The Wizards jumped into the trading waters on Wednesday, acquiring
veterans Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza from the New Orleans Hornets.
Forget a singular focus on rebuilding: With this move, the Wizards have put themselves into the Eastern Conference playoff mix, maybe.
The cost?
Technically, Rashard Lewis’ buyout worthy contract and the
No. 46 pick in the 2012 draft. Realistically, the team’s salary cap flexibility
for the next two seasons and possible playing time for several recent first
round picks.
As an NBA scout described the deal to CSNwashington upon learning about the trade, “You went from a youth movement trying to build from the
draft to taking on money and thinking you can get to the eighth spot and next
year get into the playoffs."
Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld downplayed the trade’s impact on plans for the June 28 NBA Draft (“It doesn’t affect the draft at all."). We'll see, but Florida wing guard Bradley Beal - myprediction with the third overall pick before the trade - is now the logical front-runner. Washington retained its other second-round selection, No. 32 overall.
Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld downplayed the trade’s impact on plans for the June 28 NBA Draft (“It doesn’t affect the draft at all."). We'll see, but Florida wing guard Bradley Beal - myprediction with the third overall pick before the trade - is now the logical front-runner. Washington retained its other second-round selection, No. 32 overall.
Certainly, from a talent standpoint, the Wizards helped
themselves with the deal, though hardly in a "Big 3" sort of way. The newcomers each bring a defensive mentality and
are all by accounts solid citizens. The 6-foot-10 Okafor, who turns 30 this season, remains a
viable interior presence eight years into his career though injuries (sore left knee) limited him
to 27 games in 2011-12 (on his post-trade conference call, Grunfeld said the
players still must pass their physical exams).
Though he averages a double-double for his career, Okafor's numbers last season – 9.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.0
block – all represent career lows. With his $13.49 million salary next season, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft moves past Nene
($13 million) as the highest paid player on the team.
Despite his time in the spotlight with the trophy-raising Los
Angeles Lakers a few seasons back, Ariza is only 26 and coming off a bit of a
rebound season. His athletic presence
on the wing will help John Wall in the open court. His career 31.7 percent from
beyond the arc does not address the team’s perimeter shooting woes. This deal overall does arguably more harm than good offensivel
Though Lewis remains a solid locker room presence, injuries sapped
his onetime potent abilities. His days with the organization were numbered. We
knew this. The question was simply how he would, entering the final year of his
deal, receive his walking papers; as part of a trade, a hefty buyout (approximately
$13.7 million) or by way of the NBA’s one-time only amnesty clause.
By doing the deal and not writing Lewis a check, the Wizards
instead:
