I personally believe that Washington could have infact made the playoffs this season had they been healthy. However, I do feel that making some trades would be best for the team. I think the Wizards have the potential to be a serious contender in The East given some time to develop and settle into a stable roster. This offseason could be the time to do just that and set the foundation to building a winning franchise. Here's my proposal. Keep Gilbert Arenas around, he's an allstar caliber point guard, and he could be very successful in this lineup for years to come. Secondly keep Kwame Brown, I personally believe he stills shows great potential. High Schoolers take a few years, Kwame has improved this season and perhaps next season is his breakout year like we saw from Jermaine O'Neal. So picking up the option on his contract is a must, next season if he doesn't progess simply don't resign him. Making some trades would also be in the teams best interest. Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes, and Christian Laettner would all be people I'd try to move if possible. The MAJOR concern has to be moving J-Stack though. Stackhouse is signed through the 08-09 season, I'm sure Washington doesn't want to be stuck with THAT contract for THAT long. Stack has become increasingly more injury prone, he is an aging player, and he's a liability on defense. The problems far out weigh what he's contributing to the team in my opinion. Lastly, the draft. I'm still considering who Washington should draft, honestly I don't see any MAJOR stars coming out of this draft. I personally would trade that high selection along with some of the aforementioned players and pick up an allstar that way, I think using their selection that way would suit best for Washington in the long run. What's your guy's view on the future of Washington? Who's worth keeping around, who needs to be traded? Who needs more minutes, who needs less? What do we do with the draft picks?
I do not want to trade Larry Hughes, when he went out with his wrist injury we lost 5 in a row I believe, he makes it click, I want to get rid of Etan, Stack, and Laettner..If we got rid of Stack and Etan..that right there is 12 mil in cap, I think we could trade our pick for an potential all star SF like Al Harrington or Rashard Lewis, but we would have to give up more I believe, I would lvoe to get Harrington, he can post up...Kwame has showed so many strides of improvement this year, and I believe he will average 15 and 10 next year...Keep Gilly around of course. Arenas Hughes Harrington, Lewis, or another SF Kwame Haywood...I think, that is a pretty good starting lineup, especially in the east
My plea that I've had for a long time is get rid of Stackhouse, he's always been a player thats been more about his statistical glory that the glory of the team. Stack needs to go and our franchise players need to be Arenas and Kwame. They can make a real good tandem and be scary in the future with Arenas as the triple double threat, and Kwame the low post beast. We need to keep everyone but Stack, Lattener and like Q-Rich said, get another SF because Hayes doesn't seem like he can handle it on D. I don't mind Ethan, but I think he will leave anyways. Arenas Hughes Other SF Kwame Haywood or other Center This can really be a good team Bench: Juan Dixon Hayes Blake Jefferies Baxter
I just think this team has ALOT of potential, they are going to have very high draft selections and they have alot of young and desirable talent to possibly move around. They also have two guys who I believe you can build around in Gilbert Arenas and Kwame Brown. The two biggests issues Washington has to address in the offseason is picking up the option on Kwame Brown's contract and moving Jerry Stackhouse. Stack is signed for too much and too long, with all his injuries and his lack of defense I think it's time he is moved before his value on the market deminishes more so than it already has. I'd personally try and move Jerry Stackhouse and a first round selection and try to aquire a solid small foward like Rashard Lewis, Al Harrington, Antawn Jamison, etc. Than take this year's first selection, which is likely to be a top 5, and draft a power foward or center.
We already picked up the option on Kwame and Haywood at the begining of this year, I think We could trade a future draft pick and Stack and possibly some fillers for the likes of Antawn Jamison or Al Harrington...he isnt happy in Indiana because he wants to be a starter, here he would be a starter.
