Off-Season Game Plan: Wizards
6/23/2006 5:20:14 PM
Getting into the playoffs in 2005-2006 can be seen as a successful season for the Washington Wizards, and with a few tweaks, the Wizards could get better.
Of course, they were also only four games ahead of ninth-place Philadelphia so the wrong tweaks could return the Wizards to Lottery Land.
The Wizards' meal ticket right now is point guard Gilbert Arenas, who has become one of the most productive guards in the league. While he can get a little shot-happy some nights, he also can go for 40 at any time and there aren't any others capable of carrying the Wizards offense the way Arenas does.
Where the Wizards have been left wanting lately is at shooting guard, where Jarvis Hayes was injured for much of last season and Antonio Daniels has proven that he's a much better fit as a sixth man. The Wizards have played a big lineup with Caron Butler and Jared Jeffries on the wing, but having a viable three-point threat should be one of the team's objectives this summer. Mike James or David Wesley would be possibilities for the Wizards to address this need on the free agent market.
The forward spots are in pretty good shape with Antawn Jamison and Butler. So long as the Wizards can retain the services of Jeffries, who is starting to find his niche as a role player, the frontcourt is in pretty good shape.
There could be turnover in the middle, though. Rumours have been gaining momentum that big Brendan Haywood could find a new address this summer. While Haywood is a legit 7-footer, he also took a step back last season and the Wizards could certainly find a taker. New Jersey, Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio and Portland could all be in the market for a center.
Besides, the Wizards have enough options offensively that they might be more inclined to go with an up-tempo style, that would not necessarily suit a plodding big man like Haywood.
General manager Ernie Grunfeld is happy with the progress the Wizards have made, telling the Washington Examiner, "We have a solid nucleus and we're a very young team. We're not where we want to be, but the foundation is solid."
He's right. The Wizards have the kind of talent to continue being a competitive franchise, but if they are going to make a push to be a 50-win team -- to take that next step -- they need to find some better perimeter shooting and show a greater commitment at the defensive end (the Wizards were the league's third-highest scoring team and the sixth-worst for points allowed).
GM/COACH Ernie Grunfeld/Eddie Jordan
CENTERS
Returning: Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas, Peter Ramos. Free Agents: None
FORWARDS
Returning: Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Andray Blatche. Free Agents: Jared Jeffries (RFA)
GUARDS
Returning: Gilbert Arenas, Antonio Daniels, Jarvis Hayes. Free Agents: Awvee Storey (RFA), Donell Taylor (RFA)
DRAFT
18th - Maurice Ager, Thabo Sefolosha, Hilton Armstrong. 48th
FREE AGENCY Payroll: $56M
TRADE MARKET Haywood (four years, $21M), Thomas (four years, $26.5M), Jeffries (RFA)
