Wizards trade Rashard Lewis, No. 46 draft pick to New Orleans for Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza

[jonathanlambert33]

I dont know what you're talking bout Nola, but with a good coach, Okafor-Nene-Ariza-Beal-Wall makes the playoffs

No it isn't.

Chicago (maybe not as a high seed but they should get in if they don't make one of those moves), Miami, Indiana, Atlanta, New York, and Philly are all locks. With Doc Rivers, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Avery Bradley, and the return of a few other guys (Bass, Green possibly) Boston will probably be back in. That's 7 right there.

So that leaves one more spot. Does that Washington team beat out a Cleveland team with another year of experience and two added rooks in a deep draft? I don't think so. Does Washington beat out a Milwaukee team with Jennings, Ellis, and good role players like Gooden, Illyasova (if he resigns), Dunleavy, Mbah a Moute? Again, I don't think, especially when that team was only four games out last year and will be adding another young talented guy.

Not to mention that team would still lack any outside shooters. Any guys that can really establish themselves in the post. Only one real standout defender. You may be able to call Beal a good shooter, but I don't see him lighting the league on fire offensively like Kyrie and I also see him struggling defensively some. John Wall still has no outside jump shot, inconsistent decision making, and is still a poor defender. Trevor Ariza is a good perimeter defender, but brings little outside of transition on offense. Terrible shot selection, has no range on his shot (31.7% on his career) and will take shots away from a guy like Beal. I like Nene, but lets be honest here, he is a solid player but not a great player. Poor shooter, only a solid defender (great p&r defender) isn't a stand out rebounder. The ultimate role player, I guess. Then Emeka Okafor, who's tough to describe. If he takes a few steps away from the rim he's pretty ineffective offensively and defensively. He's pretty good around the basket area though, though he's a little soft offensively.

Their bench? Jordan "Shoot first, shoot second, shoot third, shoot fourth" Crawford? Pass. Maybe Jan Vesley improves? Booker is decent I guess.

They'll be a little better, but not good enough for the playoffs. And would anyone call Randy Wittman a good coach?

 

[elcheato]

New Orleans having cap space isn't that great a thing. They're going to end up overpaying for someone like Dragic or Ilyasova.

 

[Pugz]

but magic dragic is better than kyle "the great" lowry

 

[jonathanlambert33]

New Orleans having cap space isn't that great a thing. They're going to end up overpaying for someone like Dragic or Ilyasova.

I think the cap space is more of a next offseason thing, as in this trade won't fully be felt until next year. I could be wrong though, I think even when we do buy out Lewis we'll still have his 14M count against the cap.

Honestly, I know they like Dragic, but I don't think they really hand out any big contracts this offseason aside from Eric Gordon and MAYBE Carl Landry (who wouldn't qualify as a big contract).

 

[Mexi]

but magic dragic is better than kyle "the great" lowry

magic dragic. good one

 

[Elite]

99.999999% pugz didn't come up with "Magic Dragic" mexi...

 

[Mexi]

it's still nice
:kobe:

 

[Elite]

Also pretty widely used, I'm shocked that was the first time you heard it

 

[Mexi]

im shocked too because i love nicknames

 

[Pugz]

i don't take credit for that. strange cause i thought mexi said it years ago lol

 

[BwareDWare94]

but magic dragic is better than kyle "the great" lowry

Goran Dragic better than Kyle Lowry? That's nothing but debatable. I'm not sure which I'd pick, but I wouldn't say that one is definitively better than the other.

 

[Elite]

In 36 games in his career as a starter, Dragic averages 16.7 PPG on 48% from the field and 37% from 3 with 8.1 APG and 4.1 RPG.

He's a stud.