Andray Blatche Expected To Clear Waivers

[LEHGOCELTICS]

Nine teams under the salary cap have the ability to claim recently cut forward Andray Blatche off the waiver wire by Thursday, but for a number of reasons, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento and Toronto are expected to pass.


I can go anywhere I want now? (Nick Wass - AP) Blatche, 25, is the youngest of the 14 players to get cut using the amnesty provision, but the price tag for claiming him and his reputation around the league make it more than likely that he will soon become an unrestricted free agent.

A team would have to make a minimum bid of at least $3.79 million – the sum of minimum salaries over the next three years – in order to claim Blatche. Most of those teams under the salary cap are young and rebuilding and wouldn’t want to add a potential distraction to the locker room. Three front office executives from teams with cap room were adamant that they would not touch Blatche.

The Wizards aggressively tried to trade Blatche in the past year, but couldn’t find any takers. And they would’ve had to sacrifice an asset to move Blatche, according to league sources.

Blatche will surely attract some interest for the league minimum. For all of his baggage, Blatche remains a skilled 6-foot-11 big man who has averaged nearly 10 points per game over his seven-year career. The league is always willing to take a chance on size, and Blatche could possibly be a productive NBA player if he lands in a stable environment.

The Wizards are trying to establish a more professional locker room and felt that wouldn’t occur with Blatche around. Even if they hadn’t used the amnesty provision, the Wizards had no use for Blatche and were prepared to keep him away from the team like Indiana and Jamaal Tinsley after Tinsley had a falling out with then-coach Rick Carlisle.

The relationship between the two sides had deteriorated considerably, and Blatche’s camp feared that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to play next season without the Wizards cutting him. Now Blatche will receive $23 million and the chance to earn more money over the next three years.

Blatche has been working out in Houston with former NBA coach John Lucas, who has helped many players rehabilitate their careers. Blatche told CSN Washington on Tuesday that he was ready to move on after a difficult season in Washington.

“I’m excited I get another chance to go somewhere else and prove my talent and have fun, go back to playing the game without doubting myself and just relaxing, be fun and just to [have] fun playing the game I love to play,” Blatche said. “And hopefully I can get on another team somewhere and get to work.”

- The Washington Post


I really do hope the Celtics give this guy a chance. With every contender seemingly beefing up, we need all the talent we can get. Blatche would be a very prudent, low risk investment.

[Jeff]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

I know that Blatche is a knucklehead, but is he a cancer? It seems like virtually everyone who played in Washington during the last several seasons was some type of "problem" player, but I really wonder if that's more because of the terrible environment with the Wizards and less because of the players. In other words, if placed in a stable, disciplined environment (such as Boston), could a guy such as Blatche become a productive, nonharmful member of basketball society? In particular, when you consider the dearth of skilled big men, or even of guys who are just plain big, it seems almost foolish to pass on a skilled 6-11 player who could really shore up your team's front line and may come at the vet min. Is he really that bad?

[LEHGOCELTICS]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

I know that Blatche is a knucklehead, but is he a cancer? It seems like virtually everyone who played in Washington during the last several seasons was some type of "problem" player, but I really wonder if that's more because of the terrible environment with the Wizards and less because of the players. In other words, if placed in a stable, disciplined environment (such as Boston), could a guy such as Blatche become a productive, nonharmful member of basketball society? In particular, when you consider the dearth of skilled big men, or even of guys who are just plain big, it seems almost foolish to pass on a skilled 6-11 player who could really shore up your team's front line and may come at the vet min. Is he really that bad?

Precisely. For example, let's look at Nick Young and JaVale McGee, both from the dreaded Washington environment. Young and McGee both meshed well with their new teams and only contributed to the collective team performance. They didn't cause any locker room problems or disrupt team chemistry. I think it has more to do with the notorious Wizards' environment more than the players themselves.

[Gomesfan]

If KG, Pierce, and Doc where not here I would pass,with that  said and the vets and coach we have I wide take the gamble in a minute.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

Not even for the minimum? He is a knucklehead, but he has talent close to an all star (yep I said it). This guy, when straight can average 18 and 9. He has mid range game, post game, dribble game and he's no pushover on the block (defense is a little suspect).

I'd take him for the minimum, for the BAE even. I know he's a rough surface that needs to be smoothed, and we have the veterans and the coaching to do that.

[Celts Fan 92]

idk its a logjam at power forward unless we play dude at center nah iont see it

[RJ87]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

I know that Blatche is a knucklehead, but is he a cancer? It seems like virtually everyone who played in Washington during the last several seasons was some type of "problem" player, but I really wonder if that's more because of the terrible environment with the Wizards and less because of the players. In other words, if placed in a stable, disciplined environment (such as Boston), could a guy such as Blatche become a productive, nonharmful member of basketball society? In particular, when you consider the dearth of skilled big men, or even of guys who are just plain big, it seems almost foolish to pass on a skilled 6-11 player who could really shore up your team's front line and may come at the vet min. Is he really that bad?

Precisely. For example, let's look at Nick Young and JaVale McGee, both from the dreaded Washington environment. Young and McGee both meshed well with their new teams and only contributed to the collective team performance. They didn't cause any locker room problems or disrupt team chemistry. I think it has more to do with the notorious Wizards' environment more than the players themselves.

Agreed.

People are so willing to blame the players, but Javale and Nick are good examples of guys who were able to get comfortable in other organizations. Washington management and the Flip Saunders coaching staff have as much culpability as any of those players - the let the Gilbert Arenas show play out like a circus, they allowed that "me first, team last" culture permeate through everything they did. They're trying to clean it up now, so why can't the players get a fresh start.

Andray is 25, 6'11" and very skilled. Its amazing that so many of you ready to pass on him are begging for Chris Andersen. If there's a choice, Andray in a heartbeat. He's young enough that he can still turn it around and become a very productive player. As for as Chris Anderson - well... if I wanted to root for a sexual predator, I'd be a Lakers fan.

[radiohead]

Danny rolled the dice with Nate Robinson and Stephon Marbury. I wouldn't be surprised if takes a chance with Blatche.

[wdleehi]

Notice, the other two players were traded.



Blatche got kicked out.  No one wanted to pick him up.  


Stay away from him.  He has never listened to a coach.  He has admitted his game is soft.  

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Notice, the other two players were traded.



Blatche got kicked out.  No one wanted to pick him up.  


Stay away from him.  He has never listened to a coach.  He has admitted his game is soft.  

No one wants that gamble on a huge contract. McGee and Nick Young were expiring contracts. So it's a bit of a good gamble to trade for them. Baltche (i love calling him Baltche, man) has money owed to him for a few years.

Now, if we're talking about vet. minimum, would you still not want to?

OT:

To anyone reading this, join us in CB Draft. It's fun.

[CelticG1]

Some fans have too much pride in letting this type of guy in the organization.

They prefer playing it sage rather than taking risks. Some people would rather have a gimpy Leon power back than Blatxhe.

I am not one of those fans. As currently constituted we at best have a punters chance of making it to the finals. There is no logical reason to not tale on a low risk high reward guy.

[Interceptor]

I don't want him, but if the C's pick him up I am OK with it. Reason being, that would mean it cleared Doc, who checked up on Sean Williams to make sure his locker room wouldn't deteriorate from that pickup.

[jdub1660]

no thanks, not even at the minimum

I know that Blatche is a knucklehead, but is he a cancer? It seems like virtually everyone who played in Washington during the last several seasons was some type of "problem" player, but I really wonder if that's more because of the terrible environment with the Wizards and less because of the players. In other words, if placed in a stable, disciplined environment (such as Boston), could a guy such as Blatche become a productive, nonharmful member of basketball society? In particular, when you consider the dearth of skilled big men, or even of guys who are just plain big, it seems almost foolish to pass on a skilled 6-11 player who could really shore up your team's front line and may come at the vet min. Is he really that bad?

Precisely. For example, let's look at Nick Young and JaVale McGee, both from the dreaded Washington environment. Young and McGee both meshed well with their new teams and only contributed to the collective team performance. They didn't cause any locker room problems or disrupt team chemistry. I think it has more to do with the notorious Wizards' environment more than the players themselves.

Agreed.

People are so willing to blame the players, but Javale and Nick are good examples of guys who were able to get comfortable in other organizations. Washington management and the Flip Saunders coaching staff have as much culpability as any of those players - the let the Gilbert Arenas show play out like a circus, they allowed that "me first, team last" culture permeate through everything they did. They're trying to clean it up now, so why can't the players get a fresh start.

Andray is 25, 6'11" and very skilled. Its amazing that so many of you ready to pass on him are begging for Chris Andersen. If there's a choice, Andray in a heartbeat. He's young enough that he can still turn it around and become a very productive player. As for as Chris Anderson - well... if I wanted to root for a sexual predator, I'd be a Lakers fan.

TP LOL

At his size, I could see him as a JO clone. Bring him at C and let KG show him how to play that position as a PF during the more common small ball league.

The Wizards had ZERO veterans on their team. They went from gun and overpaid contract issues for injury prone Arenas to a young squad with no leadership.
At the minimum, I'd take him.
And that's only b/c KG could help him. And if he played to his potential, it could help Rondo

[wdleehi]

Some fans have too much pride in letting this type of guy in the organization.

They prefer playing it sage rather than taking risks. Some people would rather have a gimpy Leon power back than Blatxhe.

I am not one of those fans. As currently constituted we at best have a punters chance of making it to the finals. There is no logical reason to not tale on a low risk high reward guy.

Some fans don't want to waste time with a bum.


Some fans do not want this bum close to the young big men the Celtics have. 


Plus, the Celtics need a C.  Not an oversized bum who wants to be a SF. 

A guy that never gets closer then 15 feet from the basket on offensive when playing against the likes of Howard. 

Who said he would go inside more if defenders would go after his pump fakes more because he is afraid to get blocked.