Tight-lipped Ernie Grunfeld finally revealed the Wizards’ draft day plans, allowing two players he would definitely take. That is, if Greg Oden or Kevin Durant somehow slip 15 spots and into their laps.
“If they get to us, we’ll take them,” Grunfeld said, jokingly.
And then he returned to his ever-secretive ways. The Wizards may or may not trade their first pick, the 16th overall, or even their second-round pick (47th), for a veteran. They’ll take the best player available, regardless of size or need. They’re not expecting an immediate impact.
The usual pre-draft stuff.
“It would be hard for a young player to break into the lineup and get consistent minutes,” he said. “We’ve had talks about moving up and possibly moving back, like every other team in the league. But we’re comfortable keeping the pick and if that happens we’ll have the ability to take a solid player who has a good future.”
Just don’t try and figure out who might be available. A number of names have been projected as going to the Wizards, from Georgia Tech’s Thaddeus Young to Colorado State’s Jason Smith and Kansas’ Julian Wright.
Washington’s needs are varied. The Wizards need a backup point guard and frontcourt depth. They could also use a combination guard or forward, considering they could lose Jarvis Hayes to free agency.
“I feel good about the roster we have,” he said. “People sometimes forget that at the All-Star Game we had the best record in the East. … We’re very close to being able to compete with anyone.”
Last year’s first-round pick, Oleksiy Pecherov, is expected to be a part of the rotation this season. And their 2005 second-round pick Andray Blatche, if he doesn’t leave as a restricted free agent, should be as well.
“If they were in the draft this year, they’d both be top-10 picks,” Grunfeld said.
Net worth
» The NBA’s salary cap for 2007 will be announced on July 1. Teams can’t start signing free agents until July 10. Washington has six unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents.
» The Wizards gave Ernie Grunfeld a new title Tuesday. He’s now the President of the Wizards, directing the basketball fortunes of the company. He’ll still represent the team at the NBA’s Board of Governors.
» Grunfeld said the organization would address the status of the assistant coaches after the draft. All are in the last month of their original three-year deals.
