The Wizards have had the same general manager in Ernie
Grunfeld since 2003 and while the Wizards have enjoyed the recent success of getting to the 2nd round, some of
the decisions have been dubious.
Here is how Ernie Grunfeld managed to pass over the Golden State Warriors who started in game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The Wizards at the time had the number 5 pick. The Wizards who had failed to make the playoffs since 1998 were desperate to get back there and opted to trade their first round pick, Jerry Stackhouse, and Christian Laetner for 6th man of the Year winner Antawn Jamison.
Jamison was solid, made the all-star team twice, and helped lead Washington to four straight playoff appearances. Still, Iguodala will go down as a better player, at least since 2004. While he only made the all-star team once compared to Jamison, he is still a much better defender which earned him a spot on the 2012 US Olympic basketball team. Iguodala has shown a willingness to come off the bench which has helped conserved his energy for the postseason to guard the likes of LeBron James. Jamison, on the other hand was unwilling to do so in Washington which was a reason why the Dallas Mavericks traded him, and to the Wizards’ detriment Jamison offensive numbers in postseason more often than not dipped which resulted in the Wizards only getting to the 2nd round once. In the meantime, Iguodala has managed to raise his level of play this postseason and if the Warriors go on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers; he may become the Finals MVP.
The Wizards find themselves owning the number 5
pick in 2009 NBA draft. The Wizards ultimately pass on
Steph Curry in an effort to make
one last run with veterans- they trade expiring contracts and the #5 pick for
Mike Miller and Randy Foye. The
Timberwolves use the pick to draft Ricky Rubio; Steph Curry falls to the
Warriors at number 7.
In 2011, the Wizards find themselves with the 6th pick. The Wizards select Jan Vesley, who most notable achievement in the NBA may be making out with his girlfriend. Klay Thompson is selected with the #7 pick by Golden State.
Vesley is currently out of the league. Klay Thompson made his first all-star appearance this season and for all intents and purposes is the second best shooting guard behind runner up MVP James Harden. What makes the story worse for Wizards fans is that the Wizards were actually debating to take Klay Thompson according to former coach Flip Saunders.
The Wizards
also manage to pass on Draymond Green with their second round pick. The Wizards chose Tomas Santoransky, who was a former teammate and fellow country man of Jan Vesley. While Santoransky does have potential as a pro, he has yet to play this season. Draymond Green in the meantime, made the all NBA first team, and probably should have won defensive player of the year this season.
Andre Iguodala (via sportsline.com)
The Wizards at the time had the number 5 pick. The Wizards who had failed to make the playoffs since 1998 were desperate to get back there and opted to trade their first round pick, Jerry Stackhouse, and Christian Laetner for 6th man of the Year winner Antawn Jamison.
Jamison was solid, made the all-star team twice, and helped lead Washington to four straight playoff appearances. Still, Iguodala will go down as a better player, at least since 2004. While he only made the all-star team once compared to Jamison, he is still a much better defender which earned him a spot on the 2012 US Olympic basketball team. Iguodala has shown a willingness to come off the bench which has helped conserved his energy for the postseason to guard the likes of LeBron James. Jamison, on the other hand was unwilling to do so in Washington which was a reason why the Dallas Mavericks traded him, and to the Wizards’ detriment Jamison offensive numbers in postseason more often than not dipped which resulted in the Wizards only getting to the 2nd round once. In the meantime, Iguodala has managed to raise his level of play this postseason and if the Warriors go on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers; he may become the Finals MVP.
Steph Curry
The Wizards were pressured to make such a
move because Abe Pollin who would end p passing away in less than a year, wanted
the Wizards to go for a championship run. Although perhaps the bigger reason was that move saved the Wizards $2.5 million in the short term. Ricky Rubio did not want to come and play for Washington since they already had Gilbert Arenas, and ended up sitting out 3 seasons before ultimately joining up with the Timberwolves. Steph Curry would have been a logical selection. Sources say that the Wizards had Steph Curry rated ahead of Hasheem Thabeet.
Grunfeld justified the trade stating that guys like Miller and Foye could help open up the court. Problem of course was that Gilbert Arenas was never going to return to being a top 10 player again after multiple knee surgeries. Miller was often too reluctant to shoot and was a poor defender. The Wizards attempted to play Foye at point guard which turned out to be uninspiring experiment. Sure Miller could be a role player on a championship team like with the Miami Heat, but the Wizards were fooling themselves in thinking they had the talent to compete for a championship given that they were one of the worst teams in the league. Ultimately, Steph Curry could have proven to be a useful given that he did manage to become the 2014-15 MVP. At least the trade worked out so badly that the Wizards ended up being terrible and managed to get John Wall with the number 1 pick in 2010.
Grunfeld justified the trade stating that guys like Miller and Foye could help open up the court. Problem of course was that Gilbert Arenas was never going to return to being a top 10 player again after multiple knee surgeries. Miller was often too reluctant to shoot and was a poor defender. The Wizards attempted to play Foye at point guard which turned out to be uninspiring experiment. Sure Miller could be a role player on a championship team like with the Miami Heat, but the Wizards were fooling themselves in thinking they had the talent to compete for a championship given that they were one of the worst teams in the league. Ultimately, Steph Curry could have proven to be a useful given that he did manage to become the 2014-15 MVP. At least the trade worked out so badly that the Wizards ended up being terrible and managed to get John Wall with the number 1 pick in 2010.
Klay Thompson
In 2011, the Wizards find themselves with the 6th pick. The Wizards select Jan Vesley, who most notable achievement in the NBA may be making out with his girlfriend. Klay Thompson is selected with the #7 pick by Golden State.
Sadly, Vesley NBA career is over
as well as his relationship with his girlfriend
Vesley is currently out of the league. Klay Thompson made his first all-star appearance this season and for all intents and purposes is the second best shooting guard behind runner up MVP James Harden. What makes the story worse for Wizards fans is that the Wizards were actually debating to take Klay Thompson according to former coach Flip Saunders.
Harrison Barnes
The Wizards were right in taking Bradley Beal at #3, at least over Harrison Barnes at #7. Although, the Warriors pick at #7 did turn out to be useful starter while Grunfeld missed out in 2011 by Jan Vesley.
Draymond Green
Takeaways
Of course no team’s management is perfect. The Golden State Warriors did manage to take
Ekpe Udoh over Paul George back in 2010.
Nonetheless, it is not surprising why a lot of Washington Wizards fans
are still calling for Ernie Grunfeld, even though the Wizards did manage to
make it to the 2nd round this season.
There are lessons that the Wizards or any NBA team should
follow. The Wizards should go for the
best player available rather than a need. Trading for veterans can get you into the playoffs but drafting well could put yourself in championship contention. Ultimately, a lot of Wizards hope that Grunfel will draft better especially under the new ownership of Ted Leonsis.
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