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**Damian Necronamous** · 07-08-2005, 12:43 PM

If they don't sign Kwame, they'll be about $9M under the cap. That's plenty of money to pursue someone like Cuttino Mobley, Bobby Simmons or Ronald Murray. However, if the Wizards are smart, they'll sign and trade Kwame to another team. Possible suitors include the Knicks and Hawks. Washington would probably get an offer of Michael Sweetney and Malik Rose from the Knicks. The players are nice, but it would eat into their thin amount of cap room and Malik Rose doesn't exactly have a pretty-looking contract. The Hawks could offer a straight up swap of Al Harrington for Kwame Brown. Seeing as how Atlanta has a glut of SGs and SFs, that's something they would jump all over.

If the Wizards are smart, though, they'll leave signing Brown to the end of their offseason to-do list. They should use their $9M in cap room to sign a PF and a SG close to contracts close to the MLE, then sign and trade Kwame to the Hawks afterwards. If they play their cards right, they could still end up with...

PG: Gilbert Arenas...Steve Blake
SG: Ronald Murray...Jarvis Hayes
SF: Antawn Jamison...Al Harrington
PF: Reggie Evans...Jared Jeffries
C: Brendan Haywood...Etan Thomas

Ronald Murray and Reggie Evans would both fit perfectly in Washington. Murray would fill Hughes' scoring role and Evans would be a rebounding beast to give the Wizards a tough frontcourt.

Thoughts? Ideas?

**BCH** · 07-08-2005, 01:13 PM

I am not 100 percent sure, but I think with the cap hold on Kwame, the Wizards hold the MLE. I am not quite sure how the CBA handles kwame leaving, and the Wizards not matching and the general timing of their use of the MLE.

What I would like to see is the Wizards either let Kwame go, and then use the cap room to get a solid SG and PF, or to sign and trade Kwame to get a top flight SG or PF, and then use the MLE to fill the other gap.

I am not a fan of the Ronald Murray and Reggie Evans moves personally, and would prefer to see Simmons back, and a solid and rugged PF. Worst case I would rather get someone like Reef, and a rugged SG.

I understand Reef is not going to be a great defender, but he can board and that will help us start some fast breaks, and that will help our defense and shooting percentages. I think Reef can replace Larry's steals with his rebounds. The scoring would be a wash. Here are the two potential lineups:

PG: Arenas/Blake
SG: Simmons/Hayes
SF: Jamison/Jeffries
PF: Jeffries/Ruffin
Ce: Haywood/Etan

Jeffries as the starting PF is not all that great. I think Simmons and Hayes are actually pretty close in ability.

PG: Arenas/Blake
SG: Hayes/?
SF: Jamison/Jeffries
PF: Shareef/Ruffin/Jeffries
Ce: Haywood/Etan

That lineup leaves the Wizards a little weak with their 3rd guard, coming off the bench, Blake. I would like to see a good SG defender like Trenton Hassel be able to play some minutes. If Jay Williams can play maybe use him to replace Juan? Though I am not sure that will work with Blake.

These are just some thoughts.

onetenthlag · 07-08-2005, 01:19 PM

I'm trying to figure out who's going to replace Hughes' defense. His ability to get in the passing lane was a major driving force behind Eddie Jordan's defensive philosophy. Hayes, Murray, Simmons, and others are not close to Hughes' abilities in this area.

**CP26** · 07-08-2005, 01:55 PM

Jamal Crawford and Sweetney for Kwame and a filler

**BCH** · 07-08-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onetenthlag

I'm trying to figure out who's going to replace Hughes' defense. His ability to get in the passing lane was a major driving force behind Eddie Jordan's defensive philosophy. Hayes, Murray, Simmons, and others are not close to Hughes' abilities in this area.

The Wizards can b e fine in this area, but they will have to approach the game differently. Hughes helped generate fast breaks with his gambles, and this helped the offense which stagnated in the half court somewhat due to Hughes's unwillingness to pass into the post. So if the Wizards can get a better shooter, that will make better decisions with the ball in terms of shot selection and passing to the post, the Wizards can live without the steals. Overall team defense should be about the same with or without Hughes.

Before last season there was the thought that Hayes could play the SG spot, and If the Wizards get more production from the PF spot, I think they can offset what they lost in Hughes.

Another PF idea is Stromile Swift. He seems to be adequate at playing a cleanup roll under the board without having too many plays called for him. He also can block some shots. I don't know where his head is at sometimes though.

Just say no to Crawford. Sweetney also would be a bust on this team. No thanks to both.

**CP26** · 07-08-2005, 02:19 PM

How about Finley since some people are saying Dallas is going to release him??

futuristxen · 07-08-2005, 02:38 PM

Getting Flip Murray would be a good catch.

**Damian Necronamous** · 07-08-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CP26

How about Finley since some people are saying Dallas is going to release him??

There's another good option.

And about Simmons, I watched a lot of Clippers games last season and I really don't think he is a SG. Bobby really is a true SF.

**BCH** · 07-08-2005, 03:00 PM

The Wizards need to take this opportunity to better their situation rather than replace Hughes with an inferior replacement.

Flip Murray is an inferior replacement.

Finley might have been decent a few years ago, but is really showing some age.

SGs come and go, and it should not be too hard to find a replacement down the line. I think the Wizards would be better served to remove the emphasis on the big 3 concept, and move to shore up the interior. Kwame Brown would be great, if there was a way to get him to play up to his potential in Washington, but mark my words, if he comes back the fans in Washingotn will blame him for Hughes leaving. Losing Kwame for nothing might hurt too, but it will certainly be better than Signing and Trading him for useless dreck like Crawford and Sweetney.

Someone mentioned Marquis Daniels. I guess that name would work, though I admit I do not know his availability or his contract. Jaric is a thought, though is he a good enough defender?

I am at the point I say we start Hayes, and concentrate on PF with S&T Kwame or letting him go, and using cap room to get one of the PFs out there. Too bad I am unimpressed with everything available. If only Jeffries could add a little more bulk and some offense and hayes developed some consistency, then the Wizards would have depth issues, not starter issues.

**MJG** · 07-08-2005, 08:46 PM

Well, Simmons is out -- 5 years, $47 million from Bucks

Geez, that's like $9.5 million a year. For Bobby Simmons. I was thinking maybe $7 per or so. Also, doesn't Milwaukee already run Redd and Mason at their swing spots? Certainly doesn't hurt to have such a solid backup, but I wonder if it's the best situation for either party.

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