Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are reportedly open to trading their lottery pick of No. 10 overall in the 2022 NBA draft.

According to ESPN NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony, the Wizards want to improve their backcourt and could use that pick to do so whether it is by utilizing it or trading it.

Givony mocked Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis to the Wiz at 10th overall but also reported that it is "widely assumed" Washington would be willing to trade the selection for a "proven backcourt player."

After sneaking into the playoffs with a 34-38 record in 2020-21, the Wizards experienced a downturn this season, going 35-47 and finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the step back was the health of star shooting guard Bradley Beal, who missed 42 games primarily because of a wrist injury that required surgery.

Without Beal, Washington's backcourt was largely listless, and it relied heavily on forwards and centers such as Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Daniel Gafford and Rui Hachimura to lead the way.

Aside from Beal, who led the team in scoring this season with 23.2 points per game after averaging over 30 points per game in each of the previous two campaigns, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the only guard to finish in the top seven in scoring on the team among players who were still with the franchise at the end of the season.

Additionally, Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith are the only guards guaranteed to be under contract for the Wizards next season as of now since Beal has a player option and could decide to become a free agent.

Even if Beal opts in or signs a long-term extension, there is no question that Washington needs backcourt help, especially at the point guard position.

Spencer Dinwiddie was the Wizards' point guard for about half of the 2021-22 season, but he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal for Porzingis. That left the Wiz incredibly thin at guard.

KCP stepped up and started 77 games, but with just 1.9 assists per game, he clearly isn't the type of playmaker the Wizards need alongside Beal, assuming Beal returns next season.

Although he stumbled this season after getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook paired fairly well with Beal during the 2020-21 season and helped Washington reach the playoffs.

If the Wizards can find a similar player on the trade block, it would make sense to make a run at him and perhaps part with the 10th overall pick, which is far from guaranteed to yield a star player.

Nearly every NBA team would want to acquire Bradley Beal if he becomes available, but the superstar could also choose to remain the long-term face of the franchise for the Washington Wizards.

NBA reporter Marc Stein provided the latest intel on Beal:

I've heard a rumble or two in recent months from parties hopeful of luring Bradley Beal away from Washington that Beal is known for saying, in essence, that he wants to be the Dirk Nowitzki of the Wizards in terms of playing only for the franchise that drafted him No. 3 overall in 2012.

Stein noted Beal's words in a recent interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks:

Does Bradley Beal stay with Washington? I say to Bradley that to the outside world it feels simple - that he is making a decision between making money or winning. His response:

FULL episode: https://t.co/LsazLYU1fv pic.twitter.com/aYvNQsuC1P

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 10, 2022

"If I feel like I can win in DC, that’s what I’m gonna do, and I want people to respect that," Beal said.

Dirk Nowitzki spent his entire 21-year NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, leading the team to one title in 2011. The team is installing a statue of Nowitzki outside of the American Airlines Center.

Beal has spent the first 10 years of his career in Washington and is looking to make a similar impact on the organization.

A main difference has been the lack of success in recent years, with the Wizards coming off their fourth straight season with a losing record. The last playoff series win came in 2017, which was also the last time John Wall played more than half the season with Washington.

Beal has emerged as an individual star with three All-Star selections in the past five years, twice averaging over 30 points per game in this stretch. However, he has been unable to carry the squad deep into the playoffs on his own.

It leaves a difficult choice for Beal as he goes into the offseason with a $36.4 million player option.

If he becomes a free agent, he can re-sign in Washington on a five-year deal max worth $242 million, per Rooks. If he signs with another team, the max deal would be worth $179 million over four years.

Beyond the money, Beal is also clearly considering where he can win and where he can leave a legacy.

The Washington Wizards "are not interested" in Minnesota Timberwolves star D'Angelo Russell, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North.

Wolfson opened the most recent episode of The Scoop by reporting the Wizards want to add a "lead guard" this offseason but that Russell isn't on their radar.

On May 11, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported the Timberwolves were rumored to be "willing to gauge [Russell's] trade value. Fischer followed up on May 31 to report the 2018-19 All-Star was a possible target for the New York Knicks.

While Minnesota is coming off a 46-win season that saw it reach the first round of the playoffs, the franchise is facing a dilemma in that it might have reached its ceiling with Russell as the primary playmaker and second star alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.

The 6'4" guard averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from beyond the arc in 2021-22.

Russell is a positive contributor overall, but his $31.4 million salary for the upcoming season doesn't reflect the value he provides on the court. The emergence of Anthony Edwards has made him a bit redundant in Minnesota as well.

For now, the Wizards are continuing to attempt to build a contender around Bradley Beal even though he can opt out of his deal this summer. Beal said in May he's "leaning toward" re-signing with Washington, which would require the arrival of reinforcements after the team failed to even qualify for the play-in tournament.

By making a move for Russell, though, general manager Tommy Sheppard would risk making the same mistake the Wolves did when they acquired the 26-year-old.

He wouldn't help improve a unit that finished 23rd in defensive rating, per NBA.com, and his fit alongside Beal isn't ideal since he's more of a combo guard and not a natural distributor. Russell Westbrook certainly commanded a large role in the offense during his lone year in the nation's capital, yet he also led the league in assists (11.7 per game).

The Wizards will presumably be active in trade negotiations over the coming weeks—assuming Beal comes back—but Russell shouldn't be a primary target for Sheppard.

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is undoubtedly one of the most coveted players around the league, but it appears that he doesn't plan on going anywhere.

According to Ava Wallace of the Washington Post, Beal is likely to sign a massive contract extension to remain with the franchise despite its perennial struggles.

"Beal said he is still leaning toward signing a multiyear deal with Washington worth roughly $250 million this July, and in the meantime, he’s focused on rehab after having his cast removed in late April following season-ending wrist surgery in February," Wallace wrote.

Per Spotrac, Beal has the choice of playing the 2022-23 season under a $36.4 player option. He would then become an unrestricted free agent and undoubtedly draw a ton of interest on the open market.

Beal was limited to 40 games in the 2021-22 season because of his wrist injury. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists, but he shot a career-low 30 percent from three-point range.

The Wizards drafted Beal with the No. 3 pick in 2012. Since then, he's grown to become the face of the franchise. He's earned three career selections to the NBA All-Star Game. However, Beal has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, failing to play more than 60 games in any of the past three seasons.

Despite his time away from the court, Beal said he's realized how much he loves the Washington, D.C. community and being part of the franchise with which he started his career.

"This injury also gave me a mental break, a time to evaluate life, and I haven't changed my mindset," Beal said. "I enjoy being in D.C., I enjoy being on this team."

Washington went 35-47 and fell short of the playoffs for the third time in the last for years. The Wizards have the No. 10 pick in next month's NBA draft, so perhaps they find a blue-chip player who can fit nicely alongside Beal.

Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly expected to make his Washington Wizards debut Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

According to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, the expectation is that Porzingis will be available Sunday as long as things go well during the shootaround.

Hughes added that Porzingis was a full participant in practice Saturday for the first time since joining the Wizards.

Porzingis, who was acquired by Washington from the Dallas Mavericks last month, has not played since Jan. 29 because of a knee injury.

Dallas made a somewhat surprising move prior to the trade deadline by moving the player it had acquired from the New York Knicks in 2019 with an eye toward making him Luka Doncic's primary running mate.

After parts of the three seasons with the Mavs, Porzingis was traded to Washington in a deal that returned Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.

The 7'3" Porzingis has been a productive player when healthy during his seven-year NBA career, but durability is a major issue.

He has never appeared in more than 72 games in a single season, and he has played in fewer than 60 games in each of the past five campaigns, including missing the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL.

In 34 games this season, the 26-year-old power forward is averaging 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers made per contest, while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Porzingis was named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career with the Knicks in 2017-18, and he continued to put up strong numbers during his time in Dallas.

In 134 regular-season games as a member of the Mavs, Porzingis owned averages of 20.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 three-pointers made, 1.8 assists and 1.7 blocks per contest.

If Porzingis can remain healthy for the remainder of the regular season, he represents a massive addition to the Wizards' lineup.

Washington has largely struggled this season, but it is in 11th place in the Eastern Conference at 28-34 and is just two games out of a spot in the postseason play-in tournament.

Adding Porzingis to a core that includes Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rui Hachimura, Daniel Gafford and Deni Avdija could make the Wizards a threat to sneak into the playoffs even without star guard Bradley Beal, who is out for the remainder of the season.

Ultimately, acquiring Porzingis was likely a move meant to help convince Beal to re-sign with the Wizards, and if Porzingis plays at a high level the rest of the way this season, Washington may be able to accomplish that mission.

The Washington Wizards landed Kristaps Porzingis ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, but according to NBA reporter Marc Stein, they were "as eager to ship out Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans as the Mavericks were to move on from the idea that Porzingis could be the ideal co-star for Luka Doncic."

The Wizards sent Dinwiddie and Bertans to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Porzingis, a one-time All-Star who's averaging 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game this season, and a second-round pick. 

Though the deal provides upside for a team that needs additional star power alongside Bradley Beal, Washington also managed to remove some dead weight.

According to Stein (h/t HoopsHype), Dinwiddie "turned off numerous co-workers in his brief time in D.C.," while Bertans "has declined steadily and worryingly."

Bertans signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension in November 2020 after averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range in 2019-20. Two seasons later, the forward is averaging only 5.7 points per game while shooting 31.9 percent from deep.

Bertans still has $33 million guaranteed over the next two seasons before an $16 million early termination option in 2024-25, per Spotrac, which perhaps motivated the Wizards to get his contract off their books.

Dinwiddie was in his first season of a three-year, $54 million deal with Washington, but his production has not lived up to expectations. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 assists in 44 games with the Wizards, but his 37.6 field-goal percentage is among the worst in the NBA.

Between his mediocre production and the reported concerns about him in the locker room, losing Dinwiddie could be addition by subtraction for the Wizards.

Washington now has a new set of issues with the oft-injured Porzingis, who is owed a fully guaranteed $33.8 million next season and has a $36 million player option in 2023-24. He's shooting a career-worst 28.3 percent from deep this season and has been inconsistent defensively.

However, Porzingis still has the upside to give the Wizards a frontcourt presence they haven't had in a long time.   

Before the Dallas Mavericks traded power forward Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards, they were reportedly negotiating with the Toronto Raptors.

NBA insider Marc Stein reports that talks fell apart because the Raptors had trepidations over Porzingis' extensive injury history.

"Toronto, league sources say, stepped away because of concerns about Porzingis' long-term health," Stein wrote.

The Mavericks managed to pivot quickly after talks ended with the Raptors, trading Porzingis to the Wizards in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Stein noted that Washington was open to business because the team was ready to move on from both players.

"The Wizards, sources say, went ahead with the trade on their end—to add to the bluntness—because they were as eager to ship out Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans as the Mavericks were to move on from the idea that Porzingis could be the ideal co-star for Luka Doncic," Stein stated.

Porzingis hasn't played since Jan. 29 because of knee soreness. He's dealt with multiple ailments throughout the season that have limited him to 34 games. The 26-year-old is averaging 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this year.

According to Stein, the Wizards were actually more interested in parting ways with Dinwiddie than they were in acquiring Porzingis. The veteran point guard reportedly didn't have a good reputation in the Washington organization.

"The Wizards, in truth, were actually even more eager to rid themselves of Dinwiddie (who is said to have turned off numerous co-workers in his brief time in DC) and Bertans (who has declined steadily and worryingly since signing a five-year, $80 million contract in November 2020) than Dallas was to shake things up," Stein wrote.

It is unclear when Porzingis or Dinwiddie can make their respective debuts for their new teams. Dallas will return to action on Tuesday against the Miami Heat while Washington will host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Luka Doncic was as surprised as everybody else to see Kristaps Porzingis traded by the Dallas Mavericks.

"I didn't expect it," Doncic told reporters following the team's 112-105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. "It was shocking. I was still a little bit sleepy."

The three-time All-Star added the Mavs are "going to miss KP."

"We were building something great here," he said. "It didn't obviously work out. I wish him the best, and we've got two new guys who are welcome."

While a Porzingis trade didn't come to feel as inevitable as the James Harden and Ben Simmons swap, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported last February the Mavericks had "quietly gauged the trade market" for the Latvian big man.

More unexpected than the trade itself was what Dallas got back.

Spencer Dinwiddie struggled mightily in his first year with the Washington Wizards, shooting 37.6 percent from the floor. Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported on Jan. 31 the Wizards were hopeful of moving Dinwiddie because "he looks like a shell of his former self and his teammates don't want him there."

Davis Bertans, meanwhile, is a stretch big who's only hitting 31.9 percent of his threes this year.

There isn't even much benefit for Dallas in shedding Porzingis' contract because Dinwiddie and Bertans basically combine to make as much money over the same period of time.

TRADE#Mavericks Acquire (-$1.4M)
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Davis Bertans#Wizards Acquire (+$1.4M)
- Kristaps Porzingis
- 2nd Rd Pick

Remaining Contract
Porzingis: $10.7M, $33.8M, $36M
Bertans: $5.4M, $16M, $17M, $16M
Dinwiddie: $5.8M, $18M, $18.8Mhttps://t.co/8STk2mNmFs

— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 10, 2022

In time, the Mavericks' reasoning for offloading Porzingis when they did may become clear.

The 26-year-old has battled injuries throughout his career—he's currently out of action because of a bone bruise in his right knee—which is less than ideal when he had such a significant part in Dallas' long-term plans.

The dynamic between Porzingis and Doncic could have been more fractured than the organization was willing to admit publicly.

Is it totally a coincidence that Doncic dropped 51 points, nine rebounds and six assists immediately after the trade?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enOdYTpZKus

The Mavericks staked their future in Porzingis being the ideal complementary star for Doncic. Now, it's back to the drawing board for general manager Nico Harrison as he builds the roster around the young star.

Just hours after a busy trade deadline, the Washington Wizards defeated the James Harden-less Brooklyn Nets 113-112 on Thursday at Capital One Arena to improve to 25-29 on the season. 

The Wizards traded Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. 

Washington also traded Montrezl Harrell to the Charlotte Hornets for Vernon Carey and Ish Smith, per Wojnarowski. So they were without several starters given those moves. 

The Wizards were also without All-Star guard Bradley Beal, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing season-ending surgery on his left wrist, according to Wojnarowski. 

The Nets were also short-handed Thursday following their deal sending Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks, according to Wojnarowski. Kevin Durant is still recovering from a sprained MCL, so Brooklyn fans will have to wait to see him, Kyrie Irving and Simmons in action together.

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Notable Stats

Kyle Kuzma, SF, WAS: 15 PTS, 13 REB, 10 AST

Kyrie Irving, PG, BKN: 31 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 1 BLK

Raul Neto, PG, WAS: 21 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST

Cam Thomas, SG, BKN: 27 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, WAS: 13 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL

Blake Griffin, PF, BKN: 15 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL

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Wizards Get Full Team Effort 

It was a weird night for the Wizards following the trade deadline. They were without Dinwiddie, Bertans and Harrell, whom they traded, and also without Beal, who recently underwent wrist surgery.

However, they received a full team effort to edge the Nets in what was one of their more impressive wins of late. Kyle Kuzma and Raul Neto led the way in the starting lineup, combining for 36 points. Kuzma also recorded his first career triple-double.

Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija and Anthony Gill led the way off the bench, combining for a whopping 40 points to help put the Wizards over the top.

KCP gets us on the board to start the game!#DCAboveAll | @DraftKings Daily Fantasy pic.twitter.com/seGbHPX9Lo

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

Keep that ball moving!#DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/YmjT4wqc7P

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

That's a no from Rui, fam. #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/Dwda50xmZD

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

That man Kuz is flirting with a triple-double 👀

15 points
12 rebounds
9 assists#DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/5n54N6LGHJ

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

Go to work, Deni! pic.twitter.com/XlBsska9Wx

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

TRIPLE-DOUBLE KUZ!

15 points
13 rebounds
10 assists

🔥🔥 @kylekuzma 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/T2vS7CM0tT

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

YESSSIR, KCP!#DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/eAElJuyEWd

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 11, 2022

If this is how the Wizards are going to perform following the trade deadline, it's undoubtedly a good sign moving forward, especially considering the fact that they'll be adding Porzingis, Carey and Smith into the rotation very soon. Porzingis should immediately step into a starting role following the departure of Harrell. 

The Wizards should feel really good about their depth off the bench. Not many teams can rely on their bench to get the job done, but for the Wizards, it's very clear they have plenty of bench players ready to step into a starting role if needed.

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Nets Unable to Support Kyrie Irving 
Although Irving, Harden and Durant played just 16 games together during their tenure in Brooklyn, it was often clear the latter two players carried the weight as Irving is only able to play road games because he refuses to compy with New York's City's vaccination mandate for indoor arenas.

On Thursday, the tables were turned, with Irving having to carry the weight as Durant was sidelined with an MCL sprain.

While Irving put up 31 points, it wasn't enough to beat the short-handed Wizards. However, it's hard to blame the loss on Irving as the Nets failed to get much production out of anyone else besides Cam Thomas.

Cam wasting no time 💪 pic.twitter.com/mX0Ct1NuxM

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2022

Natural. Born. Scorer. pic.twitter.com/cNKYnwFKTG

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2022

Yeah... good luck guarding this pic.twitter.com/7K7bx2Z5lr

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2022

Blake Griffin finished with 15 points and James Johnson finished with 13 points, but Kessler Edwards, who started for Brooklyn, didn't contribute anything on the scoresheet.

It should be noted the Nets should be able to rebound moving forward, especially with the additions of Simmons and Curry. While Simmons hasn't played at all this season, Curry is in the midst of one of his best years in the NBA.

The veteran guard is averaging a career-best 15.0 points, in addition to 3.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep.

If Simmons and Curry can mesh well with Irving and Durant, the Nets could become an elite team.

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What's Next?

In their second game after the trade deadline, the Nets will travel to face the Miami Heat on Saturday, while the Wizards will host the Sacramento Kings. 

The Washington Wizards have suspended assistant coach Mike Batiste two games without pay for his verbal altercation with a fan during the 121-100 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday. 

Late in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss, Batiste got into an argument with a fan before Montrezl Harrell, Thomas Bryant and security intervened. 

Here's video of what happened between a Wizards assistant coach and fans tonight. https://t.co/Il9WRZCKQq

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) February 8, 2022

Batiste will serve the first game of his suspension on Thursday night when the Wizards host the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena. He will also miss Saturday's home game against the Sacramento Kings. 

Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. addressed the incident following Monday's game, telling reporters he believed a fan said "something that was out of line," and that's how the altercation began. 

"I think it was a situation where something was said that was a bit over the line, and I think it got the best of one of our coaches, but either way, you gotta take the high road," Unseld said.

https://twitter.com/NBCSWizards/status/1490884044057370627

After trading Russell Westbrook and adding Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma, the Wizards had high hopes entering the 2021-22 season, but it has been yet another disappointing year. 

Washington enters Thursday's game against the Nets with a 24-29 record and sits 11th in the Eastern Conference. Things got even worse for the franchise this week when it was revealed All-Star guard Bradley Beal would undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

With things continuing to spiral, the team decided to shake things up ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. According to ESPN's Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon, the Wizards reportedly traded Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick.

In addition, the Wizards reportedly traded Harrell to the Charlotte Hornets for Vernon Carey and Ish Smith, per Wojnarowski. 

If the new additions can't help the Wizards turn things around, they'll miss the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.