Wiz of Awes
Fansided

The Financial Wizardry of Grunfeld in 2018 NBA Draft

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, announces the new contract of Bradley Beal during a press conference on July 27, 2016 at Verizon Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, announces the new contract of Bradley Beal during a press conference on July 27, 2016 at Verizon Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 30: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 30: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Wizards are thinking big, to get a big

In this fast changing landscape, players once thought untouchable, have become available. Therefore, Washington is not limiting themselves in how they’re playing their hand.

However, Nerlens Noel comes to mind. I am not going to suggest DeAndre Jordan.

I’m also not going to write again about Dwight Howard, the readers have let me know loud and clear about that option. But I advocated for Howard before the 2017-18 season started, and during the trade deadline.

Clint Capella is restricted and his stock has gone up considerably.

But DeMarcus Cousins may be available. However, as I’ve written before, getting Cousins would require more than a few contracts off the books.

I’m not concerned about Cousins’ rehab, because everyone is different. Again, I don’t know if Washington has any of these players on their radar, or all of them.

But if the word is out to the league, as Standig writes, that the Wizards are willing to make this type of deal, I’m on standby to help with any dealings.

If I’m in the backroom, I would probably call Ted Leonsis and say, “the good news is we got Cousins. The bad news is they got Wall, Beal and Porter.”

All jokes aside, I would not say that, unless I said, the “good news is we got LeBron.”

However, pragmatism should be our guide.

If the Wizards could pick up a solid center that would do damage in the paint, and possibly help out on the perimeter, then this is an excellent idea.

The road to their conference finals leads right down the middle.

Therefore, before we pass judgment on Grunfeld’s judgment, let’s watch this unfold on Thursday.

The Wizards are either going to go big or go home. But I have a feeling that Wall doesn’t want to go home early again next season. And neither do you.

The Wizards may get a diamond in the rough, who’s ready to rough up the middle from Day 1.

I believe it’s an excellent idea to trade down from the 15th and move salary off the books. The Wizards have to think big, to get a big.

Editor’s note: Robert Williams of Texas A&M had a solo pre-draft workout with the Wizards on Monday. Matt Levin, last week wrote about the center as being a good target for Washington.

I did some digging. I don’t know what time Standig published his article on Monday. Was it before or after Williams’ workout?

In other words, did the Wizards put the word out that they’ll trade the 15th position before or after? This is one of the reasons, I don’t write about “sources”.

I’m taking Williams out of the equation. Because the Wizards could reason that he may not still be available at 15. Plus, it’s unfair to him.

Therefore, I’ll take it at face value that the Standig article was written independent of Williams’ workout.

Update: Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Williams worked out with the Clippers on Tuesday, and met with owner Steve Ballmer. Clippers have the 12th and 13th picks.

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