Rebuilding the Wizards- Part 1: Trash for Treasure

With a lot of cap room next season, some people are discussing the Wizards offering a max contract to one of the premiere free agents. I think that would be a mistake. Several players who may generate max contracts next season, while top players, are not worth that amount of money. Given the Wizards prior problems and smaller media market, it’s unlikely that say, Dwayne Wade is selecting Washington over Chicago, Miami, or New York. Therefore, the Wizards, if they sign a player to a max contract are likely to sign a player who is not worth it. Given these restrictions, I think the Wizards should take a different approach: Be a contract dumping grounds.

There are several teams who are looking to create cap space for this current crop of free agents. Many of these teams are a contract or two away from being able to offer a max or two max contracts. By taking their draft picks as well as their bad contracts, the Wizards will create a more stable long term talent pool.

Here are some “good” bad contracts, which the Wizards could take.


1. Predraq Stojakovic, 15.3 million, expiring contract
Why we’d take it? Stojakovic can still hit an outside shot. He’s not durable, but he’s not a terrible asset for the team. He’d basically fill the role Mike Miller has this season.
What they’d make the deal? The New Orleans Hornets have 73 million in committed salaries for next season. The luxury tax will be around 65 million, so this gets them under that amount.
Possible Draftees for the Wizards: The Hornets are projected to have the 12 pick in the draft. Players who should be available include Xavier Henry, Donatas Motiejunas, and Patrick Patterson.

2. Andrei Kirelenko- 17.8 million next year, expiring contract
Why we’d take it? The Jazz are in a great position because they have New York’s first round pick this season. A.K-47 is a still a good defender. Alongside Blatanche, he’d give the Wizards great height in the front-court. (6’9’’ AK, 6’11” Blantanche, and 7’0 McGee).
Why they’d make this deal? Clearly this would put the Jazz in a great position to resign Carlos Boozer or perhaps sign Chris Bosh instead. Alternatively, they’d be able to offer a maximum contract to Joe Johnson, and play Millsap at the PF instead of Boozer. Their starting line-up would be Williams-Johnson-Miles-Milsap-Okur. A few crafty signings of aging veterans could net the Jazz a return to the finals for the first time since the days of Malone.
Possible Draftees from this deal for the Wizards: The pick from New York i projected to be the 9th selection. This could give the Wizards such players as Wesley Johnson, Greg Monroe, and Jan Vesely.

3. Erik Dampier 13 million, expiring contract
Why we’d take it? Besides the fact that we seem to really enjoy trading with the Mavs, Dampier is a solid center, but not worth his 13 million contract. The Mavs would need to purchase a first round pick to make it work, however, Mark Cuban likes to spend money. It might make more sense for us to just buy the pick from another team, given the large size of the contract. The other benefit for us would be the trade exception this would generate.
Why they’d make this deal? They’d like to resign Brendan Hayword. Dirk also can opt out this season. They’re also horribly over the luxury tax next season.
Possible Draftees from this deal for the Wizards: Impossible to project since the Mavs would need to purchase the draft pick.

4. Kirk Hinrich, 9 million 2010, 8 million 2011
Why we’d take it? When the Bulls agreed to give the Bucks the right to swap picks, this deal became a lot less enticing. However, Kirk Hinrich still has some game left in him. He’s got good range and court awareness. He also is a dedicated, though declining defender. The problem with his contract is its two year length. However, given the amount of cap space we have, we can afford to a hold a bad contract.
Why’d they make this deal? Chicago is trying to clear enough room to lure Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade to Chicago to play alongside Derrick Rose. This would create a devastating two-some and a top tier team in the East.
Possible Draftees from this deal for the Wizards: Given the swap with the Bucs, this pick will probably be around 18. Based upon draft express, the following players would be available.: Hassan Whiteside, Larry Sanders, James Anderson, and Gordon Hayward. If the Bucks decline to exercise this option, the pick would probably be around 15. This would leave players like Damion James, Xavier Henry, and Stanley Robinson.