Will they trade up? Will they trade down? Will they trade for the future? Will they trade for the present? Or will they pick in their assigned slot?
There are lots of options for the Wizards as they plan for Thursday’s NBA Draft. Tuesday at Verizon Center, Wizards President of Basketball Operations, Ernie Grunfeld, didn’t tip his hand.
“There’s a lot of conversation going on around the league,” said Grunfeld. “There have been a lot of conversations, about moving up, moving back, and even getting out of the draft. Some of these things might be contingent on who’s available.”
The talks, presumably, are over the Wizards’ No. 18 pick. Assuming Washington retains free agent All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison — Grunfeld has constantly maintained that he intends to do so — the Wizards have few pressing needs. That spells flexibility — music to the ears of a veteran dealmaker such as Grunfeld. Here are his options.
TRADE FOR THE PRESENT » In a draft this deep, the No. 18 pick has more value than in other years. Would a team building for the distant future be willing to trade a veteran that the Wizards could use immediately in exchange for a long-range prospect?
TRADE FOR THE FUTURE » If the right player is still on the board and the right team is craving his services, the Wizards could trade their pick for a future first-round choice.
Many such deals are “lottery protected.” Others are not. A shrewd general manager, such as Grunfeld, might be able to pull off a deal that could set up the Wizards to draft a franchise cornerstone in 2009 or later.
“Usually there’s some kind of protection for a pick like that,” said Grunfeld. “But something like that may become available with a team that needs more young players.”
TRADE DOWN » The Wizards could trade the No. 18 pick, perhaps acquire a veteran at a position of need, and still get an intriguing prospect with a later selection. If the Wizards went this route, they would probably seek a veteran role player who could provide immediate presence inside.
TRADE UP » This seems the most unlikely scenario. The Wizards didn’t work out any players who figure to go to lottery teams. To trade up, the Wizards would probably have to give up second-year shooting guard Nick Young, who some believe is poised for a breakthrough season.
Young plus the No. 18 pick could vault Washington into position to pick a player capable of making an immediate contribution and quickly becoming a star.
KEEP THE PICK » If the Wizards aren’t presented with an attractive trade offer, they will have some intriguing prospects from which to choose, especially in the frontcourt. Few players, however, are likely to produce immediate dividends.
“It’s a deep draft, but it’s also an uncertain draft because of the youth,” said Grunfeld. “Most of the players, you’ll have to wait on for a few years and develop.”
