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Washington Wizards: Welcome Tim Frazier

By Jen Julie Smith

Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) guards New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Pelicans won 115-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) guards New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Pelicans won 115-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards’ General Manager Ernie Grunfeld, in a boss move, did an excellent job with Washington’s 52nd pick. On Wednesday, Grunfeld traded Washington’s pick in exchange for the Pelicans’ backup point guard, Tim Frazier.

Also on Wednesday, the Wizards announced that they bought a G-League team, which will play in a new practice facility in Southeast Washington in the 2018 season. I personally think that the new team should be called the Washington Warlords. I am very excited to watch these new and upcoming players, and I hope to write about them.

Back to Tim Frazier, Grunfeld deserves a lot of credit for being able to garner a solid NBA player with a 52nd pick, which was an amazing feat. It appears that Grunfeld is going toe-to-toe and pound-for-pound with all the top teams in the league this draft season.

David Aldridge reported Wednesday night, that Washington wasn’t finished yet, because the Wizards are also looking for a high second pick in Thursday’s draft.

As I wrote last week, Washington was in desperate need of a backup point guard for John Wall. Someone who could lead the second unit to start the second quarter, while not losing any momentum that Washington had built up. This was a problem that plagued the team last season, because once Wall sat down, the scoreboard went down as well.

Another problem was that Wall, who was among the players with the most minutes played throughout the league, didn’t get much rest if any during a game.

As a solid backup, Washington is hoping that Frazier can accomplish both objectives – allow Wall to have fresh legs to close out games, while continuing to advance the team’s production on both ends of the court.

So what do we know about the incoming Frazier, who will be John Wall’s backup?

Frazier is only 26, and as everyone knows Coach Brooks likes to develop young players.

Frazier spent 5 seasons at Pennsylvania State earning 2 bachelors’ degrees. The first in supply chain and information systems in May 2013, and the second in communications in May 2014.

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Frazier went undrafted and tried out for a couple of teams, including the Wizards. In September 2014, the Celtics signed Frazier to their training camp, where he only played 4 preseason games, before he was waived and sent to the D-League’s Maine Red Claws.

While on the Red Claws, he was named to the 2015 D-League All-Star Game. In February 2015, Frazier landed with the Sixers on a 10-day contract.

His first game was against the Celtics, and although the Sixers lost, Frazier had 11 assists.

After his 10-day stint with the Sixers, Frazier again returned to the Red Claws, where he earned his 4th triple-double, and was later named Rookie of the Year and D-League MVP.

In March 2015, he was acquired by the Portland Trailblazers, but was later returned to the Red Claws in February 2016.

On March 2016, Frazier was picked up again on another 10-day contract, but this time with the New Orleans Pelicans. On his first night, he almost recorded a double – double, 14 points and 9 assists, with the Pelicans beating the Sacramento Kings.

He signed with the Pelicans, where he put up impressive numbers, including a career-high 21 points.

What is most impressive about Frazier is that he also started 35 games for the Pelicans last season, while Jrue Holiday was either injured or on family leave, and late in the season alongside Holiday.

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Starting in place of Holiday in the Pelican’s first 10 games last season, he averaged 11.5 points and 8.1 assists. Even after Holiday returned to the lineup, Frazier still had quality minutes, averaging 23.5 minutes on the floor.

And according to the Pelicans, in his 81 games in his tenure there, Frazier “averaged 8.3 points, 5.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 24.6 minutes per contest.”

Frazier’s assist ratio is something that all Wizards’ fans should love, because like Wall, he’s a pass first point guard. The second I looked at Frazier’s assist numbers, I thought Washington may have something here.

I believe that Washington may be the right team for Frazier to reach the next level, under the tutelage of Wall and Brooks. He could also get his field goal percentage up, because one thing Wall is very good at is making his teammates better.

I love what Grunfeld did here. He didn’t go for sexy, but looked for someone who didn’t just play backup, but also could play starter minutes if needed.

I had no idea that the Wizards were quietly playing chess. And with this move, Mr. Grunfeld has become the master of the game, adeptly moving chess pieces.

Make no doubt, there are more games to be played. But, with the addition of Tim Frazier, the pieces on the Wizards chessboard are advancing nicely towards the Eastern Conference Finals.

Next: Washington Wizards: A Who's Who of Death Row DC

Welcome Mr. Frazier. Washington sees big things for you, just as you see big things for Washington.

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