The Wizards figure to have a busy week that could well determine the success of their medium-term plans. They started it by formally introducing longtime staffer Tommy Sheppard as their new general manager, finally closing the lid on a protracted search for the fired Ernie Grunfeld. The erstwhile assistant was himself involved in the process, but became the leading candidate when Nuggets head of hoops operation Tim Connelly, their primary target, begged off and actually recommended him. And they look to end it on a high note by offering resident All-Star Bradley Beal a three-year contract extension worth a whopping $111 million.
Truth to tell, Sheppard wasn’t on Wizards owner Ted Leonsis’ sights, never mind his role as executive vice president during Grunfeld’s tenure. Because the latter preferred to keep the head honcho insulated from subordinates, the work he did wasn’t immediately apparent. As soon as a change in the regime was warranted, however, he promptly showed his mettle — justifying Connelly’s endorsement and his eventual assumption of the hot seat. And, as expected, first on his list of To Do’s is the institution of a culture that values incremental gains en route to replicable progress as opposed to quick hits for one-and-done outputs.
Little wonder, then, that Sheppard has described the move that rid the Wizards of marquee-name-turned-journeyman Dwight Howard as “the quickest trade I’ve ever done in my life,” and that he has, in turn, stockpiled on youthful assets that require nurturing but don’t yet possess habits that need to be unlearned or baggages that have to be unloaded. And, outwardly, Leonsis is all in. Needless to say, the same green light applies to the contract extension to be presented to Beal on Friday. The offer to tack on three more years to the deal, which doesn’t end until 2021 , simply underscores how importance the head honcho’s favorite player by far is to their future.
Creditably, Beal has indicated that he will give the offer the attention it deserves. At 26, he’s entering the prime of his career, and he will, no doubt, be weighing his options based on his commitment to winning. That said, he has given the appearance of staying, going so far as to be involved in the Wizards’ actions, including those in the draft, since Sheppard’s promotion. He has until October to decide. Meanwhile, they’re not only giving him the room to do so; they’ve publicly committed themselves to keeping him even if he opts not to affix his Hancock on the proposal.
By all accounts, the Wizards are serious in turning their fortunes around the right way. They’re not going for Band-Aid solutions. Rather, they aim to build solid foundations. Parenthetically, they’ve surrounded Sheppard with dedicated professionals, which should, if nothing else, show Beal they’re serious in abandoning one and dones for more, even if it means sacrificing in the interim. Leonsis is pumped, and for the first time in a long, long while, he has reason to be.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
