Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld just took part in a conference call to discuss the team's decision to acquire Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor from the New Orleans Hornets for Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick. Many have suggested that the deal increases the likelihood that the Wizards will select Florida guard Bradley Beal with the No. 3 pick because they have a hole at shooting guard.
Wizards-Hornets Trade: Ernie Grunfeld Says Deal Won’t Affect Washington’s Draft Plans
However, in the conference call, Grunfeld said the deal does not change the Wizards’ draft plans. Here’s what he told the assembled media, including SB Nation.
“It doesn’t affect the draft,” Grunfeld said. “Teams are going to draft who they want to draft in front of us anyway. I think we’ll know who the No. 1 pick is going to be, and if teams are lacking a certain player, they know who they’re going to pick anyway. I don’t think this trade has to do with anything [in the draft], as far as that’s concerned.”
Grunfeld later said that one benefit to the deal is that “I don’t think that we’re depending on a rookie to come in and play 40 minutes a night for us.” For more of Grunfeld’s comments, visit Bullets Forever.
For more on the Wizards, head over to Bullets Forever and check out SB Nation D.C. For more on the Hornets, visit At The Hive.
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