Wiz of Awes
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 22: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  APRIL 22: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Did you think that I was going to write that Otto Porter will get traded during free agency? The Wizards need Porter. But Porter also needs to ask for the ball, when he’s hot.

Grunfeld–“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”.

Toronto Series

It wasn’t just Porter’s injury. They also lost to Toronto because the Wizards didn’t have a backup shooting guard for Bradley Beal. The first two games, Beal was tired. Yes, it’s the NBA and yes, one is expected to play all 82 games.

But the Wizards aren’t built like the Celtics where every player carries their weight.

Beal carried extra weight when Wall was out. When Beal’s grabbing offensive rebounds, then there’s a problem in the middle.

Please retire “everybody eats“. Yes, everybody ate. But then their bellies were full, that they were no longer hungry during the playoffs. The Wizards got complacent.

Free agency isn’t free

The Wizards have to get an “athletic big”. That shouldn’t be their only priority during free agency. But after they get their big, they need a backup shooting guard.

According to David Aldridge, Donte DiVincenzo (who I picked in Fansided’s mock draft) wasn’t on the Wizards’ radar during the draft:

"“I’m pretty sure the Wizards wanted Jerome Robinson from Boston College, Sam. But he went two picks ahead of them, to the LA Clippers. Washington, as I reported Thursday, would not have taken Michael Porter, Jr,, even if he hadn’t gone to Denver at 14. And, I’m told, they weren’t inclined for different reasons to take either Williams or Walker. They could have gone for Donte DiVincenzo or Kevin Huerter there, but they liked the size and smarts of Brown more. The issue more for me with Brown is the timeline — how long will it take for him to become a contributor, with John Wall and Bradley Beal in their prime? But I do think he will be one in time.”"

For those who may be worried about the salary cap. A little good news out the league. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the credit line for teams has been extended:

"“The NBA has raised the debt limit of owners to $325 million, a $75 million increase that could soften the impact of anticipated higher team payrolls and luxury taxes next season, league sources told ESPN.”"

Does that mean that the Wizards could get both a big and shooting guard? Not clear, but what is clear is that the hard cap just got a little softer.

The Wizards did not make a splash in the draft. That is not to diminish Brown, Jr., because everyone wants him to have a bright future.

Rather, Washington appears to be holding their cards close to the vest. Maybe we’re all pawns in Ernie Grunfeld’s game. But I believe Grunfeld is going to checkmate in free agency.

There’s no way with all the criticism and falling short this season, that the Wizards aren’t going to surprise everyone.

Home/Wizards Free Agency