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Why Would Washington Consider Shopping McGee?

Where would Wizards center JaVale McGee be selected in this year’s NBA Draft?  It’s a legitimate question, considering his current value/trade stock is being discussed.  Lately, according to rumors, he’s being talked about in Washington’s desperate pursuit of the 2nd pick – a pick, they’d likely use on Arizona’s Derrick Williams.  The Washington Post via Draft Express’s Jonathan Givony and his latest mock draft, has heard talks of the seven-footer being involved in a deal with Minnesota.

“there is talk that Minnesota has offered Washington a swap of the Nos. 2 and 6 picks in a package that includes JaVale McGee

Is McGee that important of a piece?  To Minnesota, he may be; as for Washington?  What is his worth if he’s being used to grab the #2 pick?  Have the Wizards forgotten how important a center is?  Did they watch the NBA Finals?  Two words: Tyson Chandler.  Has Washington underestimated McGee’s potential?  Do they think he cannot turn into a key part for a playoff team?  Are they willing to give up on a guy with such a rare skill set, at a position many teams are desperately trying to upgrade?

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, to re-visit when/where McGee was drafted.  It offers us a glimpse of how far he has come and a story/lesson that could be learned, if you are the Wizards.

Coming out of Nevada in ’08, the super-athletic big man was taken 18th by Washington.  If do-overs were allowed, you better believe the Portland Trail Blazers would have chosen McGee, instead of guard Jerryd Bayless, with the 11th pick.  At the time, Portland thought they got a steal (that was seven picks later) in the Arizona guard, who fell out of the top-ten where he was projected, landing in the lap of GM Kevin Pritchard.  Little did they know, they would make a big mistake, passing on a center which could have been Greg Oden’s back-up plan.  Portland knows all too well you can never have enough big men.

Trading up to acquire Bayless, they overlooked McGee.  No, but he’s too raw and not that strong.  He has no offense game.  Tall, lanky, and all he can do is block shots and dunk.  When will he ever mature?  Can he make an impact for a championship contender?  Cue, Mark Cuban, standing next to Exhibit A (Tyson Chandler), shall we?  No, let’s get back to the story.

However, to give Portland the benefit of the doubt, hindsight is 20-20.  Blazers management didn’t know Greg Oden would be considered damaged goods and would go so quickly from being considered a promising big man to receiving a first-class ticket on the “Bust Plane” sitting next to Sam Bowie.  Ouch.

About five years later, he’s still missed in Rip City.  His place on the Blazers front line has yet to be replaced.  Will it ever?  Just move on, right?  Simply put, you cannot.  It just goes to show how much a center can mean to a certain franchise’s fortunes.  LaMarcus Aldridge would like to think he can overcome the void left by Oden, but he can’t.  Imagine Aldridge with McGee.  Well, that’s not the point of this story.  Let’s get back to the moral of it all.

Surely, the Wizards can learn from examining the past (Oden) while reflecting on the present (Chandler). Switch Chandler with Oden, and maybe the Mavs don’t get past the Blazers in the first round.  Could we be celebrating a different Finals champion?  All in all, the importance one center can make is clear – one negatively (due to injuries) affecting his team’s future, with the other positively impacting his club’s chances.  Well, in today’s game, centers are a thing in the past…

In short, why would a team (Wizards) give up a rare commodity (McGee, a center) to move up four spots?  In order to get a ‘tweener?  You can find one of those in free agency, or available via trade.  Actually, he’s on the club you are willing to make a move with – his name is: Michael Beasley.  And in reality, Washington can draft him with the pick they already have – his name is: Kawhi Leonard.  Oh, and he actually plays defense.  Something you need to help compliment a starting back court of John Wall and Nick Young.

Alright, I understand JaVale makes boneheaded plays, but he has also shown us the ability to become legendary.  The “WOW” factor is second to none outside of Blake Griffin.  You know, the guy he swatted into 2012.  So why get rid of him if you’re GM Ernie Grunfeld?  Is it because Derrick Williams is this “can’t miss prospect?”  You better hope so.

For instance, take a look at this past Spring.  McGee posted a triple-double against Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls.  Oh, and he did it with blocked shots!  That doesn’t impress you enough?  A week later, he goes for 28 and 18 in Golden State.  The kid is something special.  He just needs a bit of seasoning.  Kind of like, you know…sound familiar…(drum roll)…Tyson Chandler.  Known for a knack for the spectacular, McGee is just realizing his upside.  Why give up on him now?  For a lack of polish to his all-around game?  He can get away with and make up for it now, due to his superior athleticism.

Yet, on the contrary, you do understand Washington’s desire to move up from the current position to get a player they know won’t be there at #6.  Sixth overall is a tricky position in this year’s draft.  It’s a spot this year, where you’re apt to find a solid role-player, instead of a sure-fire All-Star.  In the Wizards case, they better hope they are getting the latter if they move up to #2 at the expense of JaVale – a player I would draft in the area they are looking to trade up to in this year’s draft.  Think twice before making a move, Mr. Grunfeld; it could cost you an important centerpiece, missing out on the next Tyson Chandler – yet even better.  Keep McGee, he’s one-of-a-kind.  Who knows, he might become a difference maker someday, like the one youngster, who was selected second overall in 2001 from a High School straight outta Compton.