Wiz of Awes
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Penny Loafers and Sweatpants: The Ernie Grunfeld Era

By Robert Athmer

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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Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has stayed committed to Ernie Grunfeld despite Washington’s 558-709 record (.440 win-loss percentage) since he joined the front office in 2003.

Little Cox Pavilion was bustling with big names. Miami Heat president Pat Riley was sitting behind the south basket donning a white polo shirt, crisply pleated khaki shorts, and trademark styled hair. Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle was sitting courtside with a contingent of Dallas brass scouting the San Antonio Spurs young talent.

NBA Summer League fans were buzzing as they spotted Hall of Fame center Alonzo Mourning, 2000s big man Jamaal Magloire, and billionaire owner Mark Cuban, all three embracing their celebrity as fans snapped photos, strained for selfies, and landed autographs.

While fans fawned over NBA stars past and present, few noticed an older gentleman in an untucked maroon polo shirt, black sweatpants, and penny loafers (sans socks) as he bypassed the VIP rows and climbed to the top of UNLV’s high school-sized ancillary gym to observe the next game. Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld received no recognition, attention, or love.

As a final buzzer sounded, San Antonio and Portland Trail Blazers coaches exchanged pleasantries, players planned their Vegas nights, and fans proceeded to relocate to the Thomas & Mack Center to watch Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics.

The Wizards were up next in Cox Pavilion, but with no draft picks that June, Washington rolled out undrafted rookies Kris Jenkins, Ian Baker, Michael Young, Jalen Ross, and Marcus Keene.

All-Star point guard John Wall lounged courtside, too distracted by friend and bodyguard (and now Wizards employee) David Best to pay any attention to the hodgepodge of underwhelming talent on the court immediately in front of him. It was clear that no player running for the Wizards that July 2017 afternoon was part of Washington’s long-term plans.

Playing the game was simply a formality–an NBA obligation. Grunfeld couldn’t roll out and develop exciting first or second-round talent because he had none. And he had no money.

Exactly one year earlier, Grunfeld traded a second round pick for Trey Burke, signed traditional center Ian Mahinmi to a four-year, $64 million contract, welcomed non-stretch power forward Andrew Nicholson to D.C. for four years at $26 million, and valued another traditional center, Jason Smith, for three years at $16 million. Forget the money involved: These were long-term contracts for old NBA talent. The game passed Grunfeld by years ago. This wasn’t 1999.

Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards Ian Mahinmi (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The summer of 2016 would epitomize the directionless vision of the Washington Wizards, spearheaded by the older gentleman in penny loafers and sweatpants.

Grunfeld mortgaged D.C.’s future for expensive veteran free agents, destroying future financial freedom and flexibility. See 2019, three years later.

While the rest of the NBA has evolved via smarter, progressively more creative, and often younger general managers such as Sean Marks (Brooklyn Nets), Sam Presti (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Bob Myers (Golden State Warriors), Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has stayed firmly committed to Grunfeld despite Washington’s 558-709 record (.440 win-loss percentage) since he joined the front office in 2003.

Grunfeld’s tenure is defined by his impulse to trade first and second-round draft picks to patch poor planning and prior mistakes. Trading picks has yielded Randy Foye, Mike Miller, Marcin Gortat, Andre Miller, Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Tim Frazier. None currently play for the Wizards. None won 50 games with the Wizards. None reached the Eastern Conference Finals with the Wizards.

Only Riley, Gregg Popovich, and Danny Ainge have been in charge of personnel decisions longer. The Heat, Spurs, and Celtics have raised championship banners during their prolific tenures. The Wizards have stitched one Southeast Division title on a random banner hanging somewhere in Capital One Arena.

Leonsis’ marriage to Grunfeld is perplexing. Leonsis moved on from his long-time Washington Capitals general manager, George McPhee, after 17 years, firing him and winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup with Brian McClellan just four seasons later. One would think this personal experience would spur a change on the NBA side of Leonsis’ operation, but he continues to stand by his man.

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It’s time to graduate from untucked polos, sweatpants, and penny loafers and let another general manager build a youthful, exciting team with something to prove at Summer League and beyond. Anything else is inexcusable.

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