Timberwolves assistant Joseph Blair, who was serving as the club’s Summer League head coach, has departed his post for an assistant position on Wes Unseld Jr.’s staff with the new-look Wizards, reports Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Jon Krawcyznski of The Athletic tweets that Blair will be replaced at the Las Vegas Summer League by Timberwolves assistant coach Jeff Newton, about to embark on his third season in Minnesota. Newton is officially an offensive associate coach and player development coach with the club.
Krawcyznski opines (Twitter link) that this late loss of Blair is a blow for Minnesota. Blair had been set to help revamp the team’s defense after former Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool left head coach Chris Finch‘s staff for an opportunity with the Nets.
The Wizards, who were the No. 8 seed in the East during the 2020/21 season, have significantly revamped their roster over the summer.
The team traded point guard Russell Westbrook, wing Chandler Hutchison, and draft equity in an epic five-team deal that netted them point guard Spencer Dinwiddie plus valuable role players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell, as well as an intriguing young reserve point guard in Aaron Holiday and the draft rights to rookie forward Isaiah Todd, the No. 31 selection out of the NBA G League Ignite.
Washington also re-signed reserve point guard Raul Neto and selected Gonzaga swingman Corey Kispert with the No. 15 pick in this year’s draft.
Playoffs lock
Bucks
Nets
Hawks
Heat
Bulls
76ers
Who will make playoffs – pick 2 only
Pacers
Knicks
Wizards
Celtics
I still don’t think I’d call the bulls a playoff lock
and ofc listed above the Sixers. shocker.
Raptors!
Can’t blame him for bailing out on the Timberpuppies for an opportunity with a club that is making changes in an attempt to get better. As opposed to a team that is standing pat and standing on their laurels (and Hardys) based on a .500 finish over the final 22 games of a forgettable season for them and a meaningless stretch for their opponents over those final 22 games.
That is ridiculous; how unprofessional of him to do that.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic…
Why stay on the titanic?
At least the Timberpuppies ship has been sinking and (stinking) since 1989. That’s plenty of time to find a lifeboat !! Just look at how much the new ownership group is paying Glenn Taylor to jump ship !!