Chase Hughes's Washington Wizards fan blog

The last week has been quite interesting in that an influx of trade rumors and draft scenarios have flooded the Washington Wizards internet community.  Michael Lee of The Washington Post has reported rumors of trades involving the Wizards’ 5th pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers (gag), and the New York Knicks.  While nothing really seems to be of substance, as www.bulletsforever.com has acknowledged, they are impossible to ignore.  Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Javale McGee are some of the notables that many teams, as many as 14, have expressed interest in.  As we approach the draft, the fans’ opinions seem to be forming an almost consensus for Davidson guard Stephen Curry.  The Washington Post conducted a poll that resulted in nearly half the votes garnered by Southern Conference product.  DraftExpress.com now has the Wizards slotted for Jordan Hill with the 5th selection while both SI.com and ESPN.com are predicting James Harden.  What do the Wizards need?  And should they draft for need or get the best player?  Both possibilities, in my opinion, may indeed overlap.  
I believe the most glaring need for the Washington Wizards is at the guard position.  The Wizards have addressed the frontcourt pretty aggressively in recent years with the draft of McGee, Pecherov, and grooming of Andray Blatche.  What appears to have happened is a negligence of the need for a guard, evident in the acceptance of Roger Mason, Jr.’s departure.  Right now as the roster stands the Wizards possess a superstar in Gilbert Arenas but no significant contributor behind him.  Stevenson could very well be done as the only thing he can do these days is talk trash.  Even at his best he would be most effective coming off the bench.  His occasional 3-point hot streak and solid defensive play would be a nice commodity in a reserved role.  Nick Young is on the verge of being a solid 2 guard but an upgrade is certainly possible given the team’s draft situation.  He might be at the point in his career when a little competition wouldn’t hurt.  Mike Jones might not be a Wizard for long but I believe he could give quality minutes in a reserved role.  He is not good enough to be the back-up point guard any more.  I could see his best-case-scenario being reduced to the role of an Anthony Johnson, not the primary back-up but a solid third option for sporadic minutes.  I like Jarvaris Crittenton a lot, he is around 6’5” with good speed and a nice work ethic.  With the overstock of combo guards in this draft the Wizards may be able to pick a player that would still allow Crit room to develop as a role player.  You have to like his prospects with his size and athleticism, he is just a classic case of a player who entered the pro’s too early, only he has a chance to actually make it in the Association.  


Continue reading "Washington Wizards Best Options for Thursday's NBA Draft"

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/workouts_090616.html

This link has a photo gallery of several NBA prospects including Johnny Flynn (Syracuse), Brandon Jennings (Italy), Stephen Curry (Davidson), and Brandon Costner (N.C. State).  There is also a video which is great, I wish I could have been there.  Curry is dropping everything and Brandon Jennings looks real nice running point. 

Continue reading "Washington Wizards Work Out Stephen Curry, Johnny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, and Others (Video)"

Sports Illustrated has reported a possible trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards involving Antawn Jamison and Mike James.  It was originally brought up by DraftExpress and it would land the Wizards Ben Wallace, who may retire, and Sasha Pavlovic who is under a "non-guaranteed contract for next season."  And what I am assumng is a joke, they said the Wizards may possibly have to surrender the 5th pick.  A deal involving those players in return would make sense financially but the Wizards need to get some value for a player as good and consistent as Antawn Jamison.  If the mindset is win now, Antawn's 20 and 10 production would need to be replaced, and quickly.  I could see this deal if they were bringing in Blake Griffin but acquiring a replacement power forward is just unrealistic at this point.  Also, it would be interesting to see Ben Wallace's opinion on returning to the Wizards.  I am not sure of how his departure went but I know his teamate on the Detriot Pistons, Richard Hamilton, did not enjoy his stay. 

Continue reading "Sports Illustrated Reports Cavs-Wizards Trade Scenario"

The Washington Post’s Michael Lee reported yesterday that the Wizards are “possibly leaning toward Davidson point guard Stephen Curry.”  It is now a rumor that the Washington Wizards are intrigued by the scoring phenom whom many teams have expressed interest in, including the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats.  Stephen Curry was originally projected outside the top five, closer to the tenth pick.  If it is true that Ernie Grunfeld is interested then the Wizards may be looking to draft more for need than just going with the best player available.  This assertion contradicts Grunfeld’s statements last month about picking the best player still on the board.  This could also mean that the Wizards are indeed looking to trade back in the draft, possibly around the mid-to-late lottery or even later.  This is a theory fueled by Michael Lee of The Washington Post who reported that the Wizards were working out Louisville’s Terrence Williams today. 

Continue reading "Washington Wizards Possibly Interested in Stephen Curry for 5th Pick"

According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Wizards are in preliminary talks to discuss a trade with the team holding the no. 3 choice in the NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder.  It is said that Ricky Rubio's agent is somewhat driving a potential deal because his client would prefer not to play in Memphis or Oklahoma City.  It is the same agent as Yi Jianlin with the same desire, for the player to play in a larger market.  They see Washington and Sacramento as having fanbases more suitable for Rubio who is, I am assuming, looking for a latino population to attract to his games.  Fair enough, if this means the Wizards could get Rubio I am for it.  It is said that we would have to give up Javale McGee and our no. 5 pick but that may be worth it for Rubio.  I think Grunfeld is taking a chance on this because he really wanted Griffin or Rubio, the two players who are most likely to be All-Stars in the NBA.  I think ideally we would get a player that can contribute and for cheap on a rookie contract.  If this doesn't work out, many, including those at ESPN, think that Grunfeld will trade the choice for a veteran and/or cap relief.

Continue reading "Wizards May Trade to Pick Rubio"

After all of the anticipation had mounted it was a surprising revelation to hear the Washington Wizards envelope be the fifth pick, the worst possible pick for the team to receive.  It instantly shattered to hopes for Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio and started what will surely be a hectic guessing game for the next month.  Where do journalists start in predicting what the Wizards will do?  This draft class becomes increasingly hard to decipher after the second pick. 
Ricky Rubio is not a lock to go to Memphis but it is possible.  If they pass on the Spaniard it is unlikely Oklahoma City will select him to share minutes with Russell Westbrook.  Chad Ford’s first mock draft on ESPN argues that it is possible.  However, it seems impossible he will slip past Sacramento at four.  This morning Doug Gottlieb of ESPN predicted the top 7, here is what he said for the Wizards:

Continue reading "Washington Wizards Get 5th Pick in NBA Draft Lottery"

As the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery Looms…

As we near the 2009 Draft Lottery it is time for the Washington Wizards community to get serious about the future of the franchise.  There is an evident window of opportunity for the current squad, made clear by the hiring of Flip Saunders and the extension of Antawn Jamison.  It is Ernie Grunfeld’s belief that the Wizards are one piece away from making a deep run in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  One thing is clear, the Wizards need to add a player that can consistently contribute right away.  They don’t need another project big man or an offensive-minded guard who needs a few years to learn how to play defense, and they want to get something significant for the value that beholds a top five pick. 

Continue reading "As the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery Looms..."