The Washington Wizards' recent three-way trade with the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets is in equal parts about the team?s future and its present.  Washington parted with veteran guard Antonio Daniels and a conditional draft pick GM Ernie Grunfeld finagled for Juan Navarro,and received veteran guard Mike James and youngster Javaris Crittenton.

For the Wizards, the trade was not a referendum on Daniels.  A team source says Daniels was, ?nothing but a prince here? ? a great pro who exceeded their expectations.  But injuries forced him to play far more minutes than they had anticipated, and the feeling within the franchise is that Daniels has worn down to the point that he could not carry the heavy load anymore.

The trade will give James ? at age 33 ? a steady diet of minutes.  The team desperately needs backcourt scoring until Arenas is able to return to the lineup, and James will have the opportunity to fill that role.

The team is acutely aware of the fact that James has underwhelmed in his last two stops in Houston and New Orleans.  They also know that players typically don?t abruptly improve from age 33.  But, for the Wiz, this is a low-risk, high-reward move.  They know what Daniels would be able to give the team going forward, and it doesn?t fit the franchise?s current needs.

Washington?s braintrust is hoping that the downturn in James? performance was caused not by a lack of ability but rather by being a poor fit in Houston, and then getting on Byron Scott?s bad side in New Orleans.  A league source points out that other residents of Scott?s doghouse include J.R. Smith and Brandon Bass ? guys who have proved to be solid NBA performers when they changed teams.  Ultimately, it was a bet worth making because James and Daniels have nearly identical contracts, which makes swapping the two cap neutral.

Acquiring Crittenton is decidedly about the future.  Dee Brown, whom the team released to make room on the roster, was a good guy who did everything the team asked of him.  Unfortunately, he lacked the skills and physical attributes to be a quality NBA player.  The Wizards know that Crittenton must learn how to play the NBA game ? something he hasn?t done yet.

Crittenton is viewed as an elite athlete who can penetrate and finish in traffic.  His size and strength suggests he has the ability to be a tough defender, but he is a work in progress.  Still, he has the size and physical abilities for the team to envision him on the floor in combos with Arenas, Nick Young, DeShawn Stevenson, or Caron Butler when Butler is getting minutes in the backcourt.  

This is not a transformative deal for the team, but if James can return to the kind of production he offered from 2005 through 2007, he will help the team immediately.  It?s worth noting that outside the top three teams in the East, no one is running away from the pack.  The Wizards sport the conference?s worst record but sit just five games out of the playoffs.  A small boost from James or Crittenton could keep the team within striking distance of the postseason until Arenas can return.

In addition, head coach Ed Tapscott is viewed as a player development specialist and will now manage a roster that has six players 23-years old or younger.  Each of these players has unique skills, and it will be a challenge for Tapscott to simultaneously develop their games, blend their talents, and win games.

The front office believes it has a good foundation for the future, and for today, but I?m not so convinced.  My feeling is that the Wiz won?t get the kind of play from James that he provided Houston, Toronto, and Minnesota a few years ago.  At age 33, I suspect those days of fairly efficient scoring are behind him.  And, I think they?ll miss Daniels? leadership and steadiness.

I?m more hopeful about Crittenton, who has a world of potential.  He?s making better decisions with the ball as evidenced by improved assist and turnover numbers.  His shot remains an adventure, and he still hasn?t figured out the nuances of NBA defense, but there?s hope.

Most of all, this deal is about hope.  The team hopes that James can give them an immediate lift ? that he can be a kind of Arenas-lite ? and get the back in the playoff race.  And they hope that Crittenton can develop into a contributor over time.  Wizards' fans hope they?re right.