Optimism for the Wizards

Since the end of last season, the Washington Wizards have resigned Andray Blatche and DeShawn Stevenson, drafted Nick Young and Dominic McGuire, and signed last season's draft pick, Oleksiy Pecherov. Jarvis Hayes has been the only significant player who has left the team, and he had his least productive season of his career last year.

So why are so many people predicting the Wizards to struggle to make it to the playoffs this season? With the Magic, Celtics, and Bobcats making significant additions and the Bulls, Heat, Nets, and Knicks expected to be better, the Wizards have not made drastic enough changes for many to believe they will improve on their 41-win season.

However, from the start of the season to the last game Antawn Jamison played before going down with an injury on January 30, 2007, the Washington Wizards were 26-17 and had the best record in the Eastern Conference. Jamison sprained his left knee in that game against the Pistons and was forced to miss all of February. During those first 43 games, the Wizards ranked second in points per game, second in turnovers per game, eighth in three-point percentage, and fourth in fast break points. This season, they return a health group of key players.

Additionally, Washington gets consistent scoring from three all-star caliber players in Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Jamison. The Wizards have a strong mix of young, talented players with Blatche, Pecherov, Young, McGuire, and Mike Hall. Darius Songaila and Antonio Daniels will provide valuable scoring off the bench for Washington this season, and Stevenson will guard the other teams’ best guard every night. Washington has a handful of large bodies to rebound and defend the post. Although they may be one talented post player short, the Wizards have plenty to be optimistic about this season.

Pistons Add Hayes to the Mix

Today, Pistons team president, Joe Dumars, confirmed that they have signed Jarvis Hayes. Hayes adds flexibility and depth to the roster and is still only 26 years old. Hayes had his most productive year in 2004-05, where he averaged 28.9 minutes per game, 10.2 points per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Hayes possesses good size and shoots the ball well from the outside. He does not have a great first step or superior elevation. Hayes shoots too frequently off the dribble and needs to take the ball to the basket aggressively more often. Hayes' size and strength allow him to defend small forwards well. Defending shooting guards can be a problem though sometimes because his lateral quickness is only mediocre. In order to be more than just a role player, Hayes needs to work on his offensive game. He needs to diversify his offensive abilities with more willingness to get to the basket and draw fouls. His shooting behind the perimeter could also gain more consistency in order to keep space between himself and the defender.

With Hayes, the Pistons have now added Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Cheick Samb, and Sammy Mejia since the end of last season. Additionally, they expect Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell to play more of a factor this season. I like what Dumars has done by being patient and adding pieces with limited risk and high reward. Outside of Darko Milicic, the Pistons have done a good job in developing talent internally rather than having to sign questionable free agents.

If the Pistons chose a brash approach and looked to move Rasheed Wallace after last season, it is highly unlikely that they would have been able to bring back a player with an equal skill level. Instead, Dumars hopes that bringing in more support around Detroit's experienced starting five will allow their core to save more energy for the playoffs.

Detroit most likely would still like to add one more big body upfront for the playoffs. Whether that is solved by bringing back Chris Webber or trading for someone, Dumars would probably feel more confident with one more veteran. Dumars should look to Minnesota where Juwan Howard is looking to be dealt. If Dumars offered Minnesota Ronald Dupree (expiring contract), Ronald Murray (expiring contract), a future first round pick, and the trade exception they received from the Carlos Delfino trade for Howard, then they would get the big, veteran body they need. This trade would give Minnesota even more to build on as they look to reshape their team after moving Kevin Garnett to Boston.

With veterans Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Antonio McDyess, Nazr Mohammed, Tayshaun Prince, and Wallace returning, Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell looking to make more of an impact, and Hayes and the other new additions to the team, the Pistons will have more depth than they have had in awhile. Dumars hopes that this group can get past the Eastern Conference finals and compete for the NBA Finals.

Free Agent Bargains Available

One day of free agency has gone by and already most of the top guys have come off the board. Rashard Lewis (Magic), Chauncey Billups (Pistons), Gerald Wallace (Bobcats), Vince Carter (Nets), Darko Milicic (Grizzlies), and Grant Hill (Suns) have all found homes. So what's left? Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao top the list for most people of remaining free agents, but I like a group of wing players in their mid-20's.

Today, I am going to discuss each one of these remaining free agents and what they can offer to a team.

Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Warriors, SG/SF

25, 6'6"

2006-07 Stats: 11.1 PPG 0.9 APG .67 SPG 4.5 RPG 26.9 MPG

Pietrus is an intriguing player with long arms and great quickness. He can shoot reasonably well from the outside, but is a poor ballhandler for his position which does not allow him to use his quickness well-enough as an offensive weapon. He does not see the floor well and often makes careless turnovers. Pietrus has the tools to be a shut-down defensive player, but has not reached this point yet. In the 2005-06 season, he missed significant time with a sprained MCL. At a young age, Pietrus can still become an impact player if he refines his skills on both sides of the floor. He could be a real steal for a team that does not need immediate scoring, but more of an athlete with potential. Peitrus is a restricted free agent, and should be able to get the full midlevel exception from a team. With the additions of Marco Belinelli and Brandan Wright, the Warriors may let Pietrus go.

Sasha Pavlovic, Cleveland Cavaliers, SG/SF
23, 6’7”
2006-07 Stats: 9.0 PPG, 1.6 APG, .82 SPG, 2.4 RPG, 22.9 MPG

Pavlovic has decent quickness and good size for his position, but has been inconsistent harnessing those abilities into an effective package. He can sometimes be a timid shooter and has a limited in-between game. This season, Pavlovic became a much better slasher to the basket, and had success in the second half of the season for Cleveland when playing next to Lebron James. In order to continue to improve, Pavlovic needs to limit his turnovers and continue to improve on defense. Like Pietrus, Pavlovic is also a restricted free agent. Pavlovic's contract status will likely depend on what happens with the Cavaliers other free agent, Anderson Varejo. If the Cavaliers bring back Varejo and decide they cannot fit Pavlovic onto the roster, many teams will be interested in the services of a young, scoring wing player like Pavlovic.

Matt Barnes, Golden State Warriors, SF
27, 6’7”
2006-07 Stats: 9.8 PPG, 2.1 APG, .96 SPG, 4.6 RPG, 23.9 MPG

Barnes made great strides this past season in his ability to score. He has gotten better at limiting the amount of turnovers he makes and also improved at the free throw line. He works hard and has a great willingness to defend and hustle. His jump shot was his greatest improvement from the 2005-06 season to the 2006-07 season. He needs to get better at finishing at the basket and could stand to gain strength. Barnes will never be great at creating his own shot, but he is a good player to bring off-the-bench to put points on the scoreboard. Some have questioned whether the success Barnes had last season was because of the new system ran by Warriors head coach, Don Nelson. I do not think that Barnes will be offered the midlevel exception by any team, but he will definitely improve on his minimal salary from last season. Barnes would be a good fit for a team looking to add a do-it-all type player who can put in a handful of baskets a game. If he can continue to improve from year-to-year as he did last season, Barnes could be a steal for the team that brings him in.

Deshawn Stevenson, Washington Wizards, SG
26, 6’5”
2006-07 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 2.7 APG, .79 SPG, 2.6 RPG, 29.5 MPG

Stevenson is an outstanding defensive player, who takes charges and has excelled in one-on-one defense against some of the league's top scorers. On the offensive side of the court, Stevenson still has a ways to go. He needs to be more assertive around the rim and take less mid-range jump shots off the dribble. Stevenson's three point shot could be developed further and he could work to become a better free throw shooter. He is a good fit next to a natural scorer, like the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas. However, the presence of Antonio Daniels and the selection of Nick Young in this year's draft may push Stevenson out-the-door in Washington. It's been reported that the Wizards have offered Stevenson a four-year deal worth approximately $12,000,000. It appears that Stevenson has rejected this offer, and will speak with other teams about his services. Stevenson is still young and could develop an offensive game and his defense is in demand in the league. New York, Cleveland, Orlando, Utah, Seattle, and Dallas may all be interested in Stevenson's services.

Jarvis Hayes, Washington Wizards, SF
25, 6’8”
2006-07 Stats: 7.2 PPG, 1.0 APG, .59 SPG, 2.6 RPG 20.1 MPG

Hayes fell out-of-favor early last season with Wizards coach, Eddie Jordan, and was stuck playing behind Deshawn Stevenson and Caron Butler. Hayes is a terrific shooter, who can score from anywhere on the court. He does not have a great first step, but has good size and strength for his position. He defends small forwards well, but because of only decent lateral movement, Hayes should be avoided from having to guard shooting guards. In order to improve, Hayes needs to diversify his offensive game away from the long jumpers and make more of an effort to get to the basket. He missed significant time in teh 2005-06 season because of a fractured patella, but was injury-free last season. The Washington Times reported today, that the Wizards are not expected to offer a contract to Hayes. With the additions of Nick Young and last year's first round pick, Oleksiy Pecherov, the Wizards appear to have no room to bring Hayes back. Cleveland, Toronto, Miami, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Minnesota all may have interest in having Hayes join their squad.