With the news coming out of the NBA labor negotiations on Tuesday, here’s what we’re going to do: avoid using the words “good” or “positive” or anything of that form to describe what’s going on, just in case it all blows up again on Wednesday. Here’s what it is, though: It’s something.
In fact, just read this update from ChrisSheridanHoops.com, which includes this passage:
Sure sounds like something positive good to focus on.
And with that in mind, let’s take a flying leap and think for a brief moment what the Wizards might look like whenever the season does get underway. A story on Grantland.com also caught my eye this evening, a discussion of what single player could get waived and have his contract paid off without an impact on the salary cap.
The answer, in the Wizards’ case, is obvious, isn’t it? Or is it?
Yes, the Wizards owe Rashard Lewis $43.8 million over the next two seasons. It’s a no-brainer, really, even if the guaranteed portion of Lewis’ contract is much less.
But, and this is pure speculation, what if Andray Blatche’s right shoulder isn’t ready? What if Blatche is not ready? Every summer since he was drafted has been the big summer when Blatche was going to turn the corner and become the player he’s always had the potential to be. The Wizards may owe him only (and I use that word in its loosest sense) $29.8 million. But he’s also under contract for four years. If he’s still a work in progress this season, he’s going to be a work in progress for the rest of his career. Waiving him would leave a hole at power forward – assuming Lewis doesn’t completely transform his game – but it would send a message that whatever the locker room was like before the lockout, that era is over for good.
Just something worth pondering, especially with the faintest glimpse of something positive from the lockout talks.
