2010 NBA Draft & Offseason Preview - Washington Bullets

With the first pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Washington {Bullets} select... JOHN WALL, guard, University of Kentucky.

In 1968 the team drafted Wes Unseld - who coincidentally wore Wall's #11. He would go on to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season. And with the above words, the start of the franchise's most prosperous offseason in over 40 years officially begins. The team also has two more draft picks in the top 35 and a ton of cap space to work with. So without further ado, here is the first team I'll be playing GM for.

Draft
-Round 1 Pick 1 (1) - John Wall. A city rejoices in dance.
-Round 1 Pick 30 (30) - I'm looking for either a combo guard or a big body down low (Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee make up the softest frontcourt in the NBA). There are a number of middling big-men available, and none of them really warrant being selected this high as every single one has too many red flags to count. The guy I'm praying for is Dominique Jones, a 6'4" guard out of South Florida who can play and guard both positions at a very high level, but he shouldn't last this long. I also wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Lance Stephenson, who showed up to the combine in great shape and could EASILY be a great value (if he falls).
-Round 2 Pick 5 (35) - Best player available. The team needs to be upgraded virtually everywhere. Maybe one of those middling big-men. Or if a guard wasn't selected at 30, look at a guy like Willie Warren.

Free Agency
Honestly? I'd say do nothing. Nobody willing to come to DC this year will be worth the money, so I see no reason to waste any. John Wall should be enough to sell tickets so there's no need to overspend on Rudy Gay or David Lee, and anyone expecting an immediate winner is a fool. I have a feeling Larry Hughes will be back, and I won't mind, even if he shouldn't see the court for more than 5 minutes every few games. Maybe even go ahead and exercise Josh Howard's team option and either keep him for the year or use his contract as trade bate if the right deal comes along. And both Kevin Durant (a DC native) and Carmelo Anthony (Baltimore) could both theoretically hit the market next year. Hmmm...

2010-2011 Season Outlook
Exciting to say the least. John Wall and Gilbert Arenas in the same backcourt is a dream come true. Who cares if it doesn't work? I don't. Wall is a lock to tear the league to shreds, and it only gets better for Gil. Sure, Blatche is a child, and McGee has the toughness of one, and none of the top free agents want to play here. JOHN WALL IS GOING TO BE A {BULLET} AND GILBERT ARENAS IS HEALTHY (*knock on wood*).

Gilbert Arenas Returning to DC

So Ernie Grunfeld is saying that the team will NOT void Gilbert Arenas' contract, and he will be back in uniform next year. Seeing as how I've not only come to grips with his seemingly inevitable departure but began to look forward to the possibilities that this extra money affords us, I'm very confused about what to think about all of this. On one hand, Gil is my guy. That won't change. But on the other, he's owed nearly $18 million next year. Having that money available to us for this, of all offseasons, would be HUGE. So how am I supposed to feel?

Without Gilbert's contract we could make a HUGE splash in free agency. There are quite a few players who will be available, as everyone knows, and DC will be an attractive situation to anyone. With a few quality young players (Blatche, McGee, Thornton), a possible top 5 draft pick (plus Cleveland's first rounder), Ted Leonsis' wallet, and the opportunity to live in DC, it's tough to really argue against signing with the Bullets.

So what could the team do with all that money? Well for starters, throw it at two of LeBron, Wade and Bosh (we would have the money to do so). Or sign one, and make offers to the likes of Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, David Lee, and fill out the roster a little more nicely with the extra money (hopefully would include resigning Mike Miller). Or even just go after one of Johnson, Gay or Lee and do more than just fill out a roster; put a solid team together.

Of course, there are issues with those plans of action. In the last one, we'd have a very mediocre roster, and would have to hit it big in the draft. And as for the plans of going after the three really marquee guys, if they choose other teams, we'd miss out on the 2nd tier of players, and be in a really tight bind. In all likelihood the team would overpay for someone like Manu Ginobili. Amare if we're lucky. And God forbid... Carlos Boozer. Basically, it could very easily turn into a NIGHTMARE situation.

In keeping Gil, the team still has money to spend. We could still afford to sign one max player, and adding LeBron would obviously be a real coup. Bosh too, tho I have my reservations, as I mentioned earlier. I wouldn't turn Wade away, but we wouldn't offer him a deal; him and Arenas would not fit together, unfortunately.

In actuality, there's very little chance of any of these guys choosing DC as their destination. As I said, Wade just won't fit, and I'd put him at a 10% chance he leaves Miami anyway (with only Chicago being the other possible destination). The 90% represents the likelihood that Wade stays because Pat Riley returns to the bench. LeBron is a good 70-30 going to NYC vs staying in Cleveland. Bosh is the only one who we'd have a shot at, and that's only because his situation is a little more up in the air.

So with the fact that Bosh is the only possible signing in mind, and knowing Bosh isn't gonna leave Toronto for anything but a good roster, we'll probably have the best shot at landing him with Arenas remaining on the roster.

In all likelihood we aren't landing any of those guys, with or without Arenas. And keep in mind, GILBERT ARENAS IS STILL A VERY GOOD PLAYER. He is probably the BEST player available to the team, unless you give Joe Johnson that title. And there are moves to be made on the FA market. Among the names,:
-Joe Johnson, who I mentioned, would be the most ideal fit of all the marquee names (outside of LeBron)
-Rudy Gay is young, from the area, and obviously talented. Not a great fit with Arenas and probably will be overvalued.
-David Lee is a 20-10 machine, but will most likely be a Knick with LeBron.
-Mike Miller isn't a name people will think of, but I've seen a player who looks like the jack-of-all-trades EVERY championship team has. Good fit with Arenas.
-Amare Stoudemire is the other obvious name to keep in mind. He visited DC last offseason and expressed interest in living and playing in the city. Not the best fit, but too talented to turn away. Similar to Rudy Gay, will come at a higher than deserved price.
-Carlos Boozer is a name that I have to mention, but if I can bear it I will renounce my fanhood of the Bullets if they sign Boozer.

Those are the big names available. As I said, I'd love to have Joe Johnson, and if we could somehow make him AND David Lee or Amare work, with Mike Miller too? Sublime.

(I'll do something on where I think all the FAs go as it gets closer to an appropriate time.)