Free agency is scary for Ernie Grunfeld.

With free agency looming for the NBA, teams are going to spend truckloads of money. To me, I feel that other teams have a plan of action going into free agency. I mean we are talking millions of dollars being thrown around meeting rooms. Teams should have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D each with a tier having a corresponding descending value. That makes sense.

What doesn’t make sense is Grunfeld only having a Plan A and then if it doesn’t work out, he just sets the money on fire. What he did in 2016 free agency after not being in the Durant sweepstakes has had multi-year repercussions for the city. He signed Ian Mahinmi (four years/$64 million), Andrew Nicholson (three years/$26 million), and Jason Smith (three years/$16 million). Over 218 games in a Wizards jersey, they combined to average 4.2 points a game, 2.8 rebounds a game, and .5 block per game. I’m 5’11 and I can have those averages in the NBA over 218 games.

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I’m giving Ernie Grunfeld a plan of action in this year’s free agency.

In an effort to not have the Wizards pay for the most expensive points, rebounds, and blocks again, I have schemed a plan of action to help Ernie out. This plan of action is going to have a Plan A (reach), Plan B (need), Plan C (second need), and a Plan D (safety) to keep Grunfeld focused during this process. Remember Ernie, when Plan A doesn’t work, you take money off the table because Plan B is not your first option. That is the most important part.

This plan of action will be focused on centers. The Wizards need a rebound monster, a rim protector, a scoring option in the paint, and younger body inside, in that order. Each plan option will highlight the corresponding need. With that, here is the 2018 free agent center plan of action for Ernie Grunfeld.

Plan A (reach): DeMarcus Cousins, covers all needs

This is the only option where I’m fine with doing whatever it takes. If after Grunfeld signs Cousins he needs to get rid of Oubre or Porter somehow, so be it. DeMarcus Cousins checks off all of the boxes for the Wizards needs. He did suffer a season-ending injury last year, but it was a freak accident. It is the only serious time, Cousins has missed.

With Wall and Cousins re-uniting and Beal splashing threes from the corner, the Wizards are ready to contend. Cousins would be the biggest name center Grunfeld has ever brought in and it’s not even close. Cousins being able to score in a variety of ways would open up the floor for Wall and Beal. The Wizards would look completely different than last year.

Ernie Grunfeld, please do the right thing. Make the necessary space available to bring aboard Cousins and finally break through the second round. Cousins is the best option at center for you to sign and take the organization to the Eastern Conference Finals. Don’t mess it up.

Plan B (need): DeAndre Jordan, rebound machine, rim protector, and pick and roll wall

If DeAndre Jordan ever gets out of LA, he should come to D.C. Consistently, he is in the upper-echelon of rebound statistics, year-in, and year-out. He is even known for his defensive presence, which would be a huge change of pace in the Wizards defense. Furthermore, he can run the pick-and-roll with John Wall because he had Chris Paul running it before.

If Cousins ends up going elsewhere, Jordan would be a great second option. Remember Grunfeld, the price of Jordan should be lower than what you would offer to Cousins. Just want to reiterate that. The only reason why Jordan is below Cousins is there is no mid-range for Jordan. He will slam it in your face with dunks, fastbreak dunks, and alley-oops. Maybe that can revitalize this city. Lob City East?

Plan C (second need): Brook Lopez, scoring option, rim protector

The biggest positive for Lopez is that he can score and he can do it in a variety of ways. Just Lopez being able to stretch the floor would give John Wall and Bradley Beal more space. He also averages 1.7 blocks a game. That in itself could win the Wizards games. Too many times, I felt like guards had the extra cajones to drive in the paint against the Wizards. No more of that malarkey.

Ernie Grunfeld has to shore up the defensive end for the Wizards. Lopez provides a legitimate scoring threat as well as a major upgrade on the defensive end. Lopez has also stayed relatively healthy during his 10-year career, playing 70 games in the last five out of six years. Grunfeld does not have to sign three different centers to cover all of the Wizards needs. Grunfeld needs to start signing players that check off multiple boxes and Lopez does.

Plan D (safety): Greg Monroe, scoring option, younger rebounding body

I think Greg Monroe has had a bad shake at the NBA. The Pistons had Andre Drummond so they let Monroe go. He signs a multi-year deal in Milwaukee thinking he is the man and then they trade him at the beginning of his second season with them. He gets waived three months later and then signs with the Celtics. Now, he’s a free agent again.

Washington could be a breath of fresh air for Monroe. He played in the Capital One Arena (back when it was Verizon) as a Georgetown Hoya. Maybe, coming back home would do wonders for Monroe and it could be a win-win for everyone.

Remember Ernie, you pay this option the least. He only scores 13.7 points a game and grabs only 8.6 rebounds a game. He is not worth top-dollar like Cousins. You are providing a chance for him to start and restart his career. Just be smart this Ernie, please. Every Wizards fan just wants to see smart moves.

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