Ernie Grunfeld wanted Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green to return for another season — and maybe beyond. Had he not gotten fired, there was a good chance both would wear a Washington Wizards jersey next season.
Since he bought the Wizards in 2010, Ted Leonsis has taken a hands-off approach to running the team. He trusted Grunfeld could eventually configure a contender in D.C., despite the years of evidence that pointed to the contrary.
While Leonsis was probably a bit too forgiving with Grunfeld and the decisions he made during his seemingly life-long tenure as the team’s president, Leonsis’ approach, at least in theory, is logical.