works out well for the Wiz.

[Gator Bait]

I'm a little bit concerned that we signed a 3rd string PG rather than a 2nd string SF. The front office and coaching staff must have a lot of confidence in Dmac. I like Dmac, he looks like a promising roll-player, but I didn't think he would get significant minutes this year.

I guess we are pretty much out of the Posey sweepstakes then.

I wonder if the wiz plan on trading AD later on this year?

[Kevin101]

Dee Brown and Deron Williams were a nasty combo at Illinois.

[Gator Bait]

Dee Brown and Deron Williams were a nasty combo at Illinois.

I hope Dee plays like Deron for us

[joony11]

I'm a little bit concerned that we signed a 3rd string PG rather than a 2nd string SF. The front office and coaching staff must have a lot of confidence in Dmac. I like Dmac, he looks like a promising roll-player, but I didn't think he would get significant minutes this year.

I guess we are pretty much out of the Posey sweepstakes then.

I wonder if the wiz plan on trading AD later on this year?

I feel a part of it is that Jamison can always play the 3 too and we know how many backup PFs we have. So in a sense Jamison can slide over to SF when we put Caron on the bench. But maybe it also means more time for Dmac as well, who knows

[BoRnAndRaiSedSkinsFan]

At Illinois, Brown, Williams, and Head shot lights out. I'm guessing Dee Brown will fit more into our system than he did with the Jazz. I'm hoping if he impresses this means we will be able to move AD. I love AD, but we do need to make some changes in role players if we want to contend. If we can get rid of AD and ET contracts, it can hopefully free enough space to get a big who can reallyhelp us with defense and rebounding. I'm kind of interested in seeing what Brown can do for us. He has a lot of talent. I think this has the potential to be a good pickup for us.

[pedigroove]

Brown played in Turkey last year because Utah has lots of depth at PG and he didn't think he would make the team or get to play much if he did make it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3034878

Hopefully he can give us good minutes as a backup and maybe develop into something more.

[abdcskins]

Hell yeah Dee Brown was a beast at Illinois. He would've been a top 10 pick if he didn't break his foot in a NBA pre-draft camp, hence his return for his senior season. He played last year in Turkey for Galatasaray, where he averaged 14.7 PPG and 3.8 APG. I'm just glad we have a young PG with potential.

[Gator Bait]

I'm hoping if he impresses this means we will be able to move AD. I love AD, but we do need to make some changes in role players if we want to contend. If we can get rid of AD and ET contracts, it can hopefully free enough space to get a big who can reallyhelp us with defense and rebounding

I'm a huge AD fan....I really hope we can keep him! He may be slightly over payed....but he is a competitor....he hits the hole harder than anyone on the team...draws lots of fouls and doesn't turn the ball over.

Call me crazy....but I don't think we need another Big to rebound and play defense.....I did last year....but I think Blatche will get better....he has been improving every year....this is the year it all finally comes together for him!

Does anyone remember two years ago when Etan Thomas was killin it at the begining of the season....he was good for 10/10 just about every game?

It's been said on here before...and I believe a very good rotation of the lineup would have wood and etan on the court at the same time. At that time we could either give Butler a rest and move Antawn to the 3, or we could sit Antawn and bring Etan in for him at the 4.

We have lots of options with this team! We can go small & Fast

Blatche
Antawn
Butler
Gil
AD

we can go big

Wood
Etan
Blatch/Antawn
Butler
Gil

I think we are very deep....I'd just like to have another swing-man SF/SG

What happened w/ that guy we drafted in the 2nd round?

[TheREALJBird]

Good news, I've always liked Dee Brown's game. Let's hope we can bring him to Washington

[hfmonk]

This is a third string signing....nothing to get overjoyed about.
In a few years he might be pretty good.
Dont expect much from him for now.

Do expect a trade later on.
We are probably shopping Poet and Woody(think toy story....long and lanky...not much else)
EG has already said that he was impressed with Blatche and how he scored 18 and 8 per night.
That hints that he is going to start AB and he sort of bypasses questions of Etan.
Which means to me he is hoping a retirement or trade may come during training camp.
He seemed less impressed with Woody when asked.
He seemed to state that he got better this year but not very excitedly so.
Of course judging excitement on EG is hard to do.
He wont win any contests for most animated person.

[mboyd784]

I hope Dee plays like Deron for us

I wouldn't count on it.

[twenty-eight]

Jazz Won't Match Wizards' Offer to Brown

Friday, July 11, 2008; E02

The Utah Jazz will not match an offer sheet the Washington Wizards have extended to restricted free agent point guard Dee Brown, according to multiple league sources familiar with the situation.

Brown, who played 49 regular season and eight playoff games as a rookie with the Jazz during the 2006-07 season but played in Turkey last season, agreed to a two-year partially guaranteed deal with the Wizards on Wednesday.

The Jazz retained the right to match any offer made to Brown because it tendered him a qualifying offer following the 2006-07 season.

The 6-foot, 181-pound Brown will play with the Wizards' summer league team in Las Vegas next week. Brown, who starred at Illinois along with Jazz all-star Deron Williams, could fill Washington's need for a third point guard, one who can spell veterans Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels and provide insurance in case of injuries.

During one stretch last season, when Arenas was out following left knee surgery and Daniels was out with a sprained knee, the Wizards were forced to play without a true point guard.

"Dee is a player who can bring quickness and energy to our team," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. "We like that he gives us depth and a different look at the point guard position."

Utah has until Wednesday to match the offer sheet but the team will not do so because it is set at point guard with Williams, Ronnie Price and Jason Hart, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Brown averaged 1.9 points and 1.7 assists while seeing limited playing time with the Jazz. Once Brown officially signs, the Wizards will have 13 players under contract. Arenas is expected to sign the six-year, $111 million deal he and the team have agreed to when he returns from a trip to Asia and Europe next week.

Once Arenas and Brown are signed, the Wizards will still have about $2.5 million under the luxury tax threshold ($71.15 million) to add another free agent.

-- Ivan Carter

[TODD]

A poor man's Roger Mason, quite literally. This signing doesn't improve us, but I think we can get similar production from Brown that we had from RMJ. This is a replacement move that saves us some money but sacrifices production. I agree with most of you all that Dee's talent is there, I look forward to seeing what he can do with more minutes.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Eh, what the hell. Dude was a monster in college. And I don't see how this takes us out of the running for Posey or anyone else we were targeting. It's fodder through and through (but low-risk high-reward fodder. Money.)

On a couple of other notes:

Hate to say it, but me thinks that those of you on Blatches nuts are going to be sorely disappointed.

While I like him on a personal level and think he's a pretty cool dude, he just doesn't have that fire. He'll never be more than a role-player. It's a shame really cause the natural ability is there.

On another note, I'm actually excited about getting Etan back. While he isn't going to be making any all-star teams (hardly) he was never really THAT bad. Ok maybe he was, but he always played with heart and hustled his ass off. Can't ever have enough of those. Especially when they're big.

Oh and LOL at those want to trade Mr. Haywood. You know who you are.

[LiveStrongSkins]

A poor man's Roger Mason, quite literally. This signing doesn't improve us, but I think we can get similar production from Brown that we had from RMJ. This is a replacement move that saves us some money but sacrifices production. I agree with most of you all that Dee's talent is there, I look forward to seeing what he can do with more minutes.

Poor mans Roger Mason? They are nothing alike.. so thats not a good comparison at all. For one, Mason cannot run an offense and cannot handle the ball. He is a spot up shooter. Maybe you lose production in terms of outside shooting but we pick up a young PG with tremendous quickness and the ability to come in and handle the ball. Mason is a tweener/SG.. Brown is a pure PG.

[pjfootballer]

Poor mans Roger Mason? They are nothing alike.. so thats not a good comparison at all. For one, Mason cannot run an offense and cannot handle the ball. He is a spot up shooter. Maybe you lose production in terms of outside shooting but we pick up a young PG with tremendous quickness and the ability to come in and handle the ball. Mason is a tweener/SG.. Brown is a pure PG.

Took the words right out of my mouth. One is a 6-5 PG/SG, the other is a
6-0 pure PG. Mason could handle the ball, but wasn't as adept at running the offense as a true PG.

[twenty-eight]

-Blatche, who will play in SL, looks like he's putting on some muscle up top. He's clearly starting to grow into that body. He should dominate as a rebounder and shotblocker in Las Vegas no?

[TheREALJBird]

-Blatche, who will play in SL, looks like he's putting on some muscle up top. He's clearly starting to grow into that body. He should dominate as a rebounder and shotblocker in Las Vegas no?

Vegas is one thing, if he does it come regular season I'll get a bit more excited

[twenty-eight]

Vegas is one thing, if he does it come regular season I'll get a bit more excited

I dont care about SL...

he's putting on some muscle up top. He's clearly starting to grow into that body

Thats what I like to hear

[bulldog]

The Wizards need better speed and penetration from their point guard position. Daniels is a good defender and veteran presence but at 33 doesn't have the athletic ability to break a defense down with his speed on the floor and push things up court to the scorers on this team.

Dee Brown is not a marquee name but he is an interesting dark horse candidate.

The Wizards had 2 spots, #14 and #15, open on the roster with Mason leaving and I am glad to see the team is filling these spots and not going with a short bench.