The Wizards have budgeted to keep Wall with the organization “for a long time,” according to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking. Teams are allowed to designate one player to a five-year maximum contract at a time, essentially forcing them to make that decision between Wall and emerging rookie Bradley Beal, a No. 3 overall draft pick.
Over the past month, Wall has been playing with noticeable confidence and has shot the ball much better. In the month of March, he is averaging 20 points on 52.2 percent shooting – including 54.5 percent (!) from the 3-point line, to go with 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, two steals and .8 blocks. If he can play this well for an entire season, then he can talk all he wants about what he may be worth. To say that he has already proven himself as a max player? Get real. Stan Van Gundy said earlier this season that he doesn’t understand why the Wizards want to build around Wall. Maybe he said what he said knowing the team would throw max money at the guy.
Am I saying Wall will never be a max-contract level player? No. That was my argument against Van Gundy and David Falk all along. It’s simply too early to say he won’t be that player. But again, it’s also way too early (and beyond cocky) for Wall to call himself a franchise-level player because he’s just not there yet, nor has he proven himself (as he claims he has) as one. He says he hasn’t reached his peak, yet still wants to be paid like he has, which is curious at best. Nonetheless, the Wizards will probably throw all they can at him, simply because of what the team would be without him – a team without a concrete plan. Sound familiar, Hawks fans?
Onto other news from around the league:
Chris Paul and Vinny Del Negro were critical of the Clippers poor defense, from Broderick Turner of Los Angeles Times: “We’re not playing well enough right now,” Clippers CoachVinny Del Negro said. “We’re not guarding hard enough right now. We’re not physically and mentally tough enough, especially when we have to be, in the fourth quarter. And that’s definitely a concern.”… “Disappointed that we’re not showing more resiliency,” Del Negro said. “Just more resistance. We’re going to have to address that as we move forward.”… Told that Del Negro wasn’t happy with how the Clippers gave in, Paul agreed. “He shouldn’t be happy,” Paul said. “We’re not either. We’ve got to get better defensively. I think that’s the biggest key. Last year we had something about us where we could just get stops when we needed to. And right now, I don’t think we have the confidence that we need defensively.”
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Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban still has the highest of expectations from Dirk Nowitzki, from Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas: “Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn’t see why Dirk Nowitzki can’t be an elite player for “at least” three more seasons. Since his 11-year streak of All-Star appearances was snapped, Nowitzki has averaged 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range. “What we’re seeing now with Dirk is what we can expect to see next year and the year after, if he stays healthy,” Cuban said. “And the year after that.” Three more years of All-Star caliber play from a power forward who turns 35 this summer? “At least,” Cuban said.”
- Nowitzki wasn’t as sure about himself as Cuban expressed, from MacMahon: “Nowitzki wasn’t so quick to predict the same. “I’m not sure about all that,” said Nowitzki, a 15-year veteran who is averaging the fewest points overall (16.4) since his rookie year after missing the first 27 games of the season following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. “We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully I can finish this season strong and have a good summer like I basically did last year with a lot of lifting and running and hopefully not have a setback with a surgery. We’ll see how consistent I can be again next season.”