Wall possibly out for the season.
This team needs high character players to help mold their young future stars. They don't need a bad attitude big that shoots 41% from the field.
I'd take the best player available in the draft. This is a young team that needs leadership. Obviously a rookie won't provide that leadership, but Cousins is a leadership vacuum. The man is a cancer to his team and there's no guarantee he'll change his ways in DC.
If I were the Wiz I'd look to pick up a veteran leader to play a backup role and also to provide leadership for the young guys. JKidd would have been perfect... Fisher is another guy... Earl Watson is another possibility... This team needs high character guys to help mold their young stars' mentalities and there are several that will likely be available in the off season for low money. Don't risk a very valuable asset on a guy that has a likelihood of worsening the environment of an already depressed franchise.
Do you think the Wiz will consider such a move if Wall-Beal-Cousins would attract Calipari to go to D.C.?
Which brings me to 2 new questions:
1. Can Calipari succeed in the pros?
2. Are there any love/respect/loyalty among Wall/Cousins/Calipari where they would want it to work?
Does the trend of one and dones hinder the bonds between college teammates, compared to the past. Is one season playing with someone, dont matter the success obtained, enough time for these players to build that life-long bond that teammates, or even college classmates, usually have?
The season is lost anyway. I honestly thought the Wizards were a borderline playoff team to begin the season, but there is obviously no chance of that happening now so why not just make sure you get the best chances at the #1 pick. There isn't a big favorite right now anyway, but they will be guaranteed to have a top 4 pick.
Also why would Calipari go back to coaching in a league where his team will have to regularly play other teams that have comparable talent. Instead he can stay in college where he maximizes his incredible talent at recruiting players. Then with a team loaded with talent, he can have successful season after season. All while getting paid millions of dollars a year.
I don't think it has to do with egos of NBA players. It is just a better gig in college if you are a master recruiter.
I don't think they'd go with Zeller and if they did, he would not fit into that team.
They are looking at a more athletic/fast team with Wall, Beal, Vesely, Singleton, and Seraphin. I don't know how plugging in a back-to-the-basket and unathletic guy like Zeller would improve this team. I think they're better off going with a guy like Bazz or Noel, guys that can run with Wall.
While they have decent big vets in Nene and Okafor I would like to see them take Noel or Len. Rather than being thrown in the deep end with no guidence, they can learn from these 2 guys and take the time to learn about the pro game both on and off the court
CNNSI reports that there is possibly a chance that Wall does not return this season. We all know the only thing the Wizards will compete for is the top overall draft pick.
My question- How much would missing the entire season affect Wall's progression? Is he still the face of the franchise?
Also- what do you think they should do with the pick?
My thoughts, if they cannot get Zeller, I consider moving the pick for Cousins. Sacramento may be willing to part with him now, and many of us has psoted that we thought Cousins will eventually get it, just in another organization. I think playing along side Wall is his best shot.
Your thoughts?