NBA

Forgotten fourth-year forward Deni Avdija must keep accelerating in Washington

Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards gestures after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Capital One Arena on January...

After a career night against New Orleans, Deni Avdija feels he’s still getting better and there’s room for further growth – music to the ears of Washington Wizards staff and fans alike. The fourth-year small forward has shown glimpses of potential but not taken a significant leap like other draft class agemates have, as the ball club have needed to exercise patience with the 23-year-old. Continue reading “Forgotten fourth-year forward Deni Avdija must keep accelerating in Washington”

NBA

Bradley Beal injury update: Suns guard sidelined until December with back strain

Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns looks on before an NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on November 17, 2023 in Salt...

Bradley Beal is having to exercise patience, easier said than done. Phoenix made a big offseason splash to acquire the three-time All-Star guard, who has only managed to suit up for three games with his new ball club this season and will be unavailable a little while longer as he recovers from a lower back strain – just one of the physical issues that he’s been dealing with since training camp. Continue reading “Bradley Beal injury update: Suns guard sidelined until December with back strain”

NBA

Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal NBA stars continue battling

Giannis Antetokounmpo calls the game as a referee during the game as part of a promotional event during his visit to China at Beijing Sport...

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s insistence he won’t agree terms on another multiyear extension in Milwaukee next summer, unless he feels everyone’s on the same page and still in championship contention, is another timely reminder that star players’ title window can quickly be rendered finite. The franchises and fans they play for, are more than aware of that – but navigating this is a tricky task. Continue reading “Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal NBA stars continue battling”

NBA

Bradley Beal traded to the Suns as Wizards’ rebuild phase finally begins

Waiving his no-trade clause to do so, the Washington Wizards are finally sending three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal to pastures new – the Phoenix Suns out in the West – for a package including Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, several second-round picks and a first-round pick swap, per ESPN tonight.
Continue reading “Bradley Beal traded to the Suns as Wizards’ rebuild phase finally begins”

NBA

NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up

Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on...

It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”

NBA

Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the first half at Capital One Arena on...

Bradley Beal became the 10th player in league history to receive a no-trade clause as part of his five-year, $251m max contract extension with the Wizards. Ten days later, another All-Star – Portland’s franchise star Damian Lillard – inked a two-year, $121m max vet deal to remain with the Trail Blazers, now under contract until the 2026-27 season. Will these decisions age well? 
Continue reading “Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions”

Archives

NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months

Nikola Jokic of Team LeBron and Joel Embiid of Team Durant talk during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022...

A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading “NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months”

Archives

Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards reacts during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 29, 2022 in Memphis,...

Three-time All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal acknowledged, when quizzed, that he’s leaning towards re-signing with the Wizards this summer. Turning 29 in June and eligible for a five-year, $246m extension if he declines next year’s player option, will the franchise star live to regret his indecisiveness or be truly satisfied with how things have unfolded in recent seasons?
Continue reading “Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason”

Archives

Wizards’ Bradley Beal keeping all of his options open ahead of free agency

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 8, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit,...

This coming offseason, Washington Wizards’ star shooting guard Bradley Beal is set to become an unrestricted free agent – which inevitably will see multiple franchises circling as they try convincing him to leave a market he’s remained in since he was drafted ten years ago. As far as he’s concerned, every option remains available to him as far as his next career step goes… Continue reading “Wizards’ Bradley Beal keeping all of his options open ahead of free agency”

Archives

Lakers agree trade deal for Wizards’ Russell Westbrook, featuring three-player package

Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 28, 2021 at Capital One Arena in...

After a disappointing playoff campaign, the Lakers have again been bold as they try to return top of the NBA food chain once more with this trade. But amid questions over the perennial All-Star guard’s fit in Southern California, is Russell Westbrook the answer to their problems? Continue reading “Lakers agree trade deal for Wizards’ Russell Westbrook, featuring three-player package”

Archives

Wizards 110-107 Warriors: Bradley Beal’s spirited surge saves Wiz blushes

Watch Bradley Beal drain game-winning 4-point play, Wizards top Warriors

All-Star SG Bradley Beal didn’t need telling he struggled – but stepped up when his teammates relied on him most, scoring six points in the final 6.1 seconds to push the Washington Wizards past a determined Golden State Warriors effort with a 110-107 victory on the road overnight. Continue reading “Wizards 110-107 Warriors: Bradley Beal’s spirited surge saves Wiz blushes”

Archives

NBA Previews: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls, struggling Wizards travel to Timberwolves

Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 144-97 win over Miami Heat

Read on for two NBA previews as the action continues in what has been an unpredictable start to the new season. Milwaukee target an emphatic response following their defeat in Miami when hosting the Chicago Bulls, who snapped their struggles with successive wins against a dismal Washington Wizards (0-5) side. Can Scott Brooks’ men finally prevail away in Minnesota? Continue reading “NBA Previews: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls, struggling Wizards travel to Timberwolves”