Examining the Wizards on Draft Day

In with Mike Miller (left), out with Darius Songaila (right).
But is Washington done? (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

With the fifth pick gone, Washington doesn't seem quite done.  They have a 32nd pick in the second round and two spots on their roster to fill should they not re-sign upcoming free agent Juan Dixon and depending on what Washington does with Mike James next season.  Today I'll take a look at yesterday's big trade, the departing Wizards, and a look to the future.

For an NBA Examiner, Draft Day is sort of like screaming "Vegas!" as loud as you can to emulate Vince Vaughn's portrayal of Trent, the loud-mouthed, Wayne Gretzky hating cool dude in the cult-classic Swingers.  But instead of the film ultimately focusing on Heather Graham, we get about a four-hour tour via NBA Commissioner David Stern and his associate.  Hm.  I think I'm in the wrong business.

After yesterday's trade which gave Washington Mike Miller and Randy Foye for Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, Oleksiy Pecherov, and the Wizards' fifth pick in today's draft, that leaves Washington with just #32 to scream about.  The problem, as I see it, is Washington won't be able to get a big man with that pick.

Brendan Haywood on Trade: "GREAT MOVE!"

Here's an updated look at the Wizards' current depth, assuming guards Dixon and James are on the road next season:

Wizards' Draft Day Depth Chart:
(Salaries, positions, and contracts speculative and subject to change)

>Point Guards
#1) Gilbert Arenas -- $14,653,466 (6 years)
#2) Javaris Crittenton -- $1,381,560 (2 years)

>Shooting Guards
#1) DeShawn Stevenson -- $3,616,072 (2 years)
#2) Randy Foye --$2,815,560 (2 years)
#3) Nick Young -- $1,602,960 (2 years)

>Small Forwards
#1) Caron Butler -- $9,249,980 (3 years)
#2) Mike Miller -- $9,028,575 (2 years)
#3) Dominic McGuire -- $711,517 (2 years)

>Power Forwards
#1) Antawn Jamison -- $9,923,285 (4 years)
#2) Andray Blatche -- $2,739,669 (4 years)

>Centers
#1) Brendan Haywood -- $5,500,000 (2 years)
#2) JaVale McGee -- $1,392,240 (2 years)

Some initials thoughts are putting Foye at point to use Young and Foye off the bench together, the pick-up of at least one knock-around big guy if possible for Playoffs contention, and some sort of balance between McGuire and Miller at the small forward if possible.  This draft might very well add a piece to another trade deal to get some help in the frontcourt, and we might see Stevenson, Young, or even McGuire in a deal, although it seems like Grunfeld has put trust in Blatche.  Just no Amaré Stoudemire for Caron Butler, please.

I'll be in and out throughout Draft Day, and be sure to check out Dave Johnson's day-long efforts over at Wizards.com.  They'll kick off around 6:00 p.m. ET.

Live Draft Day Examination
Update 7:07 p.m. ET: Live Mike Miller and Randy Foye conference going on now.
Update 7:21 p.m. ET: Conference ended.  Link up.
Update 7:42 p.m. ET: Earlier today President Ernie Grunfeld suggested Pick #32 might yield a big man.  Here are a few big men Washington might be able to snag early in that second round:
• Taj Gibson: 6'9" 225 PF out of USC.  Projected late 1st Round.  Pre-draft workout held Thursday, June 11th.
• Alade Aminu: 6'11" 225 PF out of Georgia Tech.  Projected late 1st Round.  Pre-draft workout held Friday, June 12th.
• Brandon Costner: 6'9" 230 PF out of N.C. State.  Not projected.  Pre-draft workout held Tuesday, June 16th.
• Raymond Sykes: 6'9" 220 PF out of Clemson.  Not projected.  Pre-draft workout held Tuesday, June 16th.
Update 8:15 p.m. ET: Rubio ends up being the fifth pick, how'd you like that?  First five:
• #01. Blake Griffin -- LAC
• #02. Hasheem Thabeet -- MEM
• #03. James Harden -- OKC
• #04. Tyreke Evans -- SAC
• #05. Ricky Rubio -- MIN (from WAS)
Update 8:55 p.m. ET: Tyler Hansbrough picked #13 by the Indiana Pacers.  Anyone have him that high?  Almost half way through the first round.  Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to Cleveland, and Vince Carter has been traded to Orlando for Rafer Alston in part of a deal.  Interesting stuff.  Now Carter needs to be traded to Houston to meet back up with cousin T-Mac, and the cycle will be complete.
Update 10:00 p.m. ET: We're getting close to #32.  Gibson is gone, #26 to Da Bulls.  While we wait, check out this hilarious Vegas ad.  By the way, I'm surprised DeJuan Blair hasn't been picked yet.
Update 10:40 p.m. ET: With #32, Wizards select Jermaine Taylor, 6'4" 207 guard out of UCF.  Seemingly an odd choice to draft a shooting guard.  Washington needs help upfront.
Update 11:31 p.m. ET: Rights to Jermaine Taylor traded to Houston Rockets.  That's good night from your Wiz Examiner!
 

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