Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld joined LaVar Arrington and Chad Dukes on 106.7 The Fan Thursday afternoon to discuss the acquisitions of Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza from the New Orleans Hornets.

One day earlier the Wizards traded Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft in order to pick them up.

Grunfeld told LaVar and Dukes he believes both Okafor and Ariza are high-character players who will have a positive influence inside the rather young Washington locker room.

He said it’s important to surround John Wall and largely youthful roster with veterans who know the importance of hard work and care about winning.

The GM also added that the team’s philosophy in going young has not changed. While the Wizards want to win as much as possible, they have no plans to forgo their plans to build around youth.

Still, it was that approach that may have gotten the team in trouble last year. The lockout prevented the young roster from coming together and gelling before tipping off the season.

As for the future? Grunfeld thinks the Wizards are setting themselves up for success like the newly crowned NBA Champions Miami Heat.

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