Methodical Management
, I thought about your post when I was reading this. I agree 100% that they should not let Rui go no matter what, but they seem kinda set on it, would be terrible to see it happen.
Been reading they want Kuz to stay, BUT Kuz wants out bad ! ......................... Maybe sign and trade ?
If it HAS TO BE 1 I guess Kuz would be the one casue he could get back more in return ? I get the feeling without Kuz, Rui would start to step up HUGE and give everyone whats been expected, ceiling is the roof for that guy !!!
Ima big big Monte fan, cat is a straight BUCKET ! would not shed a tear if Barton and Deni departed though
Would LOVE to see Mr Goodwin get ALOT more time, lotsa good things happenin when he is out there IMO
Fingers crossed tight as hell that management doesnt repeat history, lets wait and see, while holding breath lol
My read on Kuz is that he’s not only looking to maximize salary, but also to maximize his role. He’s already won a championship.
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In a Wizards game broadcast earlier this year, he was quoted as suggesting that the team “run the offense through him.” If he wants to be a #1 option, that’s something he may try to explore this summer. Realistically, though, I can’t think of a single team in the league who would hand him the keys to their franchise.
He’s repeatedly characterized this as a “business decision” while being careful not to rule the Wizards out as an option. We all know the Wizards can - and likely will - pay him more than anyone else, to their eventual detriment.
That said, when you go public in expressing your interest to explore free agency at the beginning of the season, that sends a message to management - and to every other GM in the league. The media will invariably turn it into a distraction, and they have. While the “he wants out” stories are likely overblown, based on the above I don’t think it’s unreasonable to believe that he’d welcome a trade to put a different team in pole position to retain his services this summer, as I suspect it’s likely to come down to money.
The Wizards, being desperate, seem intent on trying to overcompensate for the possibility that they’ll be publicly spurned by a player for whom they essentially gave up two first round picks (Wall for Russ, Russ for Kuz).
So now, they’re on the verge of throwing away Rui, who represents another first round pick, so they can show Kuzma they’re “committed.” It’s sad.
Rui with Kuzma’s usage would likely put up similar numbers. I think the Wizards would like to see him play better on the defensive end, show up more consistently, and pull down more rebounds, but if they move him - as they seem hellbent on doing - I wouldn’t be at all surprised if his career followed a Bobby Portis trajectory where he winds up playing a key role on a championship team. I’ll be happy for him when that happens.
Anyone following this team should by now have learned never to overpay for second-rate talent. You get boxed in. With every iteration of this team, management continues to buy high and sell low.
With this trade, we’ll sell low on Rui to buy high on Kuzma.
bye Rui
