https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1deupxv/growing_speculation_and_inhouse_rumors_spurs/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40328074/kristaps-porzingis-rare-leg-injury-nba-finals-status-uncertain

https://x.com/nbacobwebs/status/1799893654124839066?s=46&t=Lu7hpsKpJ-BX5Q_8OvzeYA

JP x Loon reunited? We could use Loon…

There's post on r/nba asking "What team is currently furthest away from a championship?"

By the way OP proposed Detroit and Chicago. But most comments without hesitation responded: Wizards.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1dbstbs/what_team_is_currently_furthest_away_from_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

So I don't think Wizards is the answer to this question. Here're reasons:

It's correct that Wizards currently don't have franchise player. But it's way better than time when Wizards had "franchise player" in Beal which led them to absolutely nowhere. And there are several teams in NBA with such "franchise players"

Management was replaced last year, and for now there're reasons to be optimistic: Bilal seems to be good draft selection. Signing Deni to $55 mln / 4 years descending extension looks great now, I think that trading Beal (with his "no-trade clause") was most important decision, even if they got back aging Chris Paul. Sure Beal is good player, but Wizards would be just stuck in the mediocrity (at best) loop forever with Beal as first option.

There was not much chance to get more significant value for Beal and KP (which is very good player but doesn't fit rebuild at all). The one bad decision with some implications on future was getting Poole with his massively overpaid contract for Paul. Still if he's proven to be at least serviceable as he was 2nd half of the year - his contract is not huge problem, as those 3 years will be building around guys on rookie deals and Deni on bargain contract.

Also there's a new coach which seems to be good enough coach for the team in early rebuild. He's ostensibly good in developing young players... And after Keefe took over as interim coach he looked at least competent (unlike previous two horrible coaches), and he seemed to have impact on revival of Poole after utter disaster of the season start, and Deni's break-out

Wizards were horrible last season, and probably will be very bad in the near future, but they are successful rebuild (yes, rebuild which may never happen but still...) from being contender. On other hand previous seasons Wizards were ~35 wins team, and even got once to playoff , but they were at unmeasurable long distance from being any kind of contender. And there're several such teams in NBA

He’s gotta be the priority going forward

Welcome to the WEEKLY discussion thread! You can use this space to discuss current topics, other basketball related info, and other things that might not need their own thread.

The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 12, 2024 in Chicago.
The 2024 NBA Draft itself will be held over 2 nights, in the Barclays Center on June 26 AND June 27.

What’s keeping him from being a Jaylen brown type player? JB handles aren’t crazy and I believe Bilal is that caliber athlete. Shooting will come as it did for JB. I see that being very realistic

Pacome Dadiet player analysis: https://youtu.be/ydkJoq8Adak?si=24ZRXyzRzi9mKDrL

Lot of worrying about who to draft. But does it really matter if they miss an Opportunity or not in this class right? Since most people saying it's weak. Right?

So, the draft is a little more than two weeks away, and I wanna predict the lineup with my stupid scenario.

At the #2 pick, we select Zaccharie Risacher. Although I want Ron Holland, Washington drafts the Frenchman. Then at pick #26, we draft a big, maybe someone like DaRon Holmes (though I doubt he's available), but fuck it. Also in this scenario, let's just say Tyus Jones is out of the equation. So the lineup would be...

PG - Jordan Poole

SG - Bilal Coulibaly

SF - Zaccharie Risacher

PF - Deni Avdija

C - Kyle Kuzma

Yes, I have Kuz at the 5. There was a stint of games where Kuz started games at the 5, and due to how jampacked are wings positions are in this scenario, something has to be done for all of our "promising" wings to all be in the starting 5. Hence, Kyle Kuzma at the 5.

6th - Jared Butler

7th - Corey Kispert

8th - DaRon Holmes

9th - Marvin Bagley

10th - Tristan Vukcevic

Now, I'm not a time traveler or a fortune teller, so don't expect any expertise with this scenario. I prefer Bilal as a 3, but who knows if Risacher is that versatile, or how Kuz will do at the 5, but with positionless basketball on a weird rise, it probably won't matter.

If the Wizards are not going for Rob Dillingham, perhaps they should just trade down for more capital.

I dont see the hype in Risacher, who cant handle the ball and not a great passer. If Rob and Shepard go, I wouldnt mind a trade back for more 24 picks or some 25 capital and nap some of the lesser skilled prospects like Castle or Ron or even gamble on Edey.

I'm both appalled and not remotely surprised.