The Official Washington Wizards Thread

[RonArtest15]

I'd honestly sign Nate Robinson next season, he's been solid for he Bulls. He has his "WTF" moments but he's been pretty good, and with Kirk Hinrich I assume returning+teague and Rose coming back he might be able to get the playing time he wants here. If Ariza continues his steady play he may do us a favor and opt out.

My list of free agent targets:

Devin Harris (first guard off the bench)
Kyle Korver (shooter)
Anthony Morrow (Shooter)
Leandro Barbosa (first guard off the bench)
Corey Brewer (defensive stopper)
Will Bynum (backup PG)
Jarrett Jack (backup PG)
Carl Landry (first big off the bench)
Earl Clark (combo forward)
Tony Allen (first guard off the bench)
Jerryd Bayless (back up PG)
Beno Udrih (back up PG)
Mo Williams (back up PG)

http://www.nba.com/2013/news/feature...=iref:nbahpt3b

You find a vet to be a backup PG. We've got a need for a starting C coming up after next year. That's going to be a lot harder to fill in FA or through trade than backup PG will be.

We need a Vet that's going to be better than Pargo/Mack. PG play was one of the main reasons why we had only 5 wins before Wall was healthy. It's imperative that the back up 1 spot is upgraded going forward whether it's someone like Nate Robinson or trying to groom a rookie PG like Trey Burke (acquiring a 2nd 1st round pick) or bringing over Satoransky.

[Fight4RGIII]

I do love Butler, tho. I was a freshman at Ohio U during one of the Cleveland/Wiz playoffs series and Butler hit a game winner (I think he traveled on the play, but whatever, so did LeBron). I made a Butler Jersey out of a white t shirt and wore it around campus. It was pretty fun but of course, they got the last laugh.

[stevemcqueen1]

That sucks about Caron. I would have liked to get him back.

That might be something to shoot for in the offseason. Unless Ariza waives his player option. The salaries are pretty even and both would be expiring.

PG: Wall
SG: Beal
SF: Caron
PF: Nene
C: Okafor

With Zeller or Porter coming off the bench. Find a good vet backup PG and credible SF depth. You've got a load of PFs to come off the bench. I daresey that's a pretty good team and perhaps good enough to climb a little higher than a low seed.

[StillUnknown]

I'd rather keep Ariza. His contract is essentially the same cost and duration but Ariza is a lot younger and a better defender. Not sure what an old Butler brings that Webster isn't already providing.

I'm of a similar mind. As much as Ariza frustrates me on offense, he is by far our best perimeter defender.

[stevemcqueen1]

I'd rather keep Ariza. His contract is essentially the same cost and duration but Ariza is a lot younger and a better defender. Not sure what an old Butler brings that Webster isn't already providing.

I think he's a better scorer although Ariza has been a great fit. He's got that triple threat offense where you can pass him the ball, isolate, and he can get you points. You're right that he would be a step dow defensively and he is older but it'd basically be a one year rental.

---------- Post added February-25th-2013 at 01:18 PM ----------

I'm of a similar mind. As much as Ariza frustrates me on offense, he is by far our best perimeter defender.

Yeah he's been outstanding on defense this year. It might actually be one of his finest season defensively. Though part of that could be how good Nene and Okafor have been anchoring the D.

He can hit open 3s too so he's not a total loss on that side.

If you're not planning on extending Ariza, it could make some sense to deal him for Caron for a year though. Trading defense for offense, particularly in the half court.

[Gator Bait]

I think I might be the biggest Caron Butler fan on this board...he was my favorite player while he was here, but no way I make that trade. As it's been pointed out, Ariza is the best perimeter defender on our team (that lacks good perimeter defense)...he is a must keep. I hope we re-sign him to a reasonable contract in two years when he is a free agent. Butler isn't close to the same player he was while he was here in Washington. I'd be open to bring him in as a FA to be the 8/9th player in the rotation, but that's about it.

[Hersh]

The Wizards don't need a small forward in Caron Butler who is on the downside of his career. That's another move that doesn't make any sense in the grand scheme of building a winner.

Same with the thought process of adding a second lottery pick next season. If anything, on draft day, the Wizards should look to trade this years pick, along with the expiring contracts that they will have, for an all-star caliber player if one is available. Since teams will be looking to clear cap space for 2014, a surprise player or two with longer contracts might be available.

[RonArtest15]

I don't even know why Ernie Grunfeld would try to make that move in the first place? Butler is 5 years older and makes more money. Not to mention, he wouldn't bring nearly as much to the table for this specific Wizards team like Ariza does. I guess the one silver lining in all of this is that Donald Sterling is dumber than EG for turning down the trade.

[Skins199021]

The Wizards don't need a small forward in Caron Butler who is on the downside of his career. That's another move that doesn't make any sense in the grand scheme of building a winner.

Same with the thought process of adding a second lottery pick next season. If anything, on draft day, the Wizards should look to trade this years pick, along with the expiring contracts that they will have, for an all-star caliber player if one is available. Since teams will be looking to clear cap space for 2014, a surprise player or two with longer contracts might be available.

Sure if it is a young guy like Harden, Im not trading our pick for a guy like Gay or Smith who are 28. So If a guy like Cousins, Love, or someone else like that is available than we should keep our 2013 pick no matter what

---------- Post added February-25th-2013 at 02:03 PM ----------

ehh I wouldn't have minded a Butler Trade. Brings more offense for sure than Ariza.... but maybe its just my 15-18 year old self in me that remembers cheering for Caron

[RonArtest15]

Sure if it is a young guy like Harden, Im not trading our pick for a guy like Gay or Smith who are 28. So If a guy like Cousins, Love, or someone else like that is available than we should keep our 2013 pick no matter what

---------- Post added February-25th-2013 at 02:03 PM ----------

ehh I wouldn't have minded a Butler Trade. Brings more offense for sure than Ariza.... but maybe its just my 15-18 year old self in me that remembers cheering for Caron

You also have to remember that Caron Butler benefits from playing alongside of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. He's getting A LOT of open looks and I'd seriously doubt that he'd be 1/4 of that effective here in DC.

Ariza knows his role and does it very well here for the Wizards...and at this point in time, he's a 10x better fit for this team.

[Gator Bait]

Same with the thought process of adding a second lottery pick next season. If anything, on draft day, the Wizards should look to trade this years pick, along with the expiring contracts that they will have, for an all-star caliber player if one is available. Since teams will be looking to clear cap space for 2014, a surprise player or two with longer contracts might be available.

This is a great idea. I don't understand the logic in adding another lottery pick in a historically bad draft year. That makes no sense at all. I don't think you'd find anyone available that would be worth our expiring contracts/draft pick; but if we did find someone; I'd be all for it.

[RonArtest15]

The Wizards don't need a small forward in Caron Butler who is on the downside of his career. That's another move that doesn't make any sense in the grand scheme of building a winner.

Same with the thought process of adding a second lottery pick next season. If anything, on draft day, the Wizards should look to trade this years pick, along with the expiring contracts that they will have, for an all-star caliber player if one is available. Since teams will be looking to clear cap space for 2014, a surprise player or two with longer contracts might be available.

Just depends on who is available via trade and if our draft pick + players are enough to get it done. Only guy who I think would fit that bill is Demarcus Cousins. Sacto might be dumb enough to do this...but I can't see a guy like Kevin Love or anyone of that stature being available for what we have to offer.

[Gator Bait]

Milwaukee has been pretty awful lately and they are currently in the 8 spot. Toronto has been on a tear as of late, but if they cool off and we stay hot, playoffs aren't out of the question for this team. Up until this point, 33/54 of our opponents were playoff teams; the rest of the way we only see 13/28 playoff team. No likely, but if we can start winning on the road, we could sneak into the 8 spot.

[StillUnknown]

Milwaukee has been pretty awful lately and they are currently in the 8 spot. Toronto has been on a tear as of late, but if they cool off and we stay hot, playoffs aren't out of the question for this team. Up until this point, 33/54 of our opponents were playoff teams; the rest of the way we only see 13/28 playoff team. No likely, but if we can start winning on the road, we could sneak into the 8 spot.

We do better against playoff teams. Its the bottom barrel squads that give us the most trouble for some reason.

Playoffs are still an extreme long shot

[Fight4RGIII]

Don't do anything stupid in the offseason and come back healthy at the start of next year, that's all I'm hopeful for. Of course, that is A LOT to ask out of the Washington Wizards.