What retaining Randy Wittman means for the Wizards

This is sort of a big deal. (Nick Wass/AP)

Retaining Randy Wittman wasnt exactly a daring move for the Wizards as they continue their efforts to eventually become a playoff team once again. It does, however, carry considerable risk.

The immediate goals for the franchise arent nearly as high as they were when President Ernie Grunfeld signed Flip Saunders to a four-year, $18 million deal in 2009. But even with the team possessing a lower profile than three years ago when the team was trying to squeeze out one more postseason run from the Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler era this still was an incredibly important decision.

By giving Wittman a reported two years, the Wizards have also linked him to the most critical seasons of John Walls career: Wall will be eligible for a contract extension after next season and otherwise would hit restricted free agency in the summer of 2014. The Wizards have to sincerely believe that the third time will indeed be the charm for a coach with a career record of 118-238 and that Wittman can help Wall, the 2010 No. 1 overall pick, maximize his vast promise in Washington.

With a Hall of Famer in Jerry Sloan, Stan Van Gundy, Nate McMillan and Mike DAntoni among the successful retreads on the market, and assistants such as Brian Shaw and Mike Malone also available, the Wizards certainly had other avenues to pursue.

But Wittman was still under contract for next season and owner Ted Leonsis wanted to get a better sense of the coach who had the support of the players after winning eight of the final 10 games. Wittman and Leonsis spent a day together last month, and apparently hit it off. When Leonsis said he was very, very comfortable with Wittman at the NBA draft lottery, the next step was simple.

Wittmans hiring, though, also says a lot about a current trend in the NBA. Allotting big money to big-name coaches is starting to become more rare as the position becomes devalued and more expendable.

After Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers and George Karl, the fourth-longest tenured coach in the NBA is Erik Spoelstra, who is in his fourth season. Phil Jackson, the legendary coach with more championship rings (11) than fingers, was available and intrigued about a possible return to the New York Knicks where he also won two championships as a player. But the Knicks never even contacted Jackson, who earned $10 million in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

New York stuck with Mike Woodson, who guided the team to its only playoff game victory in the past 11 years after replacing DAntoni and came at a considerably lower price tag than Jackson likely wouldve commanded.

The price of NBA coaches was starting to come down well before the lockout, but the trend will continue with teams seeking ways to cut down costs under a new financial structure. Now, the Wizards didnt decide to keep Wittman only because of he was going to come cheaper than the alternatives the support of his players in exit interviews and his ability to connect with them was perhaps more significant but it certainly was a factor.

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What retaining Randy Wittman means for the Wizards