Washington Wizards: David Aldridge breaks down Ernie Grunfeld’s Tenure

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 07: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Verizon Center on May 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Could be a contender?

Aldridge doesn’t see how Washington can become a “true contender” before 2020 with Wall’s contract extension about to kick in after next season.

Aldridge’s suggestion:

"“Stretch Mahinmi this summer and spread his remaining $31 million across the next five years, reducing his cap hit to just less than $6.3 million per year through 2023. If Washington did that it could be in position to be a significant player in free agency in 2019 while also having space to extend Kelly Oubre and/or Tomas Satoransky. Otherwise, it would be 2020 before the Wizards could make a move. With the extension Leonsis is giving Grunfeld a final chance to finish the job. It is Grunfeld’s third shot at remaking the franchise. There should not be a fourth. In most cities, there would not have been a second.”"

Ok, Mr. Aldridge is an expert on all things related to basketball. That is an excellent solution.

Wizards hold until free agency 2019 is the long game

After learning from Mr. Aldridge, that makes sense to conserve now to make a big move in 2019.

Could Merlin still work his magic this summer and get either/both Mahinmi and Marcin Gortat off the books? So the Wizards could pick up a better center.

That’s what has perplexed me all season, who would pick up Mahinmi’s contract? But Mr. Aldridge solves that problem if no one does.

In the meantime, Merlin may be able to pull another trick out of that hat.

If the Wizards can get a dominant center this summer, they would have the tools to at least make it to the ECF next season.

Granted they don’t pull the same mistakes from last season.

A new starting center and a backup shooting guard should be at the top of the Wizards wish list. Merlin might just be able to make that happen.

I started off with Paul Newman’s Cool Hand Luke, “what we’ve got here is a failure to communicate” to Wizards fans on Grunfeld’s extension.

While transitioning over to Marlon Brando’s On the Waterfront, the Wizards “coulda been a contender”. They still can be.

Eyeing the pieces on the chessboard, Mr. Grunfeld, your move.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Mr. Aldridge for the insight. For those who want to read his excellent one-on-one interview with Wes Unseld, you can find it here.