Who says Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld can't find a good player? Well, me and many others, but give the beleaguered GM credit for signing Dwight Howard. It only took 14 seasons watching the big man to get him.
The Wiz are reportedly readying to sign Howard. It would have been nice to have a younger version when he was one of the NBA's top stars. The man had more endorsements than LeBron James . . . 10 years ago. But, Howard still averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds last season at age 32.
Bottom line – the Wiz finally have an inside scorer. Marcin Gortat was never an inside presence. While John Wall and Bradley Beal should send Gortat a thank you card for his consistent picks, the Polish Hammer couldn't score inside regularly. Washington regularly played 4 on 5.
Now there's a caveat. After all, the Brooklyn Nets didn't buy out Howard's contract for no reason. He's reportedly not a great teammate, which ironically the same was said about Gortat as the prime reason the Wiz traded him. But, everybody thinks they can change troubled players with a new scenery. And, it does happen. Maybe Washington will get lucky.
That the Wiz will reportedly sign Howard to a one-year contract is brilliant. It's a prove-it deal that will incentivize Howard to play hard. Giving a multi-year deal to a troublesome player at 32 is an invitation to disaster. If Howard doesn't play well, the Wiz don't lose much.
Give Grunfeld credit this time – Howard makes the Wiz better.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
