Wiz search for help down low
By: John Keim and Craig Stouffer
Washington Examiner
06/30/09 7:52 PM EDT
The Wizards need a big man. Free agency offers a couple choices. But will that make for a match? It's debatable. Even though Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said there's no mandate to avoid the luxury tax, one NBA source said, "I don't think they will go over."
But if they do -- and they're already committed to $75.8 million, which, if they enter the season at that mark, they might have to pay the tax -- they need to find more help inside. Aside from Brendan Haywood, the Wiz lack any real playoff experience or consistency.
Antonio McDyess would help; he's a good shooter, tough defender and rebounder. He wants to go to a contender, but he'll likely have better options than Washington, which has a mid-level exemption available ($5.6 million) and a veteran minimum (around $1.1 million).
Forget Rasheed Wallace; he and coach Flip Saunders reportedly clashed while both were in Detroit.
Zaza Pachulia, Shelden Williams and Marcin Gortat are other possibilities.
"Orlando feels he's a 20-minute player at best, but I really, really like him," said the NBA source about Gortat. "He'd be a good addition and wouldn't cost too much."
The Wizards also have a biannual exception ($1.99 million) and could find a lower-level big man.
Another option is to trade some guards, but will a team be willing to take on Mike James and his $6.46 million contract -- even if they include Nick Young in the deal?
The Wizards are an improved team. They still need more. The question is: What are they willing to pay?
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