Wizards dip a toe into free agency

Let me get this out of the way quickly: Wizards point guard John Wall will wear #2. Okay, now that is out of the way, let's get on to the real news.

The Wizards won't be major players in the NBA free agency chase, but they have about $5 million of cap room right now and won't be afraid to spend it to find a decent quick forward, for example.

There have been rumors that Childress would return to the NBA this season and the Wizards have been repeatedly mentioned as a possible destination for him. I like Childress and he would help out at quick forward [good athleticism, rebounding, transition, defense, not a good shooter], but I'm pretty sure the Atlanta Hawks will have the right to match any contract the Wizards -- or anyone else -- offers Childress. Of course, since the Hawks are ready to give $119 million [the max] over 6 years to Joe Johnson [and he's going to take it, sources say], Atlanta may be disinclined to sink another, albeit smaller, fortune in Childress.

The Wizards could free up some cap space by renouncing the rights to all their free agents -- Josh Howard, Mike Miller, Shaun Livingston. That means they wouldn't be able to sign any of them for a year. I don't think that matters, though, since Livingston is definitely going somewhere else, Mike Miller is almost as certainly going somewhere else and Howard reportedly won't be recovered from his devastating knee injury until December. I don't see any reason not to renounce those guys, unless the Wiz want to bring Howard back at a huge discount. Washington could also use Miller or Livingston in a sign-and-trade deal if those guys want more money than the mid-level exception. I don't see Livingston getting more than that, though, considering his extensive injury history.

In any case, the Wizards won't give anyone a long-term contract. Washington is clearly gearing up for a big free agent run in a year or two and anyone who signs with the Wiz is probably looking at a 1-year deal. Two years at the most. That will rule out a lot of guys.

I've written about how keeping Mike Miller, despite his infuriating unwillingness to shoot, would be helpful. [Read that here.] I've also written that I don't think it is happening.

The New York Knicks are going to meet with Miller, hoping to sign him to contact. I can't believe they'll sign Miller soon, though, since they are trying to keep as much cap space open as possible to bring in Lebron James and maybe another A-list free agent. Clearly, though, Miller is on the Knicks' radar. If Miller is serious about playing for a winner, he won't sign with New York until he sees what else they do because right now that roster his hideous.

Miller will also be meeting with the Miami Heat, but they will also keep their powder dry until they see what they can do with Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh, et. al.

Meanwhile, Washington's new owner, Ted Leonsis [a favorite of ours at DC Pro Sports Report, we must confess], seems quite content to not be a part of the free agency madness consuming the NBA. Ted writes at his website: