Danny Ainge has told Brandan Wright that he’s on the block:
Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge has informed the 6-10 center that he’s on the block and should expect to be on another team. That’s why Wright had a head-scratching DNP this week on a team that could use his skill set. The Wizards would have to execute a trade to bring him on board and he has an expiring contract that pays $5 million.
Wright should be pretty easy to move for the Celtics because he’s got an expiring deal and plays at a position which is pretty thin across the league. So, right of the bat if you’re thinking of dangling Landry Fields’ expiring contract, it’s not going to happen. The Raptors would almost have to part with a pick or some young talent, perhaps Terrence Ross to get Wright.
Positionally, the center is the Raptors biggest need right now since Amir Johnson is hobbled and Dwane Casey just doesn’t trust Jonas Valanciunas for whatever reason. Wright would be more of an offensive signing than a defensive one, which would require Dwane Casey to actually call plays for his big men. Very unlikely.
Here’s a quasi-scouting report on Wright – if you click through there’s also some video:
Wright is a 6-10″, 205 lb. power forward, who usually plays center for the Mavs, who possesses extraordinary athleticism, a lofty yet seemingly pretty jumper, quick hands around the basket, and a keen basketball IQ.
Areas in which Wright struggles: defending bigger post players, rebounding on either end, and he all too often just gets lost when the lane gets crowded, as if it’s easy to push him around due to his slender frame. During the 2013-2014 campaign Wright showed improvement by putting up career highs in the following categories: ppg( 9.1), rpg( 4.2) , and minutes played per game( 18.6). What it all comes down to for Wright is that if he can defend and rebound a little better, then Coach Carlisle will make sure he sees more minutes at both the four and the five, and the rest of his game should flourish as well.
Make no mistake, Wright’s value is not as a defensive or rebounding stalwart, but as someone who can block shots in one-on-one situations, finish using lobs, and finish in traffic after the guards set him up.
So…what does Ujiri do? Pass or pursue?
UPDATE:
LOL.
Boston is finalizing a trade to send forward Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 9, 2015
