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NLL Insider - Team by Team: Washington Wizards

by badwolf, updated on Monday, October 27 2014, 01:12 pm EST

2013-14 Finish: 20-62

Season Highlight

Not much good can be said about the Wizards season. Was there a highlight? Maybe the season end, the time GM Darko could say goodbye 2014. The season was going bad from the start. Bad results, bad trades, injuries, more ad decisions. And that was the good part.

Season Lowlight

But 2014 kept coming back. Sixers, the perennial contender, selected Jabari Parker, scoring power forward from Duke, the man that could become the next Carmelo Anthony, the NLL superstar.Sure, Jabari could bust, but he looks promising in the preseason. A bit fat, not the fastest guy on the court, not all that interested in defense... basically Melo 2.0. Jabari will haunt GM Darko, but probably not this season as he'll come of the bench (to add salt where it hurts) for the deep Sixers team.

Best Trade

Kevin Garnett, Gerald Wallace to Brooklyn for Chris Bosh, Alan Anderson.

Trade between ProID and Darko. And the winner is? While the initial comments where mixed, there's a clear winner here. Proid had a mission to get all the over the hill former players on his roster and left just as he accomplished that leaving a team in disarray for Wizkid. Darko managed to get a star PF for two NBA-dead players (though still kinda effective in NLL). Ofcourse Bosh didn't last long in Washington as Darko really doesn't like expiring deals. This one might bite him back (though that 20+ million contract is a burden of its own). Some actually liked this deal for Nets as it was seen it will send them to the playoffs. Greenmig said it the best, "Bosh ain't leaving, KG is a shell of his former self, Anderson > Wallace. good trade for WAS"

Worst Trade

Not the best trading season for Darko.
Vince Carter, Kyle Lowry and some cash for Andre Miller,Jeremy Lamb and 1st round pick.
The deal that looked bad at the beginning, could look better later (Lamb could bust, Lowry explodes,Wizards make the playoffs)but in the end it turned into a disaster -it's basically Reggie Jackson, Corey Brewer for Lamb, Miller and Jabari. Carter was heavily advertised and shopped before the trade, putting up great numbers in NLL. He was made the focal point in Washington, but didn't really move the needle, scoring 25 ppg on 44%/45% was great but he was eventually dumped for Brewer.

Other Notable Trades

Burke and money for Jennings... ugh, Jennings had a really disappointing year for his NBA and NLL teams. He looks better in new version. But Burke also looks much improved and could and as a much better (efficient, more team oriented, less headache inducing) version of Jennings. oh, and much cheaper for next three years. And controlled long term. "Darko is doing a... Darko" comment is priceless.

A lot of money for Nash... Nash looks retired and Darko will probably have to spend cash (though not that much as he's expiring) to amnesty him. He's still looking for the taker.

Lowry for Jackson... Both players had a breakout season. Reggie is showing he could be more then a backup, Lowry flirted with all star selection but was snubbed in the end. For now, Lowry has the upper hand, but Reggie is younger, bigger and might end up at the same level. Solid trade for both teams, maybe Wizards could squeeze a bit more out of Lowry (remember that dreaded expiring contract issue yet again)

Bosh for Bogut... Bosh is a much better offensive player, Bogut is a much better defender. There were years where Bosh was a superstar in NLL, leading the underdog Memphis team to the NLL title, but lately this is a guard dominated league and bigs play a lesser role. Problem with Bogut is that he's always injured. In theory Wizards now have a great anchor in the middle, but as former Bogut owner I'm telling you that watching injury reports each morning is very unnerving. There are back spasms, foot issues, migraines, mood swings, pube infections and occasional season ending injury (though not more then once per year).

McGee for Bargnani... Bargnani is always injured, but so is McGee. Bargnani, in theory, is a better fit next to Bogut. McGee is a teaser with his athleticism and shot blocking. Bargnani was a teaser with his floor stretching potential. But they both fell out of favour lately.

Carter for Brewer... Old guy out, new guy in. Old guy still much better.


Best FA Signing

Steve Blake, Byron Mullens, Donald Sloan, Chris Smith, Keith Bogans, Royce White... noone of significance signed for the Wizards


Worst FA Signing

Royce White? Another chance for BeWell that didn't go well. But mostly noone of significance signed for Wizards. Blake and Bogans should fight fr this spot. Blake played in 8 games shooting 24% from the field, while Bogans got 4 under his name shooting 19% before getting deep down on the bench. Both lasted only a couple of weeks.

Star

Gordon Hayward.Darko traded a 2nd overall pick MKG for Gordon Hayward two years ago. MKG is a great defender, but it doesn't look like he'll ever score. Hayward is a solid all around player without any big holes in his game. He played just like that last season, solid all around numbers, great efficiency from beyond the arc (in contrast to his down year in NBA), solid numbers that won't blow you away. He's a great third option, probably an OK second, but you need an alpha dog next to him.
 
Surprise

Andrew Bogut. Just cause he didn't get injured while Darko's payroll. Sure, he'd  miss the playoffs. He played in just 16 games and was quite solid, posting 15 and 11 with 59% shooting, could be their star if he'd come there sooner.

Goat

So many candidates.
Is it Jennings? 16 points on 33/34& from the field?
Is it Nash? 15 points on 48%, but only played 16 games and is out for the next season yet again.
Is it Carter? The man responsible for losing Jabari Parker. But stellar when he played.

Draft Report Card

Wizards didn't have any draft picks. We talked in extension about the first rounder and they traded the 2nd rounder for GM points. (In the end ended as Spencer Dinwiddie for the Spurs). They traded their 2nd rounder in 2015 15th pick in 2ndround and drafted Russ Smith. Smith is the new Pierre Jackson. Great college player and scorer that looks a bit small and defense-less for the NBA, but could carve a niche in the NLL.

Looking to the Future

Wizards have an ok starting five - Jennings looks servicable in 2k14, Thornton with improved efficiency is a solid player, Hayward would find a starting spot on most teams in the league, Sullinger looks like a great young stretch PF, Bogut is defensive juggernaut. The bench is full of guys that can play and score, and Darko already hinted he worked on trades during the offseason. Wizards are just a tweak or two (or three) away from competing for the playoffs.They're also a bad luck or trade away from being a bottom five team in the league, but that's true for most of us. A better Sg is a must. The one name being shop is Arron Afflallo, the other OJ Mayo. Both guys would strengthen their starting five. A better bench is another need, specially big man depth.

Upcoming Free Agents

Andrew Bogut. Signed an extension in NBA. Has an A loyalty. But Wizards bad score last season makes it interesting.
Gordon Hayward. RFA. Extended in NBA. Will come back.
Kenyon MArtin. Still FA in NBA. F loyalty. Won't come back.
Aaron Brooks. Found a new team in NBA. Won't come back.
Royce White. Still a free agent. There will be no other suitors.

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