Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards Chasing Scott Brooks, But He Might Not Be Right Guy

The Washington Wizards want to hire Scott Brooks. Remember, the Wizards are a team that is desperately clinging to a dream scenario of Kevin Durant coming to Washington, just because it’s his hometown. Given how bad the team was this season and the uncertainties surrounding the roster, Durant will likely opt to go somewhere more stable.

But, even though everyone has learned that Washington likely won’t get Durant, the team is still willing to risk its future for the sake of potentially enticing the former MVP.

So, when it was announced that Washington has Scott Brooks ranked first on their coaching list, was it that surprising? It shouldn’t have been.

We’ve constantly been talking about potential trades, free agents and coaches for the Wizards. We forget, though, that the Wizards are probably the most unimaginative team in the NBA.

The scenarios we discuss won’t happen, because the scenarios we discuss require imagination and risk. They don’t do anything outside of the box. Ernie Grunfeld has been in the NBA for eons. His imagination is gone.

There’s a reason why the team leans on veteran players so much. Grunfeld and former coach Randy Wittman (it definitely felt weird to type that) knew what to expect from the likes of Alan Anderson, Gary Neal and Jared Dudley.

They were simply too afraid to give Otto Porter and now Kelly Oubre a chance when they deserved it. That’s why Rasual Butler and Garrett Temple were getting run over the aforementioned young players. Because the team is afraid of change. Washington would rather lose in a comfortable area than take a chance.

The Wizards, meanwhile, remain in pole position in the chase for Scotty Brooks with the Rockets still engaged in a playoff series — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 18, 2016

When the Wizards inevitably hire Brooks or another NBA retread, they will be left with dead Kevin Durant dreams and a mediocre coach.

By virtually all accounts, Brooks was not a bad coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He did cost them dearly, though.

His lack of imagination on the offensive end of the floor, rigid rotations and reliance on veterans hurt Oklahoma City’s chances of ever winning a championship under his leadership. Sound familiar?

There aren’t a lot of coaches in the NBA, and certainly free agent coaches, that would be categorized as “great.” Brooks is not one of those coaches, either. He’s a solid player developer and knows how to unify a locker room. But, when it’s time to win on the biggest stage – which should be every team’s goal – Brooks is not the right guy for the job.

Brooks is going to bring more of the same to the Washington Wizards.

Unless something shocking happens and the team looks outside of the box, there is really no reason to be that excited for the new head coach. We pretty much know what to expect from Brooks, Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Hornacek, Mike D’Antoni and all of the other recycled coaches that have been linked to D.C.

Instead of taking the unconventional route and finding a coach that could grow and maximize the team’s potential, the team will go with what they know best. As long as Grunfeld is calling the shots, the team will continue to lack imagination – thus continue to be mediocre.