Washington Post: Wizards adding to core, not subtracting from it

by Tommy Dee on June 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Good stuff from Michael Lee of The Washington Post.

“…The latest rumor has the New York Knicks interested in moving up to No. 5 in order to take one of the many players they reportedly covet — Stephen Curry, Jordan Hill or Jrue Holiday. According to NBAdraft.net, the Knicks have offered guard Wilson Chandler as part of a package to move up. The report also states that the Knicks might be able to add the No. 5 pick without sacrificing the eight pick, which I find a bit implausible. Chandler is a decent player — the 6-foot-8, soon-to-be third year swingman averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in Mike D’Antoni’s high octane offense last year — but no way is he worth the fifth pick straight up. Especially not after recently having surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle…

…I can easily see the Wizards moving down in this draft, since, based on conversations that I’ve had with people around the league, there really isn’t much separation from the players in that four through 10 range. It really comes down to how desperate a team is to get that one player it desires. I spoke with a player agent who told me that from his conversations with league executives, there will be enough trades this Thursday to blow away any wild draft day in recent memory — including 2006, when there were 15 trades on draft night. The wackiest night belonged to Foye, who pulled off a draft night hat trick as he was drafted by Boston, traded to Portland then traded to Minnesota.

I can also tell you that unless he is totally blown away, Ernie Grunfeld does not plan on trading any of his Big Three (Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler or Antawn Jamison) in any deal. His hope is to use the fifth pick as his primary asset in any deal, not the pick and one of his top three players. The goal is to add to the Wizards core, not subtract from it…”

First off, I challenge Smith’s take on Chandler. He’s clearly not that familiar with him by calling him “decent.”  Oleksiy Pecherov,  Darius Songaila, and Andray Blatche are “decent.” It bothers me when opposing  writers say things about a player when they aren’t real familiar with their game.

Chandler is a coach’s dream, and the Wiz, or any organization, would want the total package that Will brings. And to say 5-for-Chandler is hard to believe is inaccurate in my opinion. Had Chandler stayed in school he would be a top 10 pick in this draft, and he’s already established. So it would be pretty even in that sense. But I wouldn’t expect Ernie Grunfeld to do the Knicks any favors.
  • Mucha

    Wilson Chandler and Mobley’s contract for the #5 pick and Ethan Thomas would be a fair deal. That would allow us to draft Stephen Curry, Ricky Rubio or Tyreke Evans at #5 and replace Chandler with DeRozan at #8. Wow.

    But I wouldn’t ship Chandler to trade up (unless Donnie Walsh plans to sign-and-trade David Lee for Rudy Gay – based on a mutual agreement). Well maybe I would, but not right now.

    Anyways that was an nbadraft.net rumor and they are not a reliable source in my opinion.

  • Knicks4lyfe8

    if you dont take chandler for the 5th pick, than i dont know how you got into this league.
    Hes such a well balanced player that can gaurd the opponents best player. (sometimes (kobes 61)) and can score.

    if we get the 5 and the 8

    Im saying, Curry and Derozan.

    that is a real balanced back court.

    Three point shooting and high IQ in curry + mid range game and crazy athleticism and solid defender. Derozan can fill chandler’s shoes.

  • KBT1615

    Is Rudy Gay Available?

  • The_Guy

    I’m not feeling DeMarr DeRozan. He had exactly 1 good month last year. He couldn’t make a 3 pter to save his life, and doesn’t seem to posess a killer instinct. The Knicks need guys with some toughness about them.

    Guys who can handle playing in NYC, and produce under the bright lights.

    For me, those guys are Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans, Jordan Hill, Brandon Jennings, and T Will. I think DeRozan is gonna slide on draft night, and has the highest potential of anyone not named B.J. Mullens to be a bust. He looks like the 2nd coming of Gerald Green..

    At 8 I want a guy with some moxie, and some fire in his belly, and DeRozan doesn’t fit that description.

  • slambam

    Yeah I agree i’m not so hot on DeRozan, and would rather have a similar (yet older) player in Terrence Williams. TWill would be a better fit IMO. ONLY if we trade Chandler though

  • Mucha

    The real question is, would they trade Rudy Gay to aquire David Lee?

    I think they want OJ Mayo to be the alpha dog and I heard rumors about Gay being unhappy in Memphis. Maybe they weren’t true though.

    The Grizzlies wanted to trade the 5th pick (their future franchise player) for David Lee last year. If Rudy Gay’s a frustrated second option next year, why wouldn’t they trade him for Lee if he follows the money?

    I’m not saying that Gay’s available but it is plausible.

  • KBT1615

    O OK I know what you mean. If we can trade Chandler for the 5 pick and have plans to trade Lee for Rudy Im happy.
    What are we going to do for center and pf though? C Vill? and draft Jordan Hill.

  • Knicks4lyfe8

    im saying get Jordan hill at the 8 and pick up bj mullins in the secound round.
    or sign marcin gortat.

  • KBT1615

    I keep forgetting about Gortat.

  • http://katemaz.explicitblogs.com/2009/06/21/washington-wizards-on-the-web/ Thoughts of Kate » Blog Archive » ‘washington wizards ‘ on the web

    [...] http://www.theknicksblog.com/2009/06/21/washington-post-wizards-adding-to-core-not-subtracting-from-…I can easily see the Wizards moving down in this draft, since, based on conversations that I’ve had with people around the league, there really isn’t much separation from the players in that four through 10 range. … [...]

  • bob go knicks

    to TOMMY(i dont know if it applies) and all the KNICKS junkies out there,HAPPY FATHERS DAY!…….now back to the knicks…tommy,you act way too much like a KNICKS fan and not an unbiased reporter,anyone who isnt a knicks fan(and also apparently me) realizes that WILSON CHANDLER is just a “GOOD”player,not a budding superstar,also most hoops fans realize that D’ANTONIS system is inflating CHANDLERS “modest” stats.are there any KNICKERBOCKER fans out there who dont think that WISON CHANDLER is the next coming of SCOTTIE PIPPEN?.i say trade this guy before everyone finds out how average his really is.!

  • http://kithiggins.explicitblogs.com/2009/06/21/quick-scan-of-the-net-washington-wizards/ Weaving My Imagination » Blog Archive » Quick scan of the net – washington wizards

    [...] http://www.theknicksblog.com/2009/06/21/washington-post-wizards-adding-to-core-not-subtracting-from-…I can easily see the Wizards moving down in this draft, since, based on conversations that I’ve had with people around the league, there really isn’t much separation from the players in that four through 10 range. … [...]

  • Chris Alvino

    If you plucked Chandler out of the NBA and threw him into the draft again, he would be taken ahead of any other SF, including DeMar Derozan. Wil is a player that can score 15 ppg and grab 5 rpg, like he did last year. Tommy is dead on with that. The other writer is not using his head on that one.

    The problem with the draft is that you build up expectations about a certain pick based on where he is drafted, not necessarily always on the player. For example, Memphis might value their #2 overall pick as a normal #2 pick, but in reality, that #2 pick might turn out to be a decent NBA player. Chandler, who is 22 and is younger than a bunch of NBA first rounders this year, is becoming an established NBA player. If the Knicks did not have other big time needs, such as a center and starting caliber guards at both spots, I would dismiss any thought of trading Chandler for a pick. Honestly, while I would do it to get Rubio, there are not many other players (Griffin I would trade him for too) that I would consider dealing Chandler for. Curry… maybe. Hill…. eh… maybe. Evans… maybe.

    Any of those three can be a better NBA player than Wil, but there is no denying what Wil is already capable of. If he gets a consistent three point shot, he will be towards the top of the SF class. He is a well rounded player that is good even while being inconsistent. Imagine Will with more consistency.

  • Chris Alvino

    No one is saying he is the next coming of Scottie Pippen. Who in the league is? The point is that he is a good (not decent) NBA player right now. D’Antoni’s system or not, Wil is a good player.

  • Magik_Trick

    The Wizards are actually a good team, just need to solidify a few pieces to get back to the playoffs, and Wilson could definitely be one of those pieces, i’d hate to see him go though..

    but 5 & 8 should be Stephen Curry and Terrence Williams/Gerald Henderson who both remind me of ill will, in terms of what they bring to the table.

    DeRozan…the fact that hes only been working out by himself makes me feel that hes really hiding from competition, and not necessarily T-Will, Harden, and Evans, but Thornton, Meeks, and Ellington..knowing those guys can shoot better than him it could make his stock drop, and he knows it

  • CircleLimit4

    I think it’s a consensus that if we were to trade Chandler for the 5th pick, we would not be giving up the 8th. But this writer seems pretty sure that the Wiz are looking for a later pick in return.

    So I ask. Would you do Chandler and the 8th pick for the 5th pick plus Blatche or McGee?

  • KBT1615

    who said superstar I said All Star like you know the team. Tayshaun Prince was an all star and he ain’t no lebron just a really good player.

  • bob go knicks

    CHRIS,do you really think that WILSON CHANDLER would be a good player on a NON-D’antoni coached team?your idea of what is “GOOD” means you think that the KNICKS starting 5 is “GOOD”(based on the fact that the other starting 4 are better or as good as CHANDLER)and a team ending up with the 8th pick in the draft ,is well, just not that”GOOD”do you think CHANDLER is as good as TRAVOR ARIZA?…..i dont

  • KBT1615

    I would do 8th and Ill Will for 5th and Heywood.

  • slambam

    Wilson Chandler is still SO young, that even though his numbers were inflated by MD’s offense, it’s still really impressive and promising. Chandler is an athletic freak, and his main problem is that he lacks consistency. He has SO much potential which you are completely undervaluing, and i’m not saying he will be an all-star or a superstar, but he has the potential to become one, and the fact that he is already established makes him more valuable than a high draft pick (not top 3 but top 5), especially in a draft that is considered very weak. TONS of players selected in the high lottery don’t even become average, and the fact that Wilson is already a solid player is very valuable to our future plans and he has SO much room to improve. I’m not being bias, it’s just a fact that he has tons of potential.

  • Magik_Trick

    I wouldnt trade Wilson to move up 3 spots, maybe 4 or 5 spots up, but not 3…

  • Chris Alvino

    Right……

    And yes I am saying that Wilson wolud be a good player on a non-D’Antoni team. He was a second year player that started on our team. he is a 35 mpg player, which is something that is very underrated. Some players do not have the ability to play at a high level for that long on a consistent basis. Wilson would start on Washington, that is for sure.

  • Jon

    does anyone know what time you have to get there on thursday to get tickets? … i heard the box office opens at 11am i believe but was wondering how early you had to get there to wait on line … 8 am?

  • The_Guy

    @ Jon – 2 years ago I got there @ 930am and waited on line, which started at the steps near the boxoffice @ MSG to around the corner where I was, and by the time 11am came around, I made it halfway there before being told it was sold out.

    Last year I got there @ 830am thinking I was more than early, and I got a little farther than the year before, but same result.

    Apparently people get there around 6-7am and camp out for 5 hrs to buy 4 tix age and then scalp them. Last year as soon as they announced it was sold out, scalpers were out there selling tix for $40-$50 each.

  • The_Guy

    I meant to write, 4 tix EACH, not age! MSG really needs to put the draft back @ the Garden, as opposed to the WAMU Theater. It’s ridiculous how the real fans aren’t able to attend because the scalpers are grabbing up all the tix to sell them for a profit.

  • Chris Alvino

    You’re right.

  • slambam

    I’m agreeing with you and disagreeing with “bob go knicks.” Wilson is a stud and i might trade him to move up to 2 but probably wouldn’t trade him for the 5th (unless Rubio was there)

  • italian stallion

    It’s amazing how the opinion of Chandler varies so greatly. I see it many blogs and message boards. I guess the same is true of Lee to some extent.

  • Funk

    I would be very disappointed if we took Derozan with any pick in this draft before 15. I hate reading that he has great athleticism. Can somebody please prove to me that he is a freak athlete. I would love to see facts to back it up. Chase Budinger is just as athletic as Derozan, and is a much better shooter. He tested similar in practically every category in the combine. Would you use the #8 pick for him? Didn’t think so..

    Link to combine results from SF position:
    http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?page=&year=2009&sort2=DESC&draft=100&pos=3&sort=1

  • joetheknick

    Chris> I fully agree that Chandler is a good player with a good future who had a good year with the Knicks. A trade with Washington to get us a big like Blatche or McGee or Haywood is the reason I believe Chandler should be traded. Chandler is not big enough to play the 4 or 5 spot on the Knicks. We need a big. Trading the 8 spot for the 5 spot should get us Curry. I would be a happy guy with Curry at PG and Blatche or McGee at the 4 or 5 spot. Remember we have Harrington and Gallinari at the 3 spot. Your thougths?

  • joetheknick

    problem with Heywood is he is over 30 years old and making over 6 million in the final year of his contract. Is he just another one year rental. I would rather take Blatche or McGee with their rookie contracts. Your thoughtsI

  • bob go knicks

    no way wilson chandler is a stud!at best hes a slightly above average player

  • Funk

    I would love love love love to get McGee from washington! very long, very athletic, still raw but I think he needs the run and gun system to flourish.

  • joetheknick

    my problem with Chandler is that he plays the same position as Gallinari. I want Gallinari to be the SF. Chandler is out of position at SG or PF. Harrington is my off the bench big. Chandler is good but expendible to get a post defender and or shotblocker big.Nate is expendible for the same reason. He really doesn’t fit.

  • bob go knicks

    b.j mullens wont last until the 2nd round.he’ll be gone before 20

  • bob go knicks

    who the phuk was talking about you?

  • KBT1615

    Heywood is 29 right now but and when his contract runs out 31 but I would still be happy because Heywood is a better post defender and has a better Offensive game than Mcgee. But Mcgee is younger so whatever.
    Id be happy with either.

  • evan_den

    i agree completely with bob go knicks. washington would be crazy to trade the 5th pick straight up for wilson chandler. donnie walsh would do it in a second. chandler is a decent role player, and a good pick up for where he was drafted, but nothing more. at the 5th pick, a team has a real shot at drafting an all-star, which wilson will never be.

    having said that, there is no way walsh is trading wilson and the 8th pick to move up a few spots. in a draft this unpredictable, there is no reason to. especially since the knicks need as many guys on rookie contracts as they can get going into 2010.

  • KBT1615

    huh dont be mad at me because everything you said didnt hold water.

  • harlem heat

    WHAAAT?? I know you guys on here are always hating on chandler (why I will never know) but Travor Ariza Is better then Chandler????

    Thats just crazy! Will is 22 and while he does nothing great yet he does just about everything good! Would I use him if the right trade came along? Sure say Lee & Will for Amare no question! But to talk like this is Jarron Collins or something is crazy!!!

  • harlem heat

    How has Gallo proven he can be anything more then Will??? Ok better jumper but week defender bad back and u guys acted shocked if someone says trade him before he is exposed!!

  • KBT1615

    Thank You, What Kind Of Nonsense is that.

  • knicks55

    nice situation right here

    trade ill will for 5th pick from wiz, maybe if hardens still there, take him with out a doubt, if hes not there then def steph curry

    with the 8th pick if we have that gaurd we needed then take jordan hill or maybe demarr derozan, but im not to high on him, he lack consistency and that hurts stock, i really like hill though bc he is a steal for many teams, and the knicks will have the best young core

    but i really like chandler, he will be a good player years come like 16 ppg 8rbp but idk he wont be elite, even though he really has the body and potentional to be..

    and the biggest steal in late 1st round is def t-will, god i rave how good he will be, has all the tools, can average a triple double any night. he will be great, not good, but great…

    knicks lineup game one

    1.curry
    2.mclinton
    3.gallo
    4.hill/harrington
    5.lee/camby

    we use a second rounder on mclinton, and trade for camby,

    hughes, mobley contract to clips for camby, pretty resonable

  • J-Knick

    No way. I hope Donnie didn’t even think about such a deal

    The knicks need to put together a team with young, up and coming talent. Either to give a superstar acquisition a strong supporting case, or by itself to build a portland-like team.

    Why on earth giving up two talents (Will and #8) for one (#6) ??? to get Curry ? We dont know if Sac-Town or Washington are not high on him.

    Anyhow I prefer Will + Flynn/Holiday/… than Curry

  • bob go knicks

    oh yeah?thats not what he said(under us)

  • bob go knicks

    how bout think?does he think good?he has no mind for hoops and hes SOFT…..I KEEP HEARING “WHOS GONNA GUARD KOBE=61PTS LEBRON =TRIPL DOUBL……WADE 44PTS AND A GAME WINNER ………..CHANDLER=ISAIAHS LAST JOKE AS A KNICK……TRADE CHANDLER NOW(BEFORE THE OTHERS FIND OUT HES A FRAUD) ARIZA=STARTER ON 2009 NBA CHAMPS………CHANDLER =STARTER ON 33 WIN TEAM WHOS WING HURT HIS BACK…………HEY KBT1615,YOU KEEP ASKING FOR GAY……….DID YOU KNOW HIM IN THE NAVY?

  • bob go knicks

    YEP!

  • choggs

    WoW!! McGee / Blatche / Haywood for Chandler?!? I wouldn’t go that far. That means LeBron and Wade will definitely come here.

    I’m with slambam and chris, chandler MAY not be the next coming of Scottie Pippen, but who is? In that chicago team, he may be Toni Kukoc. Quiet guy who contributes whenever he can. I say we trade chandler ONLY if we can get rubio or griffin… that’s it.

    I believe we only have a few assets/ players that make us attractive to FAs on 2010… and chandler is one of them.

  • Kid Tarheel

    I think its safe to say that you know nothing of basketball bob. Your statements are way off base. If you look back on past drafts, only a handful of players are on the league past 5 years. Any player drafted who can average 35 minutes a game and 15 points in any system is a valued commodity. ANd please, please keep gay away from my knicks. He thinks he’s way better than he is, and that is a bad trait on a rebuilding team.