Wizards head coach Brian Keefe provided an update on Alex Sarr‘s recovery from the adductor injury that has kept him sidelined for the last six games, telling reporters on Sunday that the big man has not progressed to doing on-court work during practice, per Varun Shankar of The Washington Post (Twitter link).
As Shankar notes (via Twitter), Keefe previously referred to Sarr’s injury as a minor one, but these kinds of soft-tissue ailments can be hard to pin down and the Wizards are being cautious with the recovery process for one of their core players. The French big man is still making progress toward a return, Shankar adds.
Sarr has been one of the bright spots for the 4-20 Wizards this season, showing major growth in nearly every statistical category and leading the team in points (19.1), rebounds (8.6), and blocks (2.0) per game, while ranking third in steals (0.8) and fifth in assists (3.3).
We have more notes from the Wizards:
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised guard Bub Carrington before the Wizards beat Indiana on Sunday, according to Shankar (Twitter link). “He’s a terrific young player. He’s had a lot of good games against us,” Carlisle said. “He’s skilled, he’s big, he’s versatile, he can play different positions. I think he’s a good defender, his shooting is the real deal.” When Shankar proposed Derrick White as a potential high-end comparison for Carrington as two guards who don’t get to the rim much but shoot and defend well, Carlisle responded that he agreed with the assessment (Twitter link). Carrington has struggled to find his role this season after starting 57 games for Washington last year, but he has played well in his last three games, all starts, averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 assists per night.
- Cam Whitmore has missed the last three games due to coach’s decision. Keefe initially said the reason for his sitting was for failing to meet team standards, though he later walked that back and said that it was more a matter of giving other players a chance. Keefe echoed that sentiment when asked once again about it following the team’s 130-126 loss to the Cavaliers. “[Cam is] gonna be back in here in the mix at some point, it always works out this way,” he said, per Shankar (via Twitter). We’re seeing different guys — Will Riley, Jamir [Watkins] — those guys stepped up and have been playing well. Just looking at those combinations, nothing more than that.” Riley scored 12 points in 23 minutes in Sunday’s victory over the Pacers.
- Keefe has been experimenting with using a zone in an effort to boost the team’s 30th-ranked defense. It was very effective on Sunday, as Indiana scored just 89 points against Washington — it was the first time this season that the Wizards had allowed fewer than 107 points in a game. “We did that a little bit the last game. Been working on it in practice last week,” Keefe said of the zone, per Shankar (via Twitter). “Wanted to mix up our coverages, some different things to see how they would handle it. Thought our guys did a good job and it helped change the rhythm of the game for us.“
Offer McCollum, Bagley and Sharife Cooper’s two way contract to Miami for Rozier, Simone Fontecchio and a pick
Offer Middleton and Justin Champagnie to Utah for Nurkic, Niang, cash and a pick
Waive Rozier, Nurkic, Niang, Malaki Branham and Gill
Promote Tristan Vukcevic
Sign Jacksen Moni or their draft rights guy, Jamarion Sharpe on two ways, Mo Bamba, Taj Gibson, Jae Crowder and Reggie Jackson for veterans on the bench
Not sure why Utah does that deal.
McCollum makes some sense for Miami, but not at the price of a FRP.
I mean Utah gets a pick not Washington
Miami can send a bunch of 2nds which would be fine
Yannick Nzosa 6’10 174 from the Congo, 22 year old is their draft rights guy*
To the trainors of alex sarr… try taping the hip adductors for inhibition. Stretch, Ice, ice, ice.
I don’t really buy Keefe’s comments on Whitmore since he has already gone back on things he’s said before. Thats besides the point though, guys who have had their roles reduced since last year like Bub Carrington (kinda a bad shooting night tonight though) and Justin Champagnie are making the most of their minutes with the injuries. Champagnie especially deserves quality minutes, the dude is as physical and aggressive as they come on both the offensive and defensive end, in particular the rebounding game. Which has been a huge weakness for this team.
Cam Whitmore seems like a guy who can’t get out of his own way. Everyone agrees he has great upside, but if you can’t do “team” and you are not a potential superstar then you may not have a place in today’s NBA.
It seems to be shaping up that way for Whitmore. He is 21 so he still has a chance to put it all together, but the clock is ticking.
Whitmore is not developing his game. He’s the same player he was when he got drafted.
Yes, he can score in transition, yes, he’s capable of explosive plays. But we knew that 3 years ago.
His decision-making with the ball? Not improved. His half-court repertoire against a set defence? Not expanded. His defensive impact? Not improved.
You don’t get far in this league when you don’t develop your game.
Agree with all that and…: this team has a lot of wings with upside and no need to win this season, so there just isn’t much reason to give playing time to Whitmore over, say, Will Riley or George or Coulibaly.
Or McCollum, Middleton, Bagley, Champagnie and Sharife Cooper’s two way contract to Milwaukee for Kuzma, Portis, Porter Jr, Rollins, Gary Trent, Cash and picks
Try to trade Kuzma to any bidder right after. Waive the expiring contracts
Waive Gill, Branham, Trent and Porter Jr
Promote Tristan Vukcevic
Sign Reggie Jackson, Taj Gibson, Jae Crowder to standard contracts
Sign their draft stash guy 22 year old PF Yannick Nzosa out of the Congo to a two way contract
Start competing to win