A Smart Decision In D.C

[hardenwithnod]

The Wizards are hoping to see this kind of effort from Marcus Smart this season.

As the CSL free agency period is slowly coming to an end, the Washington Wizards front office continues their busy off-season by signing 2 veterans into 1 year deals in an effort to complete roster.

The first signing is Marcus Smart. A perennial all star who won the league voted 6th Man of the Year last season, and was selected as an CSL All Star Game reserve as well. The 34 years old combo guard has inked a 1 year, $5,500,000 deal with the Washington Wizards. The savvy veteran averaged 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assist per game last year while coming off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs. Smart is expected to slot in a similar role here in D.C, as he's expected to play a significant amount of minutes off the bench, and provide a valuable locker room presence for this young team.

The second signing for the Wizards is Andrew Wiggins. The 33 years old swingman was a former number 2 overall selection, and has had a very successful career in the CSL. The long time Orlando Magic has successfully transitioned from a starter into a 6th man last season. WIggins averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in a 6th man role for the rebuilding Magic. Wiggins is expected to fulfill a similar role, and perhaps even starting at the small forward position for this young Wizards team. Coaches hope Wiggins can become a good mentor for fellow young swingmen such as Jaylen Nowell, and Moses Moody.

After these 2 signings, the current Washington Wizards roster stands at 15 players. This signifies the roster is officially set for next season. After consecutive losing seasons in D.C, perhaps the light at the tunnel has finally arrived for this rebuild project, and the Wizards fan may finally get to enjoy some winning basketball once again in D.C.

[Ramcus]

Ya know, I never really understood what rebuilding teams, such as San Antonio and most recently Washington, were doing when they looked to acquire better talent in the hopes of racking up more wins. They don't have the talent to truly compete for a championship, and are only looking for enough improvement to push them into the playoff race. This decision is entirely counterproductive to what I perceive their goal to be, which is to compete for a championship.

I'd understand it from a team who's already in the playoff hunt, and are looking to marginally improve from year to year to increase their odds of obtaining a better seed in the playoffs. Then it makes sense, as the marginal improvement could potentially be the change that the team had been looking for. A 3&D wing, or a rebounding big, or a floor general point guard, or a deeper more talented bench unit, are some examples of these types of moves. But the teams who had just started rebuilding, or restarted their rebuild, for the last couple seasons, have no real reason to be looking for better talent. If it was just in the hopes of finding a veteran mentor for their young guys, that would still be understandable, but I just don't see the point in signing guys like Marcus Smart and Andrew Wiggins, and trading for Trae Young, when it isn't enough to win with.

That being said, my team is effectively in the same position, so take my words with a grain of salt. I'm too stubborn to bottom out my own team(NOLA), yet the players are not talented enough to truly compete for a championship. Not good enough for a ring, not bad enough to tank.

[hardenwithnod]

Ya know, I never really understood what rebuilding teams, such as San Antonio and most recently Washington, were doing when they looked to acquire better talent in the hopes of racking up more wins. They don't have the talent to truly compete for a championship, and are only looking for enough improvement to push them into the playoff race. This decision is entirely counterproductive to what I perceive their goal to be, which is to compete for a championship.

I'd understand it from a team who's already in the playoff hunt, and are looking to marginally improve from year to year to increase their odds of obtaining a better seed in the playoffs. Then it makes sense, as the marginal improvement could potentially be the change that the team had been looking for. A 3&D wing, or a rebounding big, or a floor general point guard, or a deeper more talented bench unit, are some examples of these types of moves. But the teams who had just started rebuilding, or restarted their rebuild, for the last couple seasons, have no real reason to be looking for better talent. If it was just in the hopes of finding a veteran mentor for their young guys, that would still be understandable, but I just don't see the point in signing guys like Marcus Smart and Andrew Wiggins, and trading for Trae Young, when it isn't enough to win with.

That being said, my team is effectively in the same position, so take my words with a grain of salt. I'm too stubborn to bottom out my own team(NOLA), yet the players are not talented enough to truly compete for a championship. Not good enough for a ring, not bad enough to tank.

I would agree with you if I didn’t have my own picks, or any other future assets. However, I do have flexibility/fall back options if my team does not perform well this season, as guys like Wiggins/Smart/Turner are just one 1 year expiring deals. Worse comes worst, we trade them by deadline as valuable expirings, or let them walk in the off-season and give ourselves cap room once again to retool a new game plan.

Trae is still relatively young, so I think even if my team is not doing well this season, we will still have time to take advantage of his prime by having flexibility.

[rh0xxy]

Ramcus has a point but you can't help but acquire more assets as much as possible if you're rebuilding. That's the plan to go.

[emplep7]

This is a big change from your recent way of doing business, but you have a lot of above average talent and picks that can be moved for ready to win now pieces. Either way you have a lot of options and if your team is doing poor 60 days in, you can still trade these guys and get more assets back (Trae is a shoe in to be shipped to OKC I hear).

I liked the move to go get Trae since he is still young and a good compliment to J-Mac and think you should keep looking to acquire top end talent on the team.

[andrei]

Both are excellent additions and its great to see the Wiz going for it. Although I'll miss the days when we could just relax when playing Washington

[hardenwithnod]

Both are excellent additions and its great to see the Wiz going for it. Although I'll miss the days when we could just relax when playing Washington

Hahahaha, nah just keep relaxing, and play your backups against us!

[bt]

I kind of agree with Marcus here. I never understood certain teams game plan as at best, no one is paying anything significant for these items and team direction should be the sole focus.

That being said, one or maybe two moves here and the Wizards could be up with the best in the east. All depends on what Gary does with this picks and who he targets I guess. No point staying on the treadmill now and time to go for it I think.

[cb4raptorscb4]

I'm not totally against this. It reminds me of when we signed Klay and Dame, and they ended up getting us over the hump. Not many people expected us to compete for a Championship then either.