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Washington Wizards (Last Year: 19-63)
Depth Chart:
C: Brendan Haywood/JaVale McGee/Fabricio Oberto
PF: Antawn Jamison/Andray Blatche
SF: Caron Butler/Mike Miller/Dominic McGuire
SG: Randy Foye/DeShawn Stevenson/Nick Young
PG: Gilbert Arenas/Mike James/Javaris
Crittenton
Head Coach: Flip Saunders (1st
year)
2009-2010 Team Salary: $77.9 million
Projected 2010-2011 Team
Salary: approximately $58.1 million
Off-Season Grade: Passed
Heading into this offseason,
the Wizards felt that when healthy, they were a playoff-caliber team
in the Eastern Conference. So instead of using their fifth pick
to draft a young player, Washington decided to deal the selection along with
a couple expendable post players to the T-Wolves for Randy Foye and
Mike Miller.
This acquisition adds two players
who can step in, contribute immediately, and help the Wizards get back to
the postseason. Foye has a chance to be Gilert Arenas’ running
mate in the backcourt and should be more effective playing off the ball
rather than running the point like he did in Minnesota. Miller
had the worst year of his career last season in Minnesota, but if he
can bounce back, could be a steal for the Wizards and help them improve
from their standing last year as the second-worst three-point shooting
team in the league. If not, he is in the final year of his contract
so it was worth the risk.
2009-2010 Outlook:
The health of this team will
be the major factor in their success this season. Two of their
starters, Arenas and Brendan Haywood, combined to play in just seven
games last season leaving a major void at the point and down low.
When playing at 100 percent, Agent Zero is one of the most dangerous scorers
in the NBA. With a healthy Arenas, Antawn Jamison and
Caron Butler, maybe only the Celtics have a better trio of scorers in
the Eastern Conference.
The depth of the roster should
be much stronger with the additions of Foye, Miller, and Fabricio Oberto.
Many, including myself, are expecting second-year big man JaVale McGee
to make a nice stride and become a bigger impact player inside.
If all cylinders are clicking at once, Washington could make a lot of
noise in the East.
Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:
Miller, Mike James, and Haywood all come off the books after this season, freeing up a little more than $22 million in cap space. Still, with the monster contracts of their big three, Washington should once again be well over the cap and have little offseason flexibility.
2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 16th
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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