Washington faces crucial decisions this offseason
Signing Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison last summer set the Wizards on course to win now. But in their just completed, injury-riddled 19-63 season, it was clear that the roster had too many young players unable to contribute to the mission.
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So what will Washington do in the offseason? Expect a deal or two, maybe even one involving their first-round choice. If the Wizards can’t get a player who is ready to contribute immediately (Blake Griffin), why take on another long-term project?
Thursday at Verizon Center as players received final evaluations, it was time to wonder who will be back.
They’re back » Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood, Dominic McGuire, Darius Songaila. Assuming all are healthy, this is a solid nucleus — three All-Stars, three solid veterans who play well off the stars, and a valuable frontcourt glue guy. Add muscle and a perimeter defender with 3-point range and the Wizards can think big.
Back by default » Etan Thomas, Mike James. With expiring contracts of $7.3 and $6.5 million per year respectively, their trade value will increase as next season progresses. The only likely way for the Wizards to deal one of them in the offseason would be as part of a package that includes their No. 1 choice.
Could be gone » JaVale McGee, Nick Young. To get value, you have to trade value. How attractive would a package of McGee, the No. 1 choice, and the expiring contract of Thomas be to a team that figures it’s a year away? Would it be enough to fetch the Wizards a difference-maker languishing on a non-contending team? Dealing McGee, a find at No. 18 last summer, would mortgage a chunk of the Wizards future, but could bring a player that would make Washington better immediately.
Young still has a chance to be a star, but probably not on this team. As a player who needs the ball and is a weak defender, Young is a poor complement to Arenas, Butler, and Jamison, unless the Wizards decide to become the Suns of the East. Young has value, however, especially to a team that needs offense. The Wizards would hate to see him blossom somewhere else, but it’s hard to imagine a backcourt of Arenas and Young ever working.
Any takers » Javaris Crittenton, Oleksiy Pecherov, Andray Blatche. As a versatile frontcourt option, Blatche has utility for the 2009-10 Wizards and Crittenton figures to be Arenas’ caddie at the point. But if teams were interested, the Wizards would probably listen if it meant they could get a more consistent rotation player in return.
Already gone » Juan Dixon. It could be the end of the line for the local favorite.
