I was also wondering about the Charlotte/GS trade, Stephen A.'s fit notwithstanding. But it seems to make sense (with the exception of J-Rich's contract and Gerald Wallace possibly resigning for big bucks).

I was scratching my head about Nick Young, until I realized the Wiz get a player who can handle the rock, shoot it and get to the basket. Then it all made sense: Adíos, Jarvis Hayes.

Now let's see a package deal for a big guy with heart!

trying to figure out why an Antonio Daniels trade is being mentioned so much. he's not great, but he's never scared to drive, he gets to the free throw line and he makes the FTs. in the playoffs when we were thin he was putting up double digit assist games regularly. seems like a good calming, veteran presence to have on the team, especially when Arenas is far from a traditional PG. will someone explain it to me?

There was a comment made in the last blog entry. Why can't the Wiz buy a late 1st round pick (a la Portland buying Phoenix's 24th pick last night)? While it would be expensive 2 or 3 million, why not? I think the bench clearly needs improvement. Beyond the big 3. There are 3 relative unknowns but promising (O.Pecherov, N.Young, A.Blatche) and the rest of the team is just composed of guys that are easily replaceable. No team would be calling for A.Daniels or E.Thomas based on their contracts.

People seem to get excited at the prospect of having a Juan Carlos Navarro possibly coming over in the future. But why not spend a few million to get an additional pick (whether it is used for a Euro or someone that can help on the bench immediately). Mike or Ivan, could you address this?

Thanks

Louis you have to give up something to get something

"How about using Antonio Daniels in a package to get Maggette?"

(In unision) AAAAAAAAHHHH-MMMMMEEEEEEENNNN!

Maggette is nice but Camby is better. Use Daniels as part of a deal for him as it fills the glaring void we have. You can always sign a scoring guard to complement Arenas, Jameson and Butler, even by resigning Stevenson if he fits the cap space. Camby is apparently available and a package of Daniels, Blatche and Young might do it. Include Haywood and/or Thomas if they are dumb enough to include one, for one of their spare parts.

"Camby is apparently available and a package of Daniels, Blatche and Young might do it."

Is this a serious post? I'm assuming you're being sarcastic. If the Wizards ever did this I will quit watching basketball.

when you watch the wizards are u really watching basketball? or the Gilbert Arenas show? Lee why tell us to listen up? Speak to Grunfeld - he makes the deals.

I agree; Daniels, Blatche, and Young for Camby, HOW DUMB CAN YOU BE.

Camby or Tyson Chandler is who we should be trying to get for our five spot. Now that we have Young, include Jarvis in a package with Haywood to get one of them.

We should not be giving up any of our young potentials who will later be a star on another tema like we see in the Bullets-Pistons (Wallace).

cuz everyone in the league is beating down the wiz's door to trade their starters for a jarvis/haywood package. get real. NO ONE WANTS OUR TRASH!!!

And why would the Hornets or the Nuggets trade Chandler or Camby (DPOY last year) for two underperforming Wizards backups?

I think the Nick Young pick was a great pick. We need more scoring from the bench(can get his own shot, which will open things up for Songalia). Now I think we try to sign Jamaal McGloire to man the center spot and trade either Brendan or Etan. Re-sign Booth (he'll be cheap) and Stevenson (won't be a huge demand).

Until this team gets some heart down low they go nowhere.

We DO need a big man with heart. I like Camby, but not at the expensive of a fresh draft pick with talent (what are people smoking?). We may have to trade a future pick to make the deal, but get rid of Haywood & Hayes---at least.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Hayes' contract expire at the beginning of this free-agency period? If so and if EG wants to move him rather than keep him or let him walk, would it have to be a sign-and-trade, or can he be traded as an expiring contract at this point?

If he can be moved as an expiring contract, it seems that he would posess some decent trade value. I'd appreciate it if anyone can clear this up.

Thanks

Hayes is a restricted FA this summer. Any deal involving him would have to be a S&T. The Wiz can't deal him until he signs a new deal with them.

"Thumbs up: I am not among those who believe that Michael Jordan made a huge blunder in trading Brandan Wright (the eighth overall pick) for Jason Richardson."

You're the only one then Mike. I'm so glad Jordan is screwing up someone elses roster now.

Good pick for the Wiz. Now we will get to watch a decent 6th many come off the bench for a change. :)

"Then it all made sense: Adíos, Jarvis Hayes."

Jarvis will be a Wizard next year, say "adios" to Stevenson.

- Ray

If the Wizards are going to make a big deal of any kind, Jamison's expiring contract will have to be part of it. As for the Nuggets dealing a big-time player, if they are going to deal one it would be Kenyon Martin. And while that would be a big risk, given Martin's success when Eddie Jordan was an assistant in New Jersey, he might be the kind of the player the Wizards need.

with all this talk about finding instant offense off the bench, it makes me thing back to the days of having juan dixon here. he used to come out on fire, and fearlessly jack up shots. i think that's just the kind of guy we need back... hometown MD guy too...

"If the Wizards are going to make a big deal of any kind, Jamison's expiring contract will have to be part of it."

It's not expiring yet, in fact it's still in limbo until he decides if he wants to opt out or not.

IF that trade happens it will be after the Wiz tank it in(if they do that is) and he's actually under contract which means All Star break at the soonest.

Jamison isn't going anywhere, plus he put up 50 in the playoffs. Why would you want to trade him? Yes his D sucks, but he's still valuable to the Wizards right now. Next year might be different.

I don't see any big trades happening for the Wiz unless EG pulls off another Kwame for Caron type of deal.

- Ray

i've been vocal about trading jamison the last few years, and i'd still be willing to package him for a guy like gasol, stoudamire, and maybe even marion. but not marting. the guy has barely seen the court in two years, and even before then, in his best year he put up less than jamison (though he was a much better defender).

i know i'm going to get blasted for this, but if i were the gm, i'd still be seriously listening to trades involving butler as well. his value is at it's highest point right now. if you could land another young guy, but at the 4/5 spot, like gaso, you'd have to consider it...

some of you are dilusional....daniels stinks and is old. who would give up younger talent for that guy.

had to come out of hiding for this one... I don't see how Magette makes us better. Unless he's willing to come off the bench. But that's why he's complaining now

"Then it all made sense: Adíos, Jarvis Hayes."

Jarvis will be a Wizard next year, say "adios" to Stevenson.

Hope you're wrong, Ray, but I fear you're right. Can EG make two master brickmasons disappear in a summer? Don't think so.

"I don't see how Magette makes us better. Unless he's willing to come off the bench. But that's why he's complaining now"

Actually Maggette is the perfect 2-guard for us right now. Good defender, hits the open shots he's supposed to, doesn't mind passing the ball, and about 5-7 times a year carries the team to a win. A lot more than I can say about a Mr. 50. He turns 28 this season and only makes $7M for the next 2 years. People complain about his defense until he's not on the court, then they want him back on and good things happen. A guy like that you can plug into your starting SG spot and forget about it.

Bah humbug! "Booooooooooooooooooo!" Wizards didn't make any trades.

Bah humbug! "Booooooooooooooooooo!" Wizards didn't make any trades.

MArcus Camby is the answer?

Previs Ellison version 2.0

He play in 40 games a year. Just what we need to trade our future for 33 year old who can't stay health.

05-06 56 GP
04-05 66 GP
03-04 72 GP
02-03 29 GP
01-02 29 GP
00-01 63 GP
99-00 59 GP
98-99 46 GP
97-98 63 GP
96-97 63 GP

I think Corey Maggette would be a little too much for the team right now. The trifecta of Arenas, Butler and Jamison is pretty good, and adding Maggette would be good, but not great. We should get a player down low that is tough (i.e. Mikki Moore). Thomas and Haywood's beef has already affected the team, but fellas, we do have a playoff team, and had it not been for Butler and Arenas' injuries, I think we would've beaten the Cavs in the first round!

Nick Young is a very good pick...athletic, good scorer, tough. Al Thornton would've been good, but Nick is better because he can play the two.

I think Corey Maggette would be a little too much for the team right now. The trifecta of Arenas, Butler and Jamison is pretty good, and adding Maggette would be good, but not great. We should get a player down low that is tough (i.e. Mikki Moore). Thomas and Haywood's beef has already affected the team, but fellas, we do have a playoff team, and had it not been for Butler and Arenas' injuries, I think we would've beaten the Cavs in the first round!

Nick Young is a very good pick...athletic, good scorer, tough. Al Thornton would've been good, but Nick is better because he can play the two.

I think Corey Maggette would be a little too much for the team right now. The trifecta of Arenas, Butler and Jamison is pretty good, and adding Maggette would be good, but not great. We should get a player down low that is tough (i.e. Mikki Moore). Thomas and Haywood's beef has already affected the team, but fellas, we do have a playoff team, and had it not been for Butler and Arenas' injuries, I think we would've beaten the Cavs in the first round!

Nick Young is a very good pick...athletic, good scorer, tough. Al Thornton would've been good, but Nick is better because he can play the two.

Scoop, who's Mr. 50?

"Scoop, who's Mr. 50?"

Stevenson, when he was shooting 50%, way before the playoffs.

Nick Young aka N1 aka Ni-Yo will be a beast.

One of the reasons the Clippers have been looking to move Maggette is because he wasn't happy coming off the bench. I doubt he'd be any happier coming off the bench in D.C. He's a volume scorer, but he doesn't shoot a great percentage, which means he needs a lot of shots to be effective. Don't know that there'll be enough to go around after Arenas, butler, and Jamison are all fed.

JC,

I am tremendously glad you are NOT the GM with that crazy idea.

LOL, LOL, LOL, Hi Lisa, LOL. You're right!

Thanks for the laugh!

Instead of a fantasy league type trade using players no one wants, you have to give up something to get something in the real world. Though the potential is there, Young and Blatche are just bench players for this roster and Daniels has been a reserve for 2 years now. They're nice off the bench, and a good bench is valuable, but which is more important to the team, a few potentially good bench players or a true defensive oriented center as a starter? Three reserves for a starting center is not "giving away the house" and lets the Wiz win now, not in a few years when those 2 might develop.

Whether it be Camby (the defensive POY), Chandler, or even J.O'Neal, a package of Haywood, Hayes, etal. will only get you a dial tone after they stop laughing and then hang up. You almost have to give Haywood away right now and hope someone says okay. A second round pick would be a generous offer given his play and attitude. Hayes has little market value as well because of his health and lack of shooting accuracy so who would take them for a viable center. A package with them in it might get you Kwame Brown, maybe.

This is so true, it deserves repeating:

"...a package of Haywood, Hayes, etal. will only get you a dial tone after they stop laughing and then hang up. You almost have to give Haywood away right now and hope someone says okay. A second round pick would be a generous offer given his play and attitude. Hayes has little market value as well because of his health and lack of shooting accuracy so who would take them for a viable center. A package with them in it might get you Kwame Brown, maybe."

All that is true (and Hilarious), however I say we wait and see how a healthy Big 3, with Pesh, Young, Songalia, Blatche etc. looks b4 giving up all that young talent.

Most of us like Antonio a lot. He is a solid player, on court leader and good locker room influence. With Gilbert being a less vocal leader he is very valuable. But...he is one of our only players apart from the big 3 that has any trade value. Do you think other teams get excited about Hayes, Haywood, Thomas, Ruffin, Booth, Lang, Hall or Mason? You have to offer something that people want to make a trade. Among the big 3 I would trade AJ before Butler or Gilbert but would still be very hesitant to trade AJ for chemistry reasons. (Though I still think he is a defensive liability.)

Looks like Ernie didn't even consider "the Sean Williams temptation." In the long run I guess that was wise. Well, I hope we are going to try to upgrade our center position but I think we are still better than we were a month ago. This MacGuire guy intrigues me. He is 6'8", looks like he can play D, hit a jumper, has some hops and can block shots. Seeing his highlight reel I think I see some "attitude" which is really important. Apart from Caron we have guys that are laid back. (I know AJ showed some real fire during the playoffs, but I am looking at the long haul.) I think that they are hoping McGuire can be the "Labron stopper." Again I think this means they really want to dump Hayes. Ernie has a plan folks.

The problem with signing older players is that they get older. Antonio Daniels is signed until he is 35. Likewise, Jamieson should not be signed, as he will be 32 next year and want multiple megabuck years. Both should be traded now (for younger players) while they still can be moved.

The problem with trading old players is the same one as signing them. They get older. (But then, so does everyone, and it certainly beats the alternative).

The only young players to be had in return for Daniels will be (A) lousy players (B) bad attitudes (C) attached to crap contracts (D) all of the above. At the end of the day, Daniels is more valuable and useful to the Wizards than anything they can reasonably expect to get in return for him in a trade. And, from a money perspective, they aren't yet in a position where they need to start giving away productive stable players for nothing. They may, however, be in a position where they need to consider giving away unproductive unstable players away just to get them gone.

I would have thought Ryan Leaf would have gone to the Bucks last night at pick # 9. Pretty surprising that he didn't. Guess we will have to wait and see how it plays out

You could get more Wiz info in an OBGYN waiting room.

If Les BouleS are looking for a deadly shooter off the bench, Jason Kapono should be available as a free agent.

hey i believe that the wizards should trade Antonio Daniels and bring in Steve Blake...i believe he could do as good as AD...and it would be a lot cheaper....Steve Blake is a free agent!!it would be nice to have Jerry Stackhouse back in DC to come in and score off the bench..he's a free agent here's a list of all free-agents for this summer!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2654216

hey i believe that the wizards should trade Antonio Daniels and bring in Steve Blake...i believe he could do as good as AD...and it would be a lot cheaper....Steve Blake is a free agent!!it would be nice to have Jerry Stackhouse back in DC to come in and score off the bench..he's a free agent here's a list of all free-agents for this summer!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2654216

hey i believe that the wizards should trade Antonio Daniels and bring in Steve Blake...i believe he could do as good as AD...and it would be a lot cheaper....Steve Blake is a free agent!!it would be nice to have Jerry Stackhouse back in DC to come in and score off the bench..he's a free agent here's a list of all free-agents for this summer!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2654216

I don't think Steve would want to come back here though. Plus, the run and gun style suits his game more than this princeton hybrid.

lisa, you're honestly telling me you'd rather have caron butler over pau gasol? without hesitation?

the two players are the same age. but one is 7' tall, averaged 2 blocks per game, 10 boards, and shot 54% from the field, and went to the line 7 times a game. and all that was in a year coming back from injury and not being happy on his team.

caron is a great player, but just like how portland chose oden over durant, there is a higher value for post players, because really good ones are few and faw between, and very rarely are they available to pick up.

i'm not saying we should actively push butler...i'm just saying we should entertain the options that might be out there for him. you have to look at value. chances are, we won't get back equal value for arenas -- that seems to be how trades of top players end up. jamison is extremely expensive and in his last year, so a team is not going to trade a young all-star level player for him.

caron is on an affordable contract, and just had a career year. he has the most trade value on the team. would i giv ehim up for camby? no. for jermaine o'neal? maybe, but o'neals inury history is a concern. for pau gasol? yeah, i definitely would.

JC, I don't know that I'd give up Caron for Gasol. If we're talking straight talent, it's probably a wash, but everything else being equal, PFs are more valuable than SFs, so from that angle it makes sense. But Caron brings an attitude, toughness and intensity that the team needs.

Now, if you're talking about Blatche, Young and a #1 next year, I'd do that. I think Andray's going to be outstanding, but right now it's still potential. Gasol has been terrific for years now, and could play the pivot for us. And we'd still have Petch and the Big Three. Sometimes you have to give up great potential for good production.

Although before any trade, I'd require Gasol to cut that "Deliverance" beard!

In other words, there *are* options, and we do have assets, if we're willing to use them.

Caron is the only untouchable guy on this team. He's the heart and soul of the team, and their leader and mvp. You can't cut off the head and expect the body to function. Gasol could come in here and help, but it'd still be a rag tag bunch.

I'd get rid of Gilby because of his unwillingness to become a leader despite his desire to be a max player. I can't think of another player out there that wants max money, but does not want the responsibility of a leader.

I read something funny today. In Wilbon's article, he acknowledges the fact that Gilbly may be gone after next season, but says Young will be here to take over the reins. Oh well Gilby.

Given that, he gave MJ a pass and didn't critique him on trading for Jason Richardson. I wonder how he and Steven A. Smith will chat it out after he finds out that Steven called MJ's move "stupid."

"And if Arenas winds up leaving after the season as a free agent, then the Wizards will at least have a young scorer who was groomed for a year. Young's not known for playing great defense, meaning he'll fit perfectly with the Wizards in that regard, too."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/28/AR2007062802618.html

Blake left because he didn't want to be a 20 mpg backup. He's not going to come back to be a 20 mpg backup. And he likely wouldn't be any cheaper than Daniels. He played well enough in his stint with Denver that someone will probably offer him the MLE, which is just what Daniels is making.

trade booth for tim duncan

Ivan:
In today's piece, you state, "The team plans on re-signing Stevenson, who will become an unrestricted free agent next week, but may part ways with Hayes, who averaged a career-low 7.2 points on 41 percent shooting last season."

"May" part ways with Hayes? Didn't you ask Grunfeld yesterday whether he will make the qualifying offer to Hayes? My understanding is that the team needs to do so by today. I looked in all the local papers and none of the articles mention it. What the heck did you guys ask Grunfeld in his press conference yesterday?? Why bother even going? Get on the ball, man.

trade BTH and daniels for mo williams if the bucks resign him and then sign Matt Barnes and Dikembe Mutumbo.

trade BTH for earl boykins

"Hope you're wrong, Ray, but I fear you're right."

Yeah me too actually. :(

I just don't think the oprganization is willing to give up on Jarvis yet, that and Jordan loves the guy.

The only way he leaves is if someone offers him 4-5 mil for like 4-5 years and I don't think that's gonna happen. I think EG is thinking he can get a year or two out of him for a cheap price at the two.

I think AD's days are numbered also, but it's a question with his salary.

"Caron is the only untouchable guy on this team."

No one is "untouchable" and Caron has been traded twice already if I remember correctly. Caron is a "good" player, not "great." He's a "great" person and has worked hard and overcome a ton to become that way.

I'd have to think long and hard if Gasol was offered for Caron, but saying that I don't think that would happen.

- Ray

No one on this team is untouchable, I agree, but if anyone is near untouchable, it's Caron. Caron has been traded twice, but in his stints with those teams, he wasn't the player he is today.

All the other all stars gave him "mad props" and respect. I see him in how he's leading the team and how he's reached out to the community and you know this is a good guy, a "Joe Gibbs" type of guy who the younger players will look up to and follow into the trenches. Les BouleS were going nowhere during the 2nd half of last season without him in the lineup, even with Gilby and AJ healthy.

Nevermind Jarvis and DS, the big question mark is AB. He's not going to play in the summer league, which was announced yesterday that all games will be televised by comcast. Ivan has yet to answer why he's not going to play, especially since this is going to be a critical season for him if he's here.

BTH and AB are tight, and the way BTH was treated, I expect AB to sign a poison pill contract which will force Les BouleS to let him go. It may not be just about the dollars and being able to match. With all the weapons on this team, I expect AB to want to go somewhere where he can crack the starting lineup and get more touches. He's not going to get that here with Gilby, Young, AJ, DS, and now OPech.

Ray, Jamison is not going to opt out and turn down $18 million this year. I don't know what the deadline to opt out is, but it may have already passed or is about to pass.
Jamison is a huge liability at one end of the floor and because of his knees has a lot of difficulty with playing back-to-back nights. Because he could represent cap room next summer and because of his outstanding playoffs and highly respected leadership skills Jamison's value will never be higher. Adding Nick Young and O-Pech (assuming Blatche and Stevenson stay) isn't enough to get this team where we want it to go (Eastern Conference finals or better).

I'm not at all surprised that Blatche is not playing in the Summer League - don't understand why some of you are. After all, he played this season and even started a few times. I'm sure he feels the summer league is for guys trying to break through - not those that are already there.

I hadn't seen this and I think summer league would be great place for AB to show his stuff and get experience. I am surprised that he isn't jumping at opportunity to play. What is his work ethic like? Never hear anyone say anything about that. He could get lots of minutes during that week and move up on the rotation if he led the team. Could also start building some chemistry with Pech. I don't think this is good.

Some good information on McGuire at DraftExpress . . .

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1162

Sounds like this guy is a high energy player--an above average rebounder and ball-handler who needs to work on his outside shooting. Very good athlete with a long reach. I'll be curious to see how McGuire looks in Vegas, but it sound like he's going to be the type of guy off the bench who will become a fan favorite. e.g. Ruffin with ball-handling skills and a little bit of an offensive game.

DraftExpress makes an upside comparison to Danny Granger, and downside to Renaldo Balkman. Sounds like he was one of the top players at the pre-draft camp.

I love Caron as a person and like him as a player, but anyone saying he's untouchable or he's more valuable than Arenas doesn't know a lick about basketball.

The Wizards wouldn't win 30 games next year with Caron as a 1st option.

Gasol for Caron would never happen. It would take alot more for Memphis to give up one of the best young bigs in the league.

"I love Caron as a person and like him as a player, but anyone saying he's untouchable or he's more valuable than Arenas doesn't know a lick about basketball."

...sounds like, "hey Caron is an untouchable and better than Gilby" DCWoman

Anyone who thinks the MVP of the team has to be the first option doesn't know basketball. The MVP of the team is the player who's the glue of the team and who inspires his teammates to max their abilities. He is the leader of the team, and it's heart and soul. You can call Gilby your MVP, but he wants nothing to do with leadership nor does he want to play any defense. Les BouleS were dead in the water when Caron went out with his injury, even with Gilby and AJ healthy.

If you look at the Spurs, you would easily say that Tim Duncan is the MVP on that team. Well surprise, Tony Parker was the MVP of that finals series, as he was the glue that held them together. Make no mistake, the Spurs don't win anything without Tim Duncan, but if you look at past franchise players like Ewing, Barkley, etc., you don't win anything without a player that brings the team together and accepts a leadership role.

BmoreRev, AB's participation in the summer league can only benefit him and his teammates. Anyone who doesn't see this is just making excuses. It's a great time for him to learn the nuances of his teammates and to stay in shape. What else is he going to do, track down Party John and hit up some more nightclubs?

BTW, one of your questions was posted in the Post's sports section last saturday.

DC Man88,

If you're talking to me, to which question are you referring. I don't get hard copy but can look online.

DC Man88,

If you're talking to me, to which question are you referring. I don't get hard copy but can look online.

Yes, your question was posted in a recent print edition. It was last week, but not saturday. I had a copy that I did not recycle yet. Le Post usually prints questions from either their blogs, their on line chats, etc. from various sports. I had one of my points posted once. I think your post was in regard to the draft and what Les BouleS should be focusing on. I think it was a forceful post on what they should do.

personally, i don't think anyone on our team is "untouchable." in fact, i think very few players in the league would qualify...untouchable implies that if someone offered you oden, durant, stoudamire, and chris paul, and all you had to do was give up butler (if salaries were not a reality), you'd still say no.

as for our team losig games when butler went out, that's true. and part of the reason was we had no one to pick up the slack for him at all (which wouldn't be true if we traded him for a player of equal or more talent). but another part ofthe reason was arenas was also nursing injuries and playing through them, and wasn't able to dominate with his usual ability.

i do know that this upcoming season is huge for us. it's jamison's last year, and possibly gil's. we need to get past the second round of the playoffs to convince gil to stay. and we need to make a major decision about jamison. i mean, do you resign a 32 yr old undersized pf to a longterm contract at high dollars? i really don't want us trading one of the big three at mid season. that usually means the rest of the season is a wash, as everyone learns to play together.

i amexcited to see what pesh and young can do...

Ivan: "Reggie Miller is probably the only player to maintain playing at a relatively high level - and even then, he was never more than the second option in Indiana...."
?What about Michael Jordan, who won several championships in his 30's and is regarded as the best shooting guard and best NBA player of all time by most experts?

For everyone who wants us to make a move for a big man, I say -- wait. It's clear that the front office is excited about Pech, and we're all waiting for Blatche to explode. Given that we MAY have 2 young studs in the frontcourt, the right thing to do is give them a chance to show what they can do, NOT blow up the team in pursuit of Gasol or Camby.

Check back 40 games into the season -- if it looks like these 2 aren't quite as good as advertised, or are slow to develop, then it may be time for plan B (trade Caron for a big) or even plan C (fire the coach and hire someone who can play/develop young bigs).

My biggest fear is that EJ keeps the Etan/Wood/Ruff rotation going and we don't really get a chance to see if OPec & Blatche can deliver.

"Because he could represent cap room next summer and because of his outstanding playoffs and highly respected leadership skills Jamison's value will never be higher."

I agree with that in principle, George. The problem is, that those same qualities that make him so valuable in a potential trade are just what make him valuable to the Wizards. For whatever reason, this team is emotionally fragile and prone to lose focus. Jamison is the guy who pulls it all together, and Ernie knows this. I really doubt he moves Antawn, until or unless he can acquire someone, be it a player or a coach, who can fill that crucial leadership void.

Prudence and patience are always a good thing, dj. Problem is that there are slim pickings for bigs out there to begin with. The longer they wait the slimmer they become. Passing on acquiring a quality big now (assuming one can even be had) and then making a deadline day trade of Caron (possibly the team's best all around player) for a big who, in all likelihood won't be as impactful comes closer to being a panic move (the kind this team had long been associated with before Grunfeld and Co.) rather than plan B.

I agree they should sign any old big just to get one, but if there's one out there (Darko? Wilcox?) that they think (A) would be an upgrade and (B) can be gotten, it behooves them to make the deal.

Just to clarify:

That last paragraph should start:

"I agree they shouldn't sign any old big just to get one..."