Off-Topic: The Washington Wizards Thread

[turtle28]

 

[turtle28]

And there it is! Clippers' Lou Williams faces extended quarantine after visiting strip club during excused absence https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/clippers/2020/07/25/lou-williams-facing-extended-quarantine-magic-city-trip/5513204002/ via @USATODAY

NBA player, just couldn't stay out of the strip club for a few months. The minute he could, he went. He had an excused absence to attend a funeral in Atlanta.

[turtle28]

NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Toppin falls to the Wizards. If this happened, I'd be so thrilled! To have Toppin & Rui as our future forwards to go w/ Wall & Beal would be awesome! 

https://sircharlesincharge.com/2020/07/26/nba-mock-draft-lamelo-ball-holds-knicks/10/

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9. Washington Wizards – Obi Toppin, F, Dayton

The Washington Wizards, if they wanted to, will have the ability to significantly shake up their roster this offseason. However, the thought is that they’re going to keep this team together as John Wall and Bradley Beal are both expected to be healthy together at the start of next season for the first time in a long while.

Those two, along with Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans, and the Wizards will be a fascinating team next season. At the very least, they’re going to be a force on the offensive end. Adding another top 10 pick will only raise their ceiling heading into next season.

A player like Obi Toppin makes a lot of sense for the Wizards at No. 9. Toppin is a more seasoned player that will be able to come in and produce at a high level almost from the opening tip. He’s a great finisher around the basket and is a good athlete. He has the potential to be a great defender, and won’t be asked to be much of an offensive creator on the Wizards. It’s a win-win for both sides.

Edited July 26, 2020 by turtle28

[MikeT14]

That would be amazing. 

[turtle28]

4 hours ago, MikeT14 said:

That would be amazing. 

Yeah, but very unlikely IMO.

[turtle28]

Bonga has now played three good games in Orlando. His first game vs the Nughest just showed up differently in the box score. Against the Nuggets on Wednesday, it was his +18 on/off point differential that stood out. On Saturday vs. the Clippers, Bonga did it all with 15 points, 12 rebounds and a +15 rating.

Today vs. the Lakers Bonga had 9 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists and again played solid defense and was +5 for the game.

The Wizards dropped their 3rd scrimmage game but the young guys continue to show good signs of development.

Bonga: 9pts, 3 assists, 3 rebs 

Brown: 12pts, 3 assists, 8 rebs

Bryant: 12pts, 2 assists, 4 rebs

Rui: 19 pts, 3 assists, 3 rebs

Napier: 16pts, 4 assists, 2 rebs
 

Robinson: 18pts, 3 assists, 4 rebs

Wagner: 11pts, 2 assists, 7 rebs

Edited July 27, 2020 by turtle28

[turtle28]

If you go to the second page you can see the progress the young guys are showing, particularly Robinson, Napier & Rui. They’re looking nice.

Edited July 27, 2020 by turtle28

[turtle28]

 

[turtle28]

 

[turtle28]

Wizards are losing to the Suns 76-63  mid way through the 3rd quarter which we actually want to see bc we want to have a top 10 pick in the draft but some of the young guys are playing well:

Robinson: 13 pts in the 1st half (5/5, 2/2 from 3), 1 assist, 1 reb

TBJ: 11 pts, 1 assist

Rui: 12 pts, 1 assist, 6 rebs

Bryant: 9 pts, 1 assist, 5 rebs

Bonga: 7 pts, 1 assist, 2 rebs

Napier is not having a good shooting day. He’s 3/11, 0/4 from 3. It’s really odd from him, he is having the worst game I’ve seen since he came to the Wizards.

Edited July 31, 2020 by turtle28

[turtle28]

Rui has 16 pts & rebs through 3 quarters. He’s really looking good. It’s going to be fun to watch him, Wall & Beal together next year and for hopefully the next 3 years of Wall’s contract. I hope Beal stays too.

Jerome Robinson has 17 pts, 3 three pointers.

Edited July 31, 2020 by turtle28

[turtle28]

 

[turtle28]

Rui: 21 pts, 8 rebs 

TBJ: 15 pts

J. Robinson: 20 pts, (4/6 from 3)

[turtle28]

Wizards win! Wizards win and they kick up the 10th seed so that means a higher draft pick.

Thomas Bryant w/ 26 pts & 9 rebs.

 

[turtle28]

So @e16bball, I’ve been thinking lately, what can the Wizards do w/o trading Wall or Beal to improve for next season and have a team that Wall/Beal can at least win a playoff series with?

One thing they could do is trade one or a few of their young pieces for another teams SF or C?

I don’t know exactly who’s available, but if there’s any way the Wizards could trade Troy Brown & another young piece for a 3 & D SF for a center like Robert Williams or Enes Kanter, that would be nice.

Kanter seems more likely, and while he’s not a great starting center, he has shown to be capable to average near a double double a game, rebound and play solid defense. He could be Wall’s new Gortat. Kanter proved he could be that last year in the playoffs for the Trailblazers.

If Kanter & Bryant are splitting minutes at center, Kanter can probably get us 12-13 ppg & 8-9 rebs a game next year in 20-25 minutes.

As far as the NBA draft goes, it will probably go like this:

1. GS - James Wiseman, C, Memphis (either w/ their pick or through trade down).
 

I think he’s the guy they’ll want as an athletic center who can D & rebound. They’ll have Curry, Thompson & Wiggins as their guards/wings, they still have Draymond as Mr. Do Everything. They’re back to being contenders next year.

2. CLE - Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
 

The Cavs getting Edwards to go w/Sexton gives them one of the best young backcourts in the league and quite possibly the best backcourt of the future w/in 5 years.

3. MIN - Ali Toppin, SF, Dayton

After trading away Wiggins for DeAngelo Russell, they need to add a SF to replace him. Enter Toppin who is an instant contributor and one of the best day 1 ready players who can start and contribute right away. Along with Russell & KAT it gives them a nice young big 3.

4. ATL - Deni Avdija, SF

They have Kevin Huerter & Danielle Hunter as wings, but Avdija is a do it all Euro who is compared to Turkgalou. He’d be a good versatile piece for them to add.

5. DET - Killian Hayes, PG
 

It’s between Hayes and Ball for this pick, I think Det won’t want to deal with Lavar & I think Lavar will want LaMelo to be in NY City. I also think the Knicks will want Ball and will probably trade up to get him. They may trade up with the Warriors or swap picks so to say so that the Knicks do get their man, and GS gets the defensive minded athletic center they need as well as another bench/depth piece in this trade. The Warriors could also get Taj Gibson back in this trade and a shooter like Wayne Ellington to back up Klay Thompson for 10-15 MPG.
 

Anyways, Det gets a heck of a PG prospect too.

6. NYK - LaMelo Ball, PG

As I said before, I think somehow someway Ball ends up in NYC. They’ll want him to promote the team and the future and Lavar will want LaMelo in NYC. It may take a trade with Golden State but, I definitely think this is going to happen.

7. CHI - Tyrese Halliburton, PG, Iowa St.

Best player on the board, a future back court of him or Cobi White at PG & LaVine at SG will be great for the Bulls w/ Otto at SF, Markkenen at PF and Wendell Carter at C looks solid for their future.

8. CHAR - Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
 

Best player on the board. He’s a great defensive athletic center who’s a good scorer too but, his offense does need some work.

9. WAS - Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn or Devin Vassell, SF/SG, Florida State

This would be a great outcome for the Wizards, having their pick of possibly  Okongwu as a strong D & rebounding C or a SF like Okoro or Vassell available with their 9th pick would be a good option. Okoro probably can’t start day 1 or Vassell but, Okoro is an athletic strong slasher at 6’6 220 lbs who finishes well at the rim and plays strong defense which is something the Wizards badly need. Okoro needs to work on his shooting. He has good touch but he needs to improve his mechanics.

If the Wizards take Okoro or Vassell, they’re still going to have to sign or trade for a 3 & D SF and a defensive minded athletic C.

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/isaac-okoro/

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NBA Comparison: Caron Butler/Justin Anderson

Strengths: Fits the prototype physically of an NBA small forward with his 6’6 220 lb frame and strong athletic ability, and he uses his size well to compliment his playing style … A good finisher at the rim off 1 or both feet, and is able to convert through contact and with either hand effectively …  Has decent length for a wing with a 6’8.5 wingspan and 8’4.5 standing reach … Flashes good touch to complete plays around the rim on drives when he’s unable to score on dunks … Capable of highlight finishes where he utilizes his great explosiveness and strength to power through contact … Has a lot of composure and confidence for a freshman, and looks the part as a no nonsense future pro, with focus and determination … A slasher with the ball in his hands, shows good body control, strength and has enough juice in his 1st step off the dribble to get in the lane with effectiveness in the NBA … Seems to be a high IQ player, generally plays to his strengths on both ends and doesn’t make a ton of risky decisions … Moves well without the ball, actively looking to cut and score easy points on the weakside … Only 19 years old and already is a pretty promising defender due to his sound fundamentals and active feet … Flashes good timing coming up with help side blocks, and also is pretty good at rotating to take charges as well … Is able to defend on the wing and switch to defend against some small ball 4s, doing an great job of containing dribble penetration even against quicker and athletic players in college…Has the frame to be able to work through screens off the ball…Willing passer and an unselfish player…Solid player, the type who will handle his role with a workmanlike approach, possesses winning traits and doesn’t appear to be “high maintenance” … Born in late January of 2001, he’s one of the younger prospects in this year’s draft …

Weaknesses: Okoro is a work in progress when it comes to his skill level offensively … Is more effective the closer he is to the rim, and shot a below average 28% from 3 in his Fr season … While his touch is good, his mechanics are inconsistent as he is often affected by closeouts and contests … Will be made to prove that he can be a threat and hit open shots from 3 point range, and his upside and offensive value with coincide with his ability to improve his jumper … His mid-range game is poor at the moment, becomes ineffective when his initial driving lanes are cut off … Sometimes is apprehensive about shooting even when there is room, passing up shots or driving into the defense for lower percentage shots … Also struggles from the FT line for a wing prospect, shooting a mediocre 67% in 2019-2020 … Doesn’t have much creativity to his Isolation game, more of a straight line slasher who becomes less effective/more turnover prone the more he dribbles … Somewhat rudimentary as a ball-handler in the half court, though he showed a willingness to create when called upon … He often got stripped by off the ball defenders when he attempted multiple moves in isolation … Just decent as a shot blocker and ball thief; seems to prefer to work as a solid, lower risk team defender as opposed to a gambling, playmaking defender … There is optimism that he can develop into a “Swiss Army knife” type of player, but there is work to be done on all levels of his offensive repertoire to fulfill that potential as he doesn’t have any standout skills, aside from athleticism, on that end of the court just yet … Was showing signs of becoming a star but still more of a complimentary guy in his first year at Auburn, can he be a star at the NBA level, he’s likely to be drafted with that in mind based on draft projections, though he had not reached that level in college … if he’s able to tone his frame, could gain additional speed and quickness …

Overall: Okoro is a young prospect coming off a promising Freshman season for a very good Auburn team, putting up averages of 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, and 1 bpg … He is a good athlete with good size and strength, and will be able to play and defend multiple positions at the next level … His defense is currently ahead of his offense at this stage in his development, and he will need to improve upon his shooting and overall effectiveness in a half court offense to reach his potential as a prospect … Still, he put up 12 ppg in his 1st season in major college hoops with a raw skill set on a veteran team, offering optimism that he can build his budding skills into even greater production … At the least, he should develop into a prospect who has value as a solid, versatile NBA defender but he could potentially develop into a valuable player if he can stick some open shots and continue to finish well in the paint …

 

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/devin-vassell/

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NBA Comparison: Kelly Oubre/Kent Bazemore

Strengths: One of the most athletic wings in this year’s NBA draft … Shows a lot of promise as a wing that can contribute on both ends of the floor … High flyer. Explosive leaper. When he has an opening to the basket, regularly finishes with highlight dunks … Smooth offensive game, makes it look easy … Fluid athlete who runs the floor well … Good length, Possesses a near 7-foot wingspan … Has an athletic body … Shot 41% from three in both of his seasons at Florida State (knocking down 19 and 48 in his two seasons) … Hit 1.5 threes per game over a full college season, a solid sample size to project his ability as a shooter and scorer at the next level … Showed vast improvement from his freshman year, (4.5 to 12.7 ppg) after receiving a much greater opportunity to be a focal point of the offense … Shows the ability to handle the ball and create offense off the dribble … Can pull up off the dribble and knock down shots consistently … Mid-range game showed solid improvement as a sophomore. Adept at improvising on drives and creating shots when there are openings … Has a go to move with his step back jumper, that he utilizes well to create space for shots … High release point on his shot is a positive … Wiry strong. Plays stronger than his frame and doesn’t get affected much by contact … Very good rebounder considering his thin frame, 5.1 rebounds per game stands out as a wing playing 28 min per game … Has a reputation for being a tough competitor … Unselfish player who passes willingly and is an underrated passer … A competitor who showed the ability to perform well in clutch situations.

 

 

Edited August 14, 2020 by turtle28