Francisco Oberto’s agent believed his client would decide early next week about his future, but when the San Antonio Spurs signed Theo Ratliff today, wiping out chances for a Oberto return, obviously, the 34-year-old Argentinian didn’t need any more time to think.
Oberto, according to agent Herb Rudoy, informed the Wizards that he would accept their one-year offer. Oberto gives the Wizards the veteran presence they sought, and comes at a relatively low cost ($1.99 million) for the Wizards, according to insiders, because Detroit still must pay the $1.9 million guaranteed portion of Oberto’s contract, which they inherited as part of the three-team trade that sent the center out of San Antonio.
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So now, the Wizards’ roster balances out to seven guards, four forwards and three centers. And a few of those players are capable of playing multiple positions.
So, expect the Wizards’ depth chart for the coming season to look something like this:
Point guard
Gilbert Arenas
Randy Foye
Javaris Crittenton
Mike James
Shooting guard
Competition between Mike Miller, Nick Young, Randy Foye for starting spot with DeShawn Stevenson (coming off back surgery) somewhere in the mix as a backup.
Small forward
Caron Butler
Dominic McGuire
Mike Miller
Power forward
Antawn Jamison
Andray Blatche
Dominic McGuire
Mike Miller
JaVale McGee?? (The Wizards announced his USA Basketball mini-camp invite as “center/forward JaVale McGee”)
Center
Brendan Haywood
JaVale McGee
Francisco Oberto
Andray Blatche
So where will it rank them? Much better than last year’s debacle, and back in the playoff race, but still probably just outside of the Eastern Conference’s elite circle (Boston, Orlando, Cleveland); probably battling Miami for the fourth spot.
