wtf note (9/18): see correction below.
Rasheed gives the Bullets yet another young, gifted forward/center. It doesn't address their needs at guard one bit. But the Bullets could be looking at one of the best front courts in the league, assuming they re-sign Chris Webber this year and Juwan Howard next year.
In the second round, the Bullets did not select a player to keep. The Bullets traded the #37 pick overall to the LA Lakers the day before the draft. On draft day, the Bullets selected Terrence Rencher of the University of Texas with the 32nd pick overall.
Rencher stayed with the Bullets for about 2 seconds. The Bullets traded him and G Rex Chapman to Miami for Jeff Webster (G) and Ed Stokes (C), two of Miami's draft picks from 1993 and 1994. Neither player is expected to ever make the Bullets (even as a 12th player); Webster is in the CBA, and Stokes is playing in Europe. This move was made to free up salary cap room by unloading Chapman's $2 million salary.
Now the off-season must wait, because the owners have locked out the players and some players are looking to decertify the union. The players don't want a luxury tax, the owners want to harden (though not completely) the salary cap in some manner. Should be an interesting series of negotiations to see if even the season starts on time. See other sports links for more details.
Don MacLean is not long for the Washington Bullets. (Wash. Post, 6 July 1995) Don is unhappy with his diminished minutes and role on the team and has indicated to friends that next season will be his last in Washington.
Don MacLean will exercise an escape clause in his contract once the NBA lockout is lifted. The Bullets have extended a one-year qualifying offer (believed to be around $925,000). Odds are, MacLean will take the offer, hope for a better year than his 1994-95 season, and aim for the big free agency bucks next season. And odds are, this should be a winning strategy for him.
Don MacLean was voted the most improved player in the NBA after the 1993-94 season, his second year in the league. He just finished the third year (worth $740,000) in a 6-year, $4.86 million contract with the Bullets. He turned down a 2-year, $12 million extension on that contract last summer.
wtf note: Don MacLean presents an interesting problem for the Bullets. John Nash might want to get something in return for MacLean before he escapes via free agency after next season. Nash will try to work some sort of trade during the season, after MacLean (I believe) shows that he still has the skills he exhibited in his second season. Keep in mind, the Bullets got him (and William Bedford) for nothing (John "Hot Plate" Williams). A good deal, but let's not lose his value (because his salary "slot" won't buy much).
Are you curious why the Bullets traded Rex Chapman? Why they needed his money? Well, if they want to keep Chris Webber and sign (or trade for) a veteran FA PG, they need the money. But they can also stay under the cap. See if you can follow the numbers below:
1a. Last year, the Bullets had just over $17M in salaries; this upcoming year, the cap will probably be $23-$24M. Conservatively, this gives the Bullets $6M of extra cap room.
1b. The Bullets have lost 4 players that will not return: Skiles ($2M), Chapman ($2M), Stewart ($800k), Walker ($450k).
That's about another $5.25M of cap room to play with. That gives them at least $11.25M of salary cap room.
2a. They need to sign Rasheed Wallace; I think the salary number under the rookie cap will be about $2.4M for that slot (that's a maximum figure). However, I've heard rumors that the new CBA (if/when ratified) will not include rookie salary figures under the salary cap. For the purpose of this analysis, I will assume this isn't the case and Wallace's salary will count against the salary cap.
2b. Don MacLean made just over $700k last year, he has said he will probably sign a 1-year deal worth just under $1M (the Bullets' qualifying offer). That's about $250k increase in salary.
2c. The Bullets will re-sign Webber. The deal reportedly on the table is worth an average of $8M per year. He made $2M last year; I figure that his starting salary this upcoming season will be about $6M (to increase in subsequent years).
2d. I will estimate that the remaining Bullets will receive raises on the order of $1.5M. Personally, I think that's way overstating the actual raises, but it gets us in the ball park for estimating.
This means the Bullets will lay out $8.15M to get the team filled (except for the PG). There may be a couple of minor incidental bench players signed for the minimum, but that won't cost the Bullets much in cap room (e.g., Anthony Tucker returns for another season).
3. That means that they will have approximately $3M to start a FA PG for this team. That's Barros type territory. Elliot Perry (and other FA PG) probably wouldn't require that much money to start their contract. Dealing Chapman became critical in this scenario to make the numbers work (after the Bullets decided to draft and keep Wallace).
Make sense? Hold onto your hats. The Bullets are also going to have to hold onto Kevin Duckworth in the last year of his contract. You want the Bullets to keep Duckworth next season, you say, even if he spends the entire season on IR (where he belongs)? Yes, I say. Why?
Because Duckworth's salary is going to be needed to re-sign Juwan Howard next season. Howard will probably have a starting salary next season around $4.5M (my guess), and Duckworth's money pretty much fills that out. If we cut him this year and get half his salary ($1.4M) to sign some piddling (i.e., useless) FA, we only have $1.4M to apply towards re-signing Howard next year. Not good, IMHO. Keep Duckworth, waste an IR slot on him. Just don't fail to re-sign Juwan next year.
Where are the Bullets going to find a veteran point guard? Good question, though I do have a few ideas. And it may not necessarily be a free agent, either.
Let's take a look at the criteria, according to John Nash (GM). The Bullets want a PG who can shoot the ball, hopefully with range; on court experience/savvy (i.e., a veteran); good ball handling skills; and defensive presence. But note the first thing--someone who can shoot the ball. The Bullets have enough ball handlers (Cheaney, Webber, Howard) that they really need to concentrate on a PG who can shoot from the outside and open up the formidable inside game.
Looking at the unrestricted free agent list, I only see three players of note: Dana Barros, Elliot Perry, and Brian Shaw. Barros is a shooter, but seemingly lacks in some of the other PG qualities, and doesn't always show up as a defensive stopper. He had decent assist numbers with Philly last year, but seemed to have a shoot first, pass second attitude. He will command top FA bucks next season, and Barros will probably be choosing between staying with Philly and coming to Washington.
Perry is the new wunderkind in the league, but is he a one year wonder? People will wonder about that. Perry can shoot (he shot over 50% from the field last year), but doesn't have 3-point range, a definite minus in the Bullets scheme. Good assist numbers filling in for KJ at Phoenix. A defensive monster, top 5 in steals in the league last year (in a limited role), possibly the quickest player in the league. He is small and wiry, and might be posted up by bigger guards.
Shaw looked at Washington last season before signing a one year deal with Orlando. He had a relatively disappointing season with Orlando last year. The question is, will he re-sign or go elsewhere (where the money is)? He can shoot from the outside, is big (6'6"), and has veteran experience. Not the greatest defender, but still good. But he's turned down Washington once before, and it may happen again.
I don't think Haywoode Workman will be pursued by the Bullets. Less offense than Perry. The Bullets may wind up having to trade for a PG. At the top of the fan's list may be Kenny Anderson, although rumors have it that the Bullets are no longer interested. He doesn't shoot exceptionally well (career FG% around 41%) and is developing a rep as not taking his career seriously.
Gary Payton's name is also floating around as trade bait from Seattle. But it would take an awful lot to acquire him, although he would be a great player to have. Expensive and could gut this team of its talent to acquire him. Not likely. And I won't talk about Rod Strickland (he wasn't acquired mostly because he wants to renegotiate his contract with his new team to a $4-5 million average).
Two more names that are on the blocks: Eric Murdock and Robert Pack. Both seem to be odd men out in the direction each team is taking, although Pack's situation is worse. Murdock is a 3-point threat and a good defender. There are questions about a heart problem that was diagnosed in college. But he could be a solid (though slightly expensive) acquisition. Pack is developing range (he shot well from 3-point range last season), though he can play out of control at times (high turnover rate). Both would be decent acquisitions, if necessary.
Two other names are floating around: Mark Price and Mookie Blaylock. Price is a great shooter and floor leader, but is getting older and slower. Not good for the Bullets up tempo game. Blaylock has been offered to the Bullets before. He can shoot, play defense, and play up-tempo. Why Atlanta wants to unload him I do not know, though they are looking for a true PF (this is a rumored destination for Derrick Coleman of New Jersey). This could be a deal waiting to happen for the Bullets.
Have you heard of any more rumors? If so, let me know.
A quick update (18 Sept. 95). It's time to play ball. The union is not decertifying, the union approved the second deal by a 25-2 margin, and the owners approved it last Monday. Business operations in the NBA begin at noon today.
What must the Bullets do? Quickly, they must sign Webber. The rumored deal won't quite work under the new salary cap--contracts can't last longer than 7 years. It will probably still be worth around $60-65M, but only last 7 years. If Webber isn't signed by Friday (9/22), be concerned. Very concerned. It then sounds like Pollin is back to his penny-pinching ways.
Next to be signed is Rasheed Wallace. Under the ratified collective bargaining agreement, Wallace's contract will be between $5.15M and $6.18M over 3 years. Look for the Bullets to give him the upper contract, with a starting salary of around $1.72M. This should happen relatively quickly.
Then it's time to settle on a PG. Barros has stated that he hopes to decide on a team by Wednesday, so Nash should find out early if he's interested or not. Elliot Perry is Nash's second choice. Nash has also said that he would like to look for a backup swingman (SG/SF), although I can't think of any quality FA swingmen available. Other rumors: Nash is offering Don MacLean (after he's re-signed) and next year's 1st rounder (probably GSW's pick) for Rod Strickland. Mookie Blaylock is also available, though the price is unclear (it would involve a power forward).
Gheorghe Muresan has been playing in France (with his previous European team) during the lockout. His season should be done shortly before the scheduled beginning of training camp. Muresan has been showing continued progress in his offensive and defensive games, and continues to improve his physical stamina. Muresan could be a big force this year. I'm looking forward to it. Also, Chris Webber has been working with shooting doctor Buzz Bramin this summer, paying from his own pocket (the Bullets were unable to pay, like they've done in the past). We'll see how much improvement he makes.
The NBA isn't out of the woods on this labor mess yet. Judge Doty still has to rule on the lawsuit led by lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, and who knows what's going to happen there. Other lawsuits may be pending as well. But for the meantime, the NBA looks to resume operations, starting now. I'm looking forward to it (especially since I've paid in full for my season tickets). I'm just sick of these greedy lawsuits. Play ball!
wtf 18 September 1995
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