Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards Free Agency: Pay no attention to Ernie Grunfeld behind the curtain

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, introduces the Washington Wizards new head coach Scott Brooks during a press conference on April 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 - APRIL 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, introduces the Washington Wizards new head coach Scott Brooks during a press conference on April 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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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, introduces the Washington Wizards new head coach Scott Brooks during a press conference on April 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 – APRIL 27: Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Washington Wizards, introduces the Washington Wizards new head coach Scott Brooks during a press conference on April 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) /

On Monday, the Washington Wizards introduced their newest player, Troy Brown, Jr. President Ernie Grunfeld also gave some comments that raised eyebrows. Here’s an analysis of what Grunfeld meant on the State of the Wizards.

The Washington Wizards introduced Troy Brown, Jr. to the press on Monday. I’m excited to see what the young swingman brings to the team next season. There should be games where he sees some minutes.

However, when Ernie Grunfeld discussed what’s needed for the Wizards in free agency, it raised a few eyebrows.

Here’s Candace Buckner’s of the Washington Post  write-up of Grunfeld’s statements:

"“If you look at the overall picture of where we are, I think we are, I think we’re pretty healthy shape as far as our core is concerned. Of course, we need some improvement from everybody but we have a solid, veteran team of young players that have been through it already. These are young players that still have room for growth but they’ve accomplished some things.” “They’ve been to the second round. They’ve been through the wars. Last year losing to Toronto – Otto  didn’t play in Game 6 and he played hurt he previous couple games, trying to do whatever he could and we had leads in the fourth quarter in three out of our four losses. So, we were right there. A play goes this way. A shot goes in. A shot doesn’t go in and that’s basketball. But overall, the way it ended was disappointing for all of us because we expected more. And I think our players are going to use that as motivation and work hard this summer and come back again and give it another shot and see what we can do.”"

As far as our core is concerned

I believe this to be a cloak-and-dagger statement to throw people off guard, on what the Wizards plan to do during free agency. While others believe that the Wizards are going to stand pat. That’s not happening. If the Wizards stand pat, Wall will pack. (I know John Wall‘s under contract).

But I don’t believe the “core” still includes Marcin Gortat.

According to reports, the Wizards want to unload Gortat’s contract.

The statement that Otto Porter, Jr. played hurt a couple of games in the Toronto Series. Porter played hurt a lot of games throughout the season. To start the season he was hot, but as the season wore on, Porter was clearly playing through pain.

Hopefully, Kelly Oubre, Jr., who is a good player, develops consistency this summer. Such that he’s a reliable backup to Porter.

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