for Rashard Lewis and a 2nd round pick? Can someone explain what the hell washington is trying to do with 2 overpaid centers on the team?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8077486/sources-washington-wizards-get-new-orleans-hornets-emeka-okafor-trevor-ariza-rashard-lewis-pick

As with everything the Wizards seem to do these days, I have no idea what they're thinking. Seems you could get a whole lot more for a max expiring contract than that, but what do I know?

Has anybody followed Rashard Lewis' career lately? If he really is getting amnestied, seems like the Mavs should take a look. I just haven't seen him play in a long time and have no idea if there's anything left.

Looks like the Hornets top 4 salaries are getting traded away or expire this season. They are getting Rashard Lewis, whose mega contract ends next year and some of which will be waived anyway. #1, 10, and 46 picks in this year's draft. They have 0 players with a contract that goes past next season unless they pick up the option.

The Hornets have a ton of flexibility over the next two years. They are in great position to be the next dominant small-market team. Obviously they have to make the right moves, but they've pretty much got a clean slate, two stars to build on in Gordon and Davis, and a blank checkbook at this point.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/20/2012 3:25p).]

Rashard Lewis' was working out at Kinkad in Houston last week. My son was at a camp there.

I am guessing without peds, he will not be worth much.... who knows.

Did you have a dunking contest with him?

The value of expiring contracts in the eyes of NBA fans vs. reality is so wide. Grabbing 2 more serviceable players and professionals like Okafor and Ariza to surround Wall with was the right thing to do.

Good move for the NOH. Pretty interesting for the Wizards. Okafor's contract is obviously terrible and Nene is already making a lot, but it looks like they're going for the higher bball IQ guys with the departure of Jevale "Lowlight" McGee, Young, and now RL. Ariza is a good role player.

Bradley Beal will fill a position of need and fits the general team theme they're going for.

I'm not very interested in exactly what the value of an expiring contract is, but the Hornets are now committed to spending about 34mm next year and exactly $0 in the 2013/2014 season. That gives them a lot of space to pay Gordon and bring in a couple vets to compliment their draft picks. Okafor/Ariza are solid, but they were going to get a combined 22 million in '13/'14.

This looks like a win/win trade to me, actually.