OT: Wizards Seek Point Guard in Free Agency

[bulldog]

it appears that two days into his new job, GM Ernie Grunfeld has grasped what the past two GM's Wes Unseld and Michael Jordan failed to, namely that you need some depth at the point guard position to be a playoff team in the NBA.

letting Tyronn Lue go and moving Larry Hughes back to shooting guard are two by-products of that decision, thank God for Wizards fans.

__________________________________________________ _

President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld may be new to the Washington Wizards, but he's not new to the job. Less than 24 hours after being hired, Grunfeld contacted representatives for free agent point guards Speedy Claxton and Kevin Ollie about filling the team's most needy position.

Yesterday marked the first time teams could speak to free agents. Contracts cannot be signed until July 16.

Grunfeld, according to Claxton's agent, Bill Duffy, expressed substantial interest in the third-year guard who raised his stock in the NBA Finals with San Antonio by filling in for Tony Parker in the final three games of the series. The Spurs won the series, 4-2, over the New Jersey Nets, whose lead assistant coach at the time, Eddie Jordan, is now the head coach of the Wizards.

Jordan has not hidden his intention of signing a point guard with experience to help handle the young roster he has inherited. After such top-tier names as Jason Kidd, Gary Payton and Gilbert Arenas, Claxton is considered one of the best available on the free agent market.

The Wizards have roughly $6.5 million to spend in free agency, which should be enough to acquire Claxton and another free agent, possibly Ollie. Jordan coached Ollie in New Jersey. Grunfeld, who last worked as the Milwaukee Bucks' general manager, signed Ollie in Milwaukee (before later trading him).

Both Claxton and Ollie have drawn the interest of several teams. Each player's agent said, however, that Washington would be a desirable location.

With Washington unlikely to bring back Tyronn Lue (also a free agent), the only true point guard on the roster is second-round draft pick Steve Blake.

Grunfeld did not acknowledge which prospects he contacted but said, "I wanted to get the pulse of what's going on."

Other than Claxton and Ollie, other free agent point guards include Antonio Daniels, Darrell Armstrong, Jacque Vaughn, Kenny Anderson and Chris Whitney, a former Wizard.

Grunfeld and Jordan have said they like the makeup of their roster and that major changes are unlikely.

In terms of shaping the basketball operations staff, Grunfeld said, "I'll take my time."

[The Evil Genius]

Gilbert Arenas would be a good addition to any team...unfortunately he is going to demand big bucks.

I am not sold on Claxton...maybe its because I havent seen him play as much as Arenas

[Gamebreaker]

I'm not sold on Claxton either, too inconsistent for my taste. I'd rather have Gilbert Arenas. Not only can he pass, but he can score when the team needs someone to step up.

I think he's worth the extra bucks to bring him here. I'm not very interested in Kevin Ollie at all.

[earl]

obviously i would prefer arenas, but i think claxton is a solid young pg. operative word being young. he has a huge upside and the potential to be playing for a long time. however if the wiz are looking for a solid vet to teach young steve blake, and still be able to perform right away, i think a small safe investment would be kenny anderson. he could definitely run our team, for the next couple of seasons, and mentor blake.

[js79]

kenny anderson would be a very good addition, speedy has upside but so did tyron LUE when we brought that BUM in

[Funkyalligator]

I thought the wizards had a lot more money under the salary cap than they are talking about in the article.

[gbear]

Yeah, but we resigned Stackhouse. Doh! I still wish wehadn't done that. I jsut don't see him as that big of an improvement over Hughes/Dixon to warrant spending the extra money.

[The Evil Genius]

gbear,

I wouldnt compare Hughes and Stack... Hughes will always be a player with potential and a third rate career in the NBA.

Stack is a proven scorer.

Dixon is an unknown, even now. He doesnt compare well to Stack either.

Stack is the only proven player on the Wiz right now...

[RTerps2002]

I don't like the resigning of Stackhouse because he is a temporary solution and he will take minutes from the younger players...

[Buford]

The point here is that they are doing it right.

No reason to rush right now. Get one of these guys to play PG......maybe try to move Hughes or Laettner for some depth at another spot. Who knows?

No rush, they aren't a playoff team.

[Thinking Skins]

yes they are. They will be in the playoffs this year,

[Gamebreaker]

I don't know about the playoffs. Matter of fact, the playoffs are definitely out of their reach this season. There are too many young players and rookies being counted upon to play well on a consistent basis, and that simply isn't going to happen for this squad yet.

Now next year is a possibility, just as long as Grunfield and Jordan can get along and are allowed to do their jobs with no interference from Pollin/O'Malley.

Kwame needs to breakout this season, if he doesn't, he won't be a Wizard afterwards. Which is sad, because even if he doesn't breakout next season, it doesn't mean he won't be an all-star one day. The minute the Wiz let this guy go to the open market, there will be plenty of teams trying to scoop him up. IMO, I think Jordan is going to help Kwame along the way he helped Kenyon Martin.

Although not a popular pick, Jarvis Hayes will help the Wizards in many ways. He's a good three point shooter, something the Wizards lacked last season, and he's a consistent scorer who'll be able to take some pressure off Stackhouse.

Ok, I've rambled enough. Like I said, this team has talent, but it still needs to be molded into something good. And with a solid GM/President and a talented coach, they may actually turn out to be good for once.

[laurent]

I don't like the idea of spending money on a PG right now. I'm with Bufford on this one. Let's see if somebody on the roster can step up while Eddie Jordan gets a feel for his players and has a better idea on what pieces are missing.

[Golgo-13]

Originally posted by laurent
I don't like the idea of spending money on a PG right now. I'm with Bufford on this one. Let's see if somebody on the roster can step up while Eddie Jordan gets a feel for his players and has a better idea on what pieces are missing.

I can't agree with you there partner. PG is the most important position on the floor and if the Wiz had had even a decent one last year they may have been in the playoffs. All of the guys on the roster now, save Blake, who could play PG would just be converted shooting guards. If you want to see what kind of difference a PG makes, take a look at Boston two years ago vs. Boston last year, and that's Kenny "the bum" Anderson we're talking about there. The point is, we have a few guys who can score (Stack, Hughes, Jeffries, Laettner), we just need to find somebody who can get them the ball. It's nice to see the Wiz doing things the right way for a change.

[gbear]

TEG,
I'm not saying Dixon or Hughes is as good as Stack. We just have a log jam at the posiiton. I'm not sure his contract was worth how much better he is than Hughes. I sould rather have had the money to throw at the PG position.

I'd like to see what Kwame, Haywood, and White could do with a decent PG. Haywood and White seem ot have stone hands, but wouldn't it be nice if the passes actually got to their hands?

INstead, we have all our big guys play Elton Brand ball where the only points they get are with offensive rebounds. Only Etan and occassionaly Kwame have the drive and quickness for that kind of game. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to pound it inside some?

[endzone_dave]

Is there anyone else other than me who liked Chris Whitney when he was here? He's good for 10 points a game and seemed pretty solid. It's not like we're going to pick up a Gary Payton type FA this year anyway.

[Om]

I liked Whitney as a backup PG, just not a starter. He had good ball skills and a decent -- if streaky -- jumper ... but I think he's already maxed out on what he can bring to the table. A nice guy to have around on a playoff-type team to give a steady hand off the bench, and give you 10-15 mins. a game, but I dont' think he'll ever be the lead guard on a contender.

[endzone_dave]

Originally posted by Om
I liked Whitney as a backup PG, just not a starter. He had good ball skills and a decent -- if streaky -- jumper ... but I think he's already maxed out on what he can bring to the table. A nice guy to have around on a playoff-type team to give a steady hand off the bench, and give you 10-15 mins. a game, but I dont' think he'll ever be the lead guard on a contender.

You're definitely right about Whitney not being the lead guard on a contender. Sadly we're a few years away from that. I think he'd be a nice cheap "patch".

[AJWatson3]

i wish we could move jahidi white....

and i would like to see dixon at the point this year...

[Om]

I understand the "patch" idea, ED, but I have to admit it makes my stomach churn. For as long as I can remember, the Wiz have been a patch held together by pieces of fabric ... as opposed to the other way around.

True enough, though, in the absence of a true NBA point, he could be as good a patch as any, while the team goes about what I see as it's primary mission in 2003:

... seeing if Kwame can play. If he can, and Kid Jarvis shows promise shooting from the outside, they have some nice other pieces to play with already here: Dixon, Jeffries, even Eton Thomas as a change-of-pace bruiser if he can stay healthy.

If Kwame CAN'T, though ... or at least DOESN'T this year ... we're right back where we started before MJ ever came to town.

About the best thing I've seen out of this whole sorry mess is the hiring of Eddie Jordan and Ernie Grunfeld. If Abe and Susan and Wes can stay the hell out of the way now for 2-3 years, and Abe is willing to open the wallet, I actually get the feeling the team may have some direction.

Been a long time coming, that.

*

AJ, all the "experts" I've heard agree that while Juan Dixon has a nice upside at the 2, he just isn't a natural point. If we're gonna run Eddie Jordan's modified Princeton offense here, we're gonna need a guy to can handle the rock and distribute with quickness and precision night in and night out.

I hope they don't ask Juan to become that guy. I think it would be unfair to him, and also deprive the team of an "instant offense" threat off the bench in spelling Stackhouse.

Juan may prove me wrong here, but I don't really see him at the point in the NBA, and frankly, I don't think he's big enough to defend as a starter at 2, either. Guys will post him up like crazy.

He's a gamer, though, sure as hell. I would LOVE to see him make a fool outta me. :)

[Golgo-13]

In my mind PG is the position you should really drop money on. 2/3 players are the most common around and are easier to come by and a true center is always worth the money but a VERY rare find. You need to have a quality PG running your team especially in EJ's system. This is not something we should do half-assed. We have been trying the half-assed/patchwork approach and as a result have been "waiting for next year" for 2+ decades. It's time to get on the move NOW. Not to mention the fact that the East is a weaker conference. There really is no reason why the couldn't suprise some people and steal a 7th or 8th slot even this year. Stranger things have happened.

[Om]

Nothing in that post I disagree with.

So, who's the guy you'd have Grunfeld realistically target at point for 2003, Golgo?

*

Edit:

Just saw your comments on Parker from NJ in the other thread. I could live with that ... although I have a feeling Kidd's no more than 50-50 to leave.

Who else?

[jbooma]

Originally posted by AJWatson3
i wish we could move jahidi white....




hey if kidd sings with San, Parker might be available. I would take a White for Parker trade, San needs size to deal with shaq we need a point guard. The NY Times has reported that Parker is gone when they sign kidd.

[Golgo-13]

Originally posted by jbooma



hey if kidd sings with San, Parker might be available. I would take a White for Parker trade, San needs size to deal with shaq we need a point guard. The NY Times has reported that Parker is gone when they sign kidd.

I have been saying that exact same thing for a long time. That move would make both sides very happy. But in the real world, I see us signing Claxton or Armstrong. Although Armstrong's stock will go down after this arrest. Currently, my money is on Speedy Claxton, but we will see.

[The Evil Genius]

That's weird...'cause I remember reading somethign last week about Parker going to the Spurs management and ASKING them to go after Kidd.

He said something along the lines that there was always the other guard position for him to play...

[Showtime]

I believe I read in the ESPN Insider today, that Parker would ask to be traded if the Spurs signed Kidd. The Spurs could get quite a bit for a young talented PG, much more than White. If they did sign Kidd, trading Parker for a SF or another tru SG would be ideal, especially if they had to potentially go up against Kobe, Shaq, Payton & Malone.

The PGs the Wizards are looking at (Claxton, Ollie, Daniels, Armstrong, Vaughn, Anderson and Whitney) are either over the hill or 2nd string grizzle. Even if there were decent PGs available (outside of Kidd) none of them would want to come to DC at this point. The whole Jordan/Pollin fiasco really hurt the Wizards of landing anyone.

[endzone_dave]

I hate the idea of patches too but there's total crap out there when it comes to FA PG's.

We're going to suck bad this year. Hopefully the ping-pong balls are kind to us and we have some nice cap space for next season. It stinks but that's what MJ has left us.

[Gamebreaker]

I think the team is going to suck too, but they also have the talent to get better. There are too many young players who need to develop their games, for this team to win consistently this year. Maybe Kwame and Jeffries will be ready, we all know what Stack can do. Yet Dixon, Blake, Hayes, and Thomas have alot of work to do. Some of those guys may not have a place here.

[Hitman56]

Wouldn't it be nice to get a few offensive rebounds once in a while?

[AJWatson3]

pavel podkolzine will be in the draft next year... he should be able to pull a few boards... of course we will have to be top 5 to even have a shot... more likely top-3.

what do you guys think of okafor from UCONN... they have been talking about him going lottery since his frosh. year.

[nfchamp1]

Claxon is the only point guard out there worth pursuing. In a half court set, he's quick enough to penetrate and score. I am not sold on his passing skills and willingness to pass. I remember him completely dominating the Wizards a year or so ago when Iverson was hurt and he started for the 76ers. If the Wiz can't get him, then resign Ty Lue. Lue is a good shooter and ball handler but was handcuffed in Collins conservative triangle. The majority of the offense consisted of dumping the ball to MJ or Stack and clearing out for them to go one on one. He's young enough to grow with and certainly quick enough to play in the new up tempo system.

Steve Blake is very underrated. He may not be he quickest guy out there (nor was Stockton) but he lets the ball do the running for him. He has excellent vision and passing skills. He led Maryland's up tempo system and managed their half court game pretty well. He is tough as nails and certainly does not lack confidence.

We don't need an old guy to come in and mentor them, unless he is coming to sit on the bench. They need every minute they can get. Let them make their mistakes and work them out of their system.

In a running, cutting and slashing offence, I like Larry Hughes. Don't forget he's very athletic, can defend, only 23 years old and still has room to grow.

These guys are not world beaters but there is nothing more exciting out there right now. They need to play with flair and confidence and it seems they have the coach to get them there.