Andray Blatche Trade Rumors: Time to Move The Wizards Troubled Forward?
Recently on Christmas Eve, Washington Wizards players Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee threw punches inside of Shadow Room, a nightclub in Northwest. Both players are no strangers to the Washington party circuit as they’re often seen partying at Lux Lounge and Bar 7.
DCFab! claimed that the two ballers got into a fight over a woman in the club. Six police cars showed up to the scene while the two ballers continue to hit each other. The fight also caused other partygoers to be injured, including a woman whose forehead was split open.
Al Thornton, a teammate, tried to break up the fight but was punched by a bouncer. No arrests have been made at this time. Still, the players are suspended from playing their next game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Right now, the Wizards are currently shopping JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche, says HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy. If that's the case, then; it would be most likely that the Washington Wizards pursue an Andray Blatche trade more than they would for McGee.
The Wizards shouldn't trade either of them, but could possible get some pretty good deals for Blatche at this point. Blatche has shown flashes of serious skill, has a great contract (although lengthy), and arguably needs a change of scenery.
If NBA general managers around the league are willing to pony up the right package, then the Wizards wouldn't hesitate to move Blatche.
The problem is imagining what that “right package” would be. The Wizards seem like a team that wants prospects and picks.
Blatche is primarily of interest to other teams in exactly that same situation. Blatche isn't a final piece for a team in contention, he’s a potential star, not a role player.
So that means the Wizards would be in the business of trying to swap prospects with some other team — or maybe trade one prospect for two (to make contracts match, and with the Wizards cutting Lester Hudson again).
Are there really that many prospects out there that look good to us but look bad to their own management?
As for JaVale, that’s a non-starter for the same reasons. He is the second-best shot blocker in the league, but still plays fundamentally poor defense.
He’s the definition of “upside,” and there’s no way that another team ponies up a good enough prospect to make the trade worthwhile.
So here are some idea of some deals team would be willing to offer or accept for Blatche.
Detroit
1 of 5
ESPN TradeMachine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=36lbl7a
Wizards get Charlie Villanueva
Pistons get Andray Blatche and Al Thornton
Why Detroit Does It: It's time for Detriot to ditch the "veteran-centered" type of team and start rebuilding with some young players, an Andray Blatche and Greg Monroe lineup in the future could be dangerous also.
Why Washington Does It: Wizards are in serious need of a banger down low beside their young promising center, JaVale McGee; this is least likely because of the fact that the Wizards would probably want a draft pick out of Detroit and with the Pistons getting in rebuild mode, it is unlikely.
Sacramento
2 of 5
ESPN TradeMachine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2akmahu
Wizards get Demarcus Cousins and Francisco Garcia
Kings get Andray Blatche and Kevin Seraphin (and possibly a second round pick)
Why Sacramento Does It: Demarcus has shown that his immaturity is still a set-back for his tremendous skills. Although the Kings may say that they aren't shopping Cousins, we all know that they are.
It is similar to when the Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said that the Wizards were going to hold on to him. Andray Blatche seems like a more polished PF than Cousins in the post and face-up game.
Why Washington Does It: Andray Blatche is a head-case just like Cousins, but he is in his fifth year and still seems to not get the picture.
Hopefully former teammate John Wall can step up and set Cousins' head straight if he comes to the Wizards, who desperately need a "bruiser" type of PF down on the post.
Charlotte
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ESPN TradeMachine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2b5ssyk
Wizards get Gerald Wallace.
Bobcats get Andray Blatche and Yi Jianlian.
Why Charlotte Does It: Charlotte, since around Christmas time, has been openly shopping around their SF Gerald Wallace and their SG Stephen Jackson. The Bobcats can rapidly start their rebuilding process by dumping off Wallace's salary to a team that is in need of a scoring and rebounding punch.
In return, they get a promising PF in Blatche for which they may use as one of the building blocks to the franchise. Plus they get an expiring contract with Yi.
Why Washington Does It: The Wizards can free themselves of Blatche's court presence and get a tough-nosed SF that can help tally up the rebounds for the team, as well as being an excellent defender.
Wallace has two more years left on his contract, so then if this year the Wizards don't seem to fit well with Wallace, they can trade him in the off-season as a valuable expiring contract.
Memphis
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ESPN TradeMachine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=24rjytd
Grizzlies get Andray Blatche and Al Thornton
Why Memphis Does It: The Grizzlies get rid of O.J. Mayo, who recently got into a gambling fight with teammate Tony Allen. And in return get a PF in Blatche who can fill in as a replacement for when Randolph moves on and a SF in Thornton to back up Rudy Gay.
Why Washington Does It: The Wizards get a perimeter shooter to surround John Wall, and a lottery bust who can get a second chance at reviving his career. If Washington were to do the trade, that would mean a starting spot fight between Mayo and Nick Young; either one will do great as a sixth man.
Cleveland
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ESPN TradeMachine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=24xvsff
Wizards get Anderson Varejao
Cavaliers get Andray Blatche
Why Cleveland Does It: The Cavs get rid of Varejao, for whom they have been shopping for months to start with a clean slate for rebuilding; also they have shown interest in Blatche recently. Again, Blatche can be used in other franchises as pieces to the rebuilding process.
Why Washington Does It: A Varejao-and-McGee interior wouldn't be bad on defense, and could be the frontcourt that gets the most offensive rebounds in the league. Varejao plays with a lot of energy and sets excellent screens, which is needed playing with John Wall.
