Breaking Down the Figures in John Wall's Potential Max Deal

So by now you've heard or read in multiple spots that John Wall thinks he's a max player. You may have also read that he would be hurt if he wasn't offered a max contract from the Wizards. And if you've seen all of this, then you've definitely seen or heard the report that the Wizards plan on offering him a max extension as early as this July.

I'm not going to offer too much opinion on whether or not he is worthy of a max deal, because it shouldn't come as much of a surprise. I do get the feeling that Ted Leonsis is quietly (or not quietly) doing many of the same things that we didn't like about Abe Pollin (with Ernie playing the role of Wes Unseld). While I get every impression that Wall wants to be great, and works hard at it and takes his craft seriously, I can't help but think that the relationship between owner and star player is sometimes too much personal and not enough business. Couple that with the thought of paying/rewarding Wall and others (well other, see Blatche, Andray) before seeing the consistent production to warrant the extension, and I can see where there is a lot of angst about this ALLEGED report.

Unveiling the Wizard: Martell Webster and the Salary Cap

For a while now, many of us have been beating the drum to bring back Martell Webster. That drum is beating louder and louder as the season goes on and it is becoming increasingly evident that he should be a part of our future. The prevailing thought is, "pay him whatever it takes!" Unfortunately, with the salary cap and the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), things aren't quite that simple. I've researched and chatted with several people, and while I may be wrong, I think I have some understanding of where we stand.

Two Games, Several Observations

I know I've been quiet for a while, but I'm back now with some quick-hit observations through two games:

• We REALLY miss John Wall and Nenê.
• The team is certainly a more scrappy, professional outfit. Is that a backhanded compliment? I'm not sure.  
• Too early to write things off, but early on, not really feeling Okafor and Ariza, particularly Ariza. I will readily admit to being wrong about something, and while I understood the logic in trading Rashard Lewis for those two, from here it looks like we've just extended the disastrous Gilbert Arenas contract another two years. Actually, Okafor and Ariza's contracts will be up at the same time as Gilbert's now amnestied deal. So did we just basically shuffle the deck chairs on the Titanic here?
• Speaking of trades and potentially dead money, we really need Nenê to get better. His presence on and off the floor have helped, but we certainly haven't seen enough of him playing. Otherwise, this is another long-term albatross of a deal (four years, $52M) that we're on the hook for. 
• Bradley Beal has been WAY too passive so far. We need to get him going. I obviously still believe in him, but he HAS to be more aggressive, as opposed to...
• AJ Price. WHAT THE F*#%? I mean this guy has a lot of irrational confidence. Too much, in fact. He's been the exact opposite of Beal. Start Pargo. Sign Shaun Livingston. Hell, start Crawford. Anything, man.
• Wittman.
• GRUNFELD!
• I like Martell Webster. Horrible end of the game shot against Boston aside, I think bringing him in was a good signing. He needs more clock. He needs to start over Ariza.
• Early on, it seems that the youngster whose minutes are most affected by bringing in all these vets has been Chris Singleton.
• Booker's jumper is improved.
• Kevin Seraphin is our best player. There, I said it. His hook shot is money. He's rebounding and defending even seem improved after one game. I'll talk more about him in a future post, but I stand by that statement thus far.
• I think until we get Wall and Nenê back, we should start Pargo, Beal (yea, still), and Webster with Seraphin and Okafor or Booker and Seraphin. 

 It's been two games. This is an interesting mix of old and young players. Wittman needed these early games to see who should remain in the rotation. 

Is John Wall's Love of the Nightlife Cause for Concern?

First and foremost, thanks to @freshxdesign for suggesting writing this after a brief Twitter convo. In the social media age, we have so much exposure to athletes via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and whatever is next to surely come out in the next six months. Our faithful leader, John Wall, is a pretty regular tweeter. But if you follow his timeline, you'll see that the homie loves the ladies and loves to party. A lot. Is that a big deal? Should we be concerned? Is his personal life any of our business?

Trading Cap Room for Cap Hell?

Four years, $58 million for Roy Hibbert? The same for Eric Gordon, even though he's missed over a third his games since being in the NBA? Three years, $25 million for Omer Asik? Four years, $30 million for Jeremy Lin, based almost solely on a stellar month of February? Minnesota potentially offering over $11 million per year for Nic Batum? Four years, $40 million for Jeff Green?!?!!?? There's been a lot of tomfoolery occurring in the first week of free agency. For those that complained that the Wizards trade for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza used up all of our cap space, that it squandered our cap space and put us in a cap hell, how do you feel about THESE contracts?

Literally Live From the Phone Booth: Draft Party at the Verizon Center!

When my buddy Ju-Ice asked me the other day if I wanted to attend the Draft Party at Verizon Center last night, I didn't know what to expect. We left before the end of the first round, but we had a great time. Below the jump are my accounts of the evening at the Phone Booth.

If Not Bradley Beal, Then What?

Mike Prada at Bullets Forever posed a great question earlier today, amid mild speculation that the Cleveland Cavaliers may be tempted to move up to #2 to draft Bradley Beal ahead of the Wizards. Besides me being distraught about this happening, what would be the best plan B alternative?
This is quite the conundrum, as there are several ways the team could go: