They’re extremely young–a theme here is that they prefer to draft guys young for their draft year–but the ball is just not going in for these guys so far. There were guys that I think will turn out better but it’s early to say whom. Given that it’s that early, I’m not actually to the point of criticism yet. But this year will be very telling, I think.
Heat turned Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love into Norman Powell? That’s a home run move for them. Powell doesn’t turn them into an East contender, but at that price, why not? Can’t say I get what the Clippers are going for here. Sounds like they get some financial benefit, but this feels like a pretty big roster downgrade for them.
Exactly.
This trade is probably the decision you’d question the most so far in the rebuild. Jury is still out – one of the future picks is a 2029 first rounder – but Avdija’s deal was a steal at the time and is looking like even more so now. But, clearly, the plan is to take as many bites at the apple as possible, so process-wise it makes sense regardless of the outcome.
To clarify, they also took on Brogdon – didn’t trade him. The goal was to flip him for (minor) assets but that didn’t work out. Didn’t play enough and when he did, wasn’t good enough.
…and the Wiz literally just received Dillon Jones himself and a future 2nd rounder from OKC for free. So they basically acquired the 24th pick – Kyshawn George – for nothing.
Basically, the FO has nailed almost every single move, but they’re still in a place where no current player is guaranteed to be starting level on a good team. But, they’ll keep taking bites at the apple until they truly get a player (or players) worth building around – 9 players on the team were 1st round picks in the last 3 drafts and I think all but Dillon Jones are under 21.
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my feeling on Avdija is that while he’s a productive player and likely to be better than Carrington, he’s the sort of dude who has no purpose on a team that’s 3 years away at minimum of being anything relevant (like Alex Caruso on the Bulls), and getting a first round pick who at least may become something is sound, even if its more likely he’s never as good as Avdija
Also, getting a pick for taking on Smart and the 2028 pick-swap for taking Middleton (that may be pretty juicy, tbd) is pretty good process stuff. Also, there’s a decent chance if those guys are healthy enough that they help some of the younger guys figure it out.
Like, their most used lineup was Poole-Carrington-Kuzma-Coulibaly-Sarr, and second was the same with Kyshawn George swapped for Kuzma, which is just intensely unserious basketball (three/four teenagers being sheparded by Jordan Poole (luv you Jordan) and Kyle Kuzma! At least Middleton and Smart are serious players who know how to play.
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again, i said specifically their philosophy is good. i think they’re aligned and doing a good job of getting bites at the apple, as Shap says.
but if none of these guys look like league average guys after this season, that’s a lot of misses. i’d guess even adjusting for pick and age, it’s a lot.
My bet is that Sarr and Coulibaly are actually starters, but not stars
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They’re still probably 3 years away from being 3 years away but they’re in better shape this offseason without having Troy “Umm…” Weaver as a consultant.
I think in the “Modern Era” (1980-'81 season-present) of the NBA, the Bullets/Wiz may only trail the Clippers for futility. During that time, they’ve never made it past the Conference Semis and have had 29 losing seasons. Even having MJ seemed to hurt them more than help them, as far as team success goes. He was a terrible decision-maker and when he came back to play, he was merely very good but couldn’t do enough to make them a winner.
My daughter was 10 when the Wall-Beal-Gortat-Nene Wizards were a playoff team. I don’t think Pierce was in this group but maybe. We occasionally had access to an unbelievable box and she just loved this team.
I DVRd every game, and every day when I came home from work she was watching or rewatching a game.
It was the cutest thing ever and while they haven’t been great lately, pls don’t hate on the Wiz. They are ridiculous, but they have made my life so much better.
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I’m not hating. Just pointing out the rough times.
Hey, I enjoyed the Clips when I first lived in LA but they were terrible. It was still fun seeing Loy Vaught and Gary Grant. When I returned, I enjoyed Darius Miles, Q-Rich, Maggette, Lamar Odom, and Elton Brand. They were loveable (mostly) losers and the underdogs of the city. And Ralph Lawler was a really good PBP guy.
The Pistons were still my favorite but the Clips were in the mix for second banana. As much as I adopted any LA team while I lived there, they were the ones I chose.
I didn’t know how much of a s**t Sterling was off the court until later. I just thought he was a lousy and cheap owner, which he was.
I did like the '93-'94 Lakers with Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel some and the '99 Laker team with Rodman and Rice joining Shaq and Kobe, too. And I was happy that Glen got a ring the next year, even though Portland should’ve won that WCF. Major choke-job in Game 7.
But, anyway. Good for you and your daughter with that Wiz team. I hope they provide some better basketball for you both sometime soon.
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Obviously, being a Pistons fan for the last 15 years hasn’t been a lot of fun, either. It’s nice that they’re finally decent again and have potential to build on that.
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When I lived in Utah, I ran into Deron Williams at the mall. I was wearing a Michigan shirt and he made it a point to talk trash to me. It was at that moment I realized Illinois alums/fans were weird.
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I met Francisco Garcia(Louisville) back in 2014 at an airport. Had a couple drinks he was impressed I knew who he was.
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Fun roster for college basketball fans
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I am curious about guys like Keels. High level recruit decent 1st year at Duke but obviously in a hurry to go pro. I appreciate and understand the Duke brotherhood but I can name 7 or so players in a hurry that flopped but Duke still gets these guys. Keels, Whitehead, Moore, Griffin, Hurt, Carey Jr, Stanley Jr. In a year from now Reddish will be out of the league most likely. I get the appeal but where does the idea of no room in the inn apply?
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Nepotism alert!!!
LOL! Wish we could ask what he thinks about Morez. But not very much. Only if it took minimal effort, didn’t require me to break stride, and it also upset at least 4 Spartys.
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Official. They get Charlotte 2nd round pick for 2026, but it’s top 55 protected, so it won’t convey. They get a trade exception of 14.3 mil.