Wizards Notes: Kuzma, Hachimura, Beal, Porzingis, Goodwin
The Wizards played perhaps their best game of the season on Thursday night vs. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, winning 113-105 despite missing stars Bradley Beal (health and safety protocols) and Kristaps Porzingis (left groin strain).
The team’s success on offense could largely be attributed to Kyle Kuzma, who was the go-to scoring and play-making option with Beal and Porzingis unavailable. Kuzma led all scorers with 36 points on 14-of-26 shooting and also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out six assists, playing a role similar to the one Doncic has in Dallas. Kuzma said after the game that he enjoys being a primary ball-handler, though he doesn’t feel the need to match Doncic’s league-high 39.1% usage rate.
“No question I would love to do that, 100%,” Kuzma said, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “I love challenges. Maybe not (39.1%), that’s a little aggressive. I don’t think you can win NBA championships of that nature with that. That’s a lot. But I have that type of ability to where I can make others better, I can score, I can do a lot of different things.”
With a $13MM player option for 2023/24, Kuzma has the ability to become an unrestricted free agent in July, so this is a big year for him. He said on Thursday that he’s trying not to think about that, however.
“I just try to live in the moment. I mean, it’s cliche but I’ve done a lot of soul-searching this summer and I do a lot of meditating and whatever is for me in life is for me. It’s going to come eventually. I’m not tripping,” Kuzma said. “… Money, basketball, the success; it’s going to come. I think I learned that my first go-around with my first contract and I’m just in the moment and I’m just hooping.”
Here’s more on the Wizards:
- Besides Kuzma, Rui Hachimura was also a standout in Thursday’s win, racking up 23 points and playing good defense. As Josh Robbins of The Athletic notes, both Kuzma and Hachimura will be eligible for free agency next summer, raising the question of whether the team will retain both forwards or ultimately have to choose between one or the other. Kuzma could be a popular trade target this season for teams in need of frontcourt scoring, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets.
- Beal and Porzingis are both considered day-to-day, according to Ava Wallace of The Washington Post, who notes that Beal first tested positive for COVID-19 and that head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said the guard’s symptoms have subsided “quite a bit.”
- Promoted from an Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way deal at the end of the preseason, guard Jordan Goodwin is making an impact for the Wizards in the early part of the 2022/23 season. He scored a career-high 17 points on Monday and has been at least a plus-10 and has registered five or more assists in each of the last three games. Wallace at The Washington Post and Robbins at The Athletic both took a closer look this week at what Goodwin is bringing to the team.
Wizards Notes: Kuzma, Avdija, Defense, Chemistry
Wizards power forward Kyle Kuzma recently discussed his new role as Washington’s leading scorer (for now), per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
“Never did it (with the Lakers),” Kuzma said of serving as a primary offensive option. “Obviously, we had great players so that wasn’t my calling. But I have that ability. I can get a rebound and push, I can orchestrate things. I have a high enough IQ to understand who needs the ball in situations and what we kind of need.”
Through his first three games this year, Kuzma is averaging a career-high 19.7 PPG, on .465/.400/.688 shooting splits. He is also pulling down 7.0 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.3 BPG.
There’s more out of D.C.:
- Newly-anointed Wizards starting small forward Deni Avdija is reveling in his fresh opportunity among the club’s first five, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “It just shows coach and the organization trust in me,” Avidja said. “They chose that they believe in me and they think that I deserve to be a starter and create and get some of the pressure off the other guys in the starting five. I feel like I’m kind of the glue guy in the starting five,” Avdija said. “I’m trying to make the right play. I’m playing defense, I’m rebounding. I’m trying to do everything I can to help the team and get pressure off from a couple of players that you could say are ball dominant more.”
- Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. anticipates Washington will continually honor the best defensive player of each individual game throughout the regular season, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Unseld and his assistant coaches are hoping that incentivizing solid defense in this manner will help improve the club’s overall performance on that end of the hardwood. “I think a lot of times players in any sport are kind of assigned accolades with your offensive performances,” Unseld said. “In football, certain colleges do it. We just thought of it as a gimmick in nature but (also) something our guys can kind of buy into. They can lean into it, because it’s a real belt.”
- The 2022/23 Wizards are getting along swimmingly, which was not the case last season, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. “I mean, we’re all just playing the right way,” Kuzma said of the team’s improved chemistry this year. “We have a veteran team, we have a team where we all like each other, and I mean that’s the biggest thing. We can tell we all like each other.” Center Daniel Gafford feels similarly. “The key point is the relationships and stuff are wanted more,” Gafford said. “Everybody’s not seeking individual goals; it’s a full-out team goal. We all want to win. We all want to play in the postseason, and that takes being together and playing as a unit. Being there for each other and taking constructive criticism. If somebody gets on your tail, you take that and use it to be able to progress in the game.”
Wizards Notes: Avdija, Kuzma, Porzingis, Carey
Wizards forward Deni Avdija, who has been dealing with a left groin strain this fall, played 5-on-5 on Thursday for the first time since training camp began, tweets Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. As Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes, Avdija told reporters earlier this week that he was taking painkillers to deal with the injury while playing for the Israeli national team in August and September.
“It was just something that popped up this summer. I played on pills with the national team to kill the pain,” Avdija said. “At the end of the (EuroLeague tournament), I was barely walking. So, I knew coming into the season, it was kind of frustrating for me after the good summer that I had, taking some backsteps, but it is what it is. I’m here now.”
As Avdija goes through the ramp-up process and attempts to work his way back into game shape, here are a few more notes on the Wizards:
- In another story for NBC Sports Washington, Hughes takes a closer look at the Kyle Kuzma‘s role for 2022/23 as the veteran forward adjusts to playing alongside Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. While it may take some time to establish chemistry, Kuzma’s wide-ranging skill set should help him coexist with Washington’s stars, says Hughes.
- Porzingis (ankle) will sit out the Wizards’ preseason finale on Friday, but his absence is considered precautionary and he expects to be ready to go for next week’s regular season opener, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
- Wizards big man Vernon Carey entered the NBA’s concussion protocol on Thursday after being involved in a minor traffic accident, the team announced (via Twitter). Carey is considered day-to-day.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic thinks the Wizards are capable of finishing with a top-10 offense this season, but will struggle on defense due to a “glaring lack of perimeter stoppers.” He projects a 38-44 record and the No. 11 seed in the East.
Wizards Notes: Porzingis, Davis, Avdija, Kuzma
Kristaps Porzingis has a new look as he starts his first training camp with the Wizards, writes Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. The veteran big man lost seven pounds during the offseason in an effort to become more mobile and more durable. Injuries limited him to 51 games last season, and he hasn’t played in more than 57 since tearing his ACL in 2018.
Coach Wes Unseld Jr. said Porzingis will begin the season without the restrictions he had after being acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline. That means no more cap on his minutes and no more holding him out of back-to-back games. Porzingis believes he can return to elite status if he stays healthy, and he cited an ESPN story ranking him as the 86th-best player in the league as a sign of disrespect.
“Especially this year, I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder because of the ESPN rank, the this, that, it’s kind of — okay,” he said. “I use it as gasoline, as energy. I’m looking forward to reminding everybody what I can do on both ends of the floor.”
There’s more from Washington, D.C.:
- Johnny Davis is eager to bounce back from a disappointing Summer League performance, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. The 10th pick in this year’s draft is expected to contend for playing time with the team’s second unit. He suffered a minor back injury in Las Vegas, but team president Tommy Sheppard confirmed this week that Davis is 100% heading into camp. “He got back into the lab and got healthy,” Sheppard said. “He struggled a little bit at the Summer League with some back stuff. When the players got together in L.A., I think everybody saw what we saw all season from him as a player in college.”
- Second-year forward Deni Avdija is dealing with a groin injury he suffered while playing for Israel this summer, Hughes adds in a separate story. “I feel like the doctors and the trainers will do the best they can to get me healthy as fast as possible and get me on the court,” said Avdija, who considers the injury to be minor. “But for now, I trust them and I trust the organization. We’ll see.”
- In another piece, Hughes notes that the Wizards’ offseason moves including trading for Kyle Kuzma‘s childhood friend, Monte Morris, and signing his former college teammate, Delon Wright.
Wizards Notes: Kuzma, Barton, Point Guards
Returning to the playoffs will be the number one objective for the Wizards this season, Kyle Kuzma told Mike DeStefano of Complex. The team has been stockpiling young players recently, including No. 10 pick Johnny Davis in this year’s draft. Although there’s plenty of talent on hand, Washington regressed in Wes Unseld Jr.‘s first year as head coach, falling to 35-47 after reaching the postseason the year before.
“It’s all about getting to the playoffs. That’s my mindset,” Kuzma said. “The NBA’s always better when you can win. We probably had one of the more talented teams that Wizard fans and the DMV’s (DC, Maryland and Virginia) seen in recent years and we have to figure it out, take that leap, and start playing winning basketball. That’s the most important thing that we have to do.”
Kuzma’s interview took place at New York Fashion Week and focuses mainly on clothing, including some of his more memorable outfits. He also talks about his favorite throwback jerseys, including the Wizards’ versions from the Michael Jordan era.
There’s more from Washington, D.C.:
- The Wizards’ starting lineup appears mostly set with training camp getting underway next weekend, but there will be a competition to determine who starts at small forward, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Hughes says Will Barton, who was acquired from the Nuggets in an offseason trade, appears to be the favorite, citing his experience and his familiarity with Unseld from their time together in Denver. Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, Rui Hachimura and maybe even Davis will also be in the mix.
- Newly acquired Monte Morris and Delon Wright will be the only two veteran point guards in camp, Hughes adds in the same story. General manager Tommy Sheppard said Bradley Beal and Davis may see some time at the position, and Davion Mintz could be used there if he makes the roster.
- The Wizards haven’t posted a winning record in five seasons, but they also haven’t fully bottomed out and tried to rebuild, notes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. He credits that decision to owner Ted Leonsis, who proclaimed nearly four years ago that the organization would never tank. Robbins believes the Wizards missed an opportunity by not trading Beal when his value was at its highest.
Wizards Notes: Davis, Morris, Wright, Kuzma
Wizards lottery pick Johnny Davis hasn’t looked sharp in Summer League action and an injury could be to blame, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
Summer league coach Zach Guthrie said Davis is dealing with back tightness, which could explain why he’s struggled to get past defenders and hasn’t been driving to the basket.
“That’s a question for Johnny, and I’m sure if you asked him, he’d say no,” Guthrie said. “That’s the type of kid he is. He’s a no-excuses, tough-nosed type of player.”
Davis tried to downplay the issue. “It doesn’t impact me at all,” Davis said. “I just make sure I keep the heat pack on it and make sure I’m not sitting down so it doesn’t get tight on me.”
We have more on the Wizards:
- Monte Morris, acquired from the Nuggets to solidify the point guard position, says he’s embracing a leadership role, as he told Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. “I’m not going to be scared to speak up. I’m not going to be scared to give my experience with me playing a lot of playoff games,” Morris said. “… Guys are going to be looking at me to speak up and give my knowledge because I’ve played in the playoffs every year I’ve been in the league.”
- The other major addition at the point, free agent acquisition Delon Wright, said he’s looking forward to an expanded role after backing up Trae Young in Atlanta last season, Robbins relays in a separate story. “(There’s an) opportunity to grow with the franchise,” Wright said. “Over the past couple of years, I’ve been playing behind All-Star point guards, so it’s been hard to kind of show everything I can do. So initially that was something that I wanted to get out of free agency: somewhere where I can go and just spread my wings more.”
- Wright’s teammate in college, Kyle Kuzma, was pivotal in convincing him to sign with Washington, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes. “He knows what I can do. That was his recruitment pitch,” said Wright, who signed a two-year, $16MM contract.
Wizards Rumors: T. Jones, Wright, Brogdon, Murray, Kuzma, KCP
While the Timberwolves are expected to have interest in a reunion with Tyus Jones, the rival team that has been linked most frequently to the Grizzlies‘ free agent point guard is the Wizards, says Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
According to Fischer, Jones is believed to be seeking a multiyear deal worth in excess of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which projects to come in at $10.35MM.
The Wizards, who are in the market for a starting point guard, will be over the cap, limiting their ability to offer more than the full MLE. However, they could potentially get there if Jones is interested in coming to D.C. and they can figure out a sign-and-trade deal that the Grizzlies would get on board with.
Here’s more on the Wizards:
- Delon Wright has been mentioned as another free agent guard who is on the Wizards’ radar, per Fischer. Wright will be an unrestricted free agent after spending the season in Atlanta.
- Although Malcolm Brogdon still looks like a viable trade target for the Wizards, the team never seriously considered including the No. 10 pick in last week’s draft in an offer for him, Fischer writes.
- Sources tell Bleacher Report that the Wizards are among the teams to inquire on Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, though Washington probably doesn’t have the assets necessary to make the best trade offer for Murray.
- Forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope continue to be identified by league personnel as players who are available in trade scenarios, according to Fischer. Caldwell-Pope’s full $14MM salary for 2022/23 became guaranteed after he wasn’t waived on Tuesday, notes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link).
Point Guard Rumors: Brogdon, Knicks, Wizards, Morris, Murray
Although the Wizards and the Knicks are the two teams that have most frequently discussed a possible Malcolm Brogdon trade with the Pacers, people around the league are skeptical that either team would include its 2022 lottery pick in a package for Brogdon, says Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
If those league officials are right, that means a Brogdon trade could end up looking more like Portland’s deal for Jerami Grant. The Trail Blazers are giving up future picks (and a swap of 2022 second-rounders) for Grant, but aren’t including this year’s No. 7 overall pick. The Wizards and Knicks pick 10th and 11th, respectively, and will likely attempt to keep those picks as they pursue Brogdon.
According to Fischer, the Wizards have been open to discussing Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in trade conversations, while the Knicks have explored trade options involving Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker, and Cam Reddish.
Here are a few more rumors related to the point guard market:
- With the Wizards widely believed to be seeking a trade for a veteran point guard, one potential target worth keeping an eye on is Nuggets guard Monte Morris, according to Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Responding to rumors about Dejounte Murray‘s possible availability, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com tweets that the Cavaliers have had conversation with the Spurs about Murray dating back to the trade deadline in February.
- Besides Brogdon, Morris, and Murray, some other point guards believed to be available via trade this offseason include Mike Conley of the Jazz, Terry Rozier of the Hornets, Devonte’ Graham of the Pelicans, and D’Angelo Russell of the Timberwolves, according to Fischer.
Wizards Notes: Daniels, Washington, Draft-Day Trade, Beal
Dyson Daniels believes he’d be a good fit in the backcourt next to Bradley Beal if the Wizards draft him with the No. 10 pick, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Chicago writes. The G League Ignite guard visited the Wizards on Saturday.
“Obviously, Beal’s a great player and has been a great player for a long time. I think we would fit well together,” he said. “We can both play off each other a little bit. I can play off the ball with him, he can play off the ball with me. It takes a little time to adjust to playing with new people, but there’s definitely a fit there for sure.”
We have more on the Wizards:
- TyTy Washington, another possibility with that first-round pick, says that former Washington point guard John Wall is an inspiration to him, Hughes writes in a separate story. “I definitely looked up to him. His little signature dance got me kind of hipped onto him. Seeing that, his high school mixtape, his college highlights and then seeing what he did in the NBA, it’s definitely amazing,” he said. “Nobody has ever seen anybody that big and that fast doing the stuff he was doing.”
- Wrapping things up, Hughes examines whether Daniels or Washington would be a better fit.
- A trio of writers from The Athletic — Josh Robbins, Kelly Iko and Jason Jones — discuss the possibility of the Wizards trading into the top four in the draft. They conclude it’s highly unlikely, even if Kyle Kuzma and the 10th pick are part of the package.
- A sign-and-trade of Beal for Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell? Robbins says the odds of that happening are less than one percent, considering Beal hasn’t expressed a desire to be moved to Utah and that he’d benefit more financially by re-signing on a max deal with Washington.
Los Angeles Notes: Beverley, James, Jackson, Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope, Pelinka
Patrick Beverley felt the contract extension offer he received from the Clippers before they traded him last offseason was “borderline disrespectful,” he said on J.J. Redick’s “The Old Man and the Three” podcast (hat tip to Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports).
“Me being there from the beginning, I’m thinking that this contract extension, I’m thinking it’s going to be easy. I walk in and they throw me a number that I felt was borderline disrespectful,” Beverley said.
Clippers executive Lawrence Frank worked out an amicable solution by trading him to Memphis, who then shipped him to one of his top destinations, Minnesota. Beverley signed a one-year extension with the Timberwolves last month.
We have more on the Los Angeles teams:
- LeBron James carried the Lakers to victory over Washington on Friday with another 50-point performance, and coach Frank Vogel wonders if James best suited to be a center at this stage of his career, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes. “Maybe after all these years, him playing center was really the best way to utilize him,” Vogel said. “Because that’s where he’s been doing it, by playing the center position with (Anthony Davis) out. Doing whatever the team needs to win games. And just an incredible, unbelievable, epic performance by LJ.”
- Reggie Jackson lavished praise on Clippers fans, calling them the heart of the city, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register writes. “I understand what it is in this city, it definitely is overwhelmed by Lakers fans. But I feel like Clippers Nation is like the heart,” he said. “It truly is L.A. It’s more so. No shot to them over there, but they’re the lights. They’re bright lights. They’re Hollywood. That’s the Lakers. … But I feel like we’re definitely the heart of the city – or that’s something we want to embody.”
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope felt that getting traded by the Lakers was almost inevitable, as he told Mark Medina of NBA.com. “Every single year with the Lakers, I was in trade talks,” Caldwell-Pope said. Kyle Kuzma, who was also a part of the Russell Westbrook deal, said he’ll always have a place in Lakers history. “I’m cemented as a winner, and I’m cemented as a Lakers champion,” he said. “For me, it’s not about ‘what if.’ It’s time to move on. It’s time to improve my game.” The Lakers honored the duo with a video tribute on Friday, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
- The Lakers are suffering from “organizational fatigue” due to the demands of putting a championship-caliber team around James, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN (video link). Windhorst doubts GM Rob Pelinka can do anything significant to fix the team’s issues this offseason, since the Lakers have already dealt most of their assets. “They have nothing they can really trade of huge value,” Windhorst said.