What do we do with the draft this year? It looks like Leonard might be the pick at 6 — it would be great if we could move up and get Kanter or Williams.

Honestly, while this goes against the grain of rebuilding, I would be happy if we packaged the pick for someone like Andre Iguodala or Rudy Gay. Other than the top 3-4 picks this year, no one is projected to actually reach their level of play anyway.

Moving back is not an option, and I don’t see how it ever makes sense in the NBA. Too much equity at the top of the draft.

I think it will be tough to trade up, as I think the T-wolves will want more than the 18th pick in return. I think I’d actually look to trade back. Primarily I’d want a first rounder next year, but if you can’t land that even an extra pick this year would hardly be the worst thing. Sure there aren’t stars in this draft, but there are some solid role players, and the Wizards could get some good cheap depth.

The one thing I worry about trading for a guy like Gay or Iguodala is that there will be a new CBA, and the Wizards could be saddled with a contract that will eat into their cap. I think it would be better to just go after a top FA that they will get cheaper just due to the fact of the new CBA.

I agree, Iguodala and Gay definitely come at a steep price, and I think both are a bit overpaid at this point. I’m just afraid that this draft doesn’t yield much talent overall (although no one really knows), and we won’t have many options in the future unless we plan on being a lottery team for another two seasons. I don’t see Dwight Howard or any top tier FAs ever really coming here, but who knows.

And with moving back, I agree theoretically, but I think it’s a major risk. I can’t think of a team other than the SA Spurs who have consistently had success drafting in the later spots. I’d rather go with a guy like Leonard who will likely never be an All-Star, but will probably be a decent, starting player. If there are guys in the late first-mid first round of the draft that the Wizards could pinpoint and be comfortable that they will be solid contributors off the bench or borderline starters in the league for years then I’d be all for it.

Yeah I don’t think we will get any stars but I think we can get some solid guys in FA. A lot will depend on what prices these guys get and how the new CBA shakes out, but there are some interesting SG’s on the market, J.R. Smith, Marcus Thornton etc. Glenn Davis, Josh McRoberts and Carl Landry at PF and some potential starting center options if you want to make McGee more of just a defensive stopper.

As for the draft, I’d look to move back to early teens and grab a guy like Hamilton, Singleton or Klay Thompson. I think they will be just as good as Leonard, and Washington could get some value.