Let’s get you up to date on the news, rumors, and content that you might have missed on the Washington Wizards this week (including actual basketball):
- In the Wizards’ first preseason game, they lost to the Rockets 125-119. You can find four takeaways from that contest here, including some indication that Aaron Holiday may have a high usage role off the bench.
- In the Wizards’ second preseason game, the team had some issues defending the 3-point line but there were some silver linings in the loss. Check out four quick takeaways from the contest here.
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The team announced that it will have an open practice on Monday, October 11 at Morgan State University. The event marks the first open practice the team has held at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
- Deni Avdija missed the team’s first preseason game but was able to make his much-anticipated return in the second.
- Daniel Gafford Hype:
- Spencer Dinwiddie said Gafford may be the best dunker on the Wizards. The point guard also compared the center to his former teammate, Jarrett Allen.
- Kyle Kuzma spoke about how Gafford has the potential to be a top-notch defensive big and what the 23-year-old needs to do to reach that potential.
- Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post profiled on Gafford in a piece that looks at the big man’s summer work among other areas. It’s worth a read.
- Spencer Dinwiddie said Gafford may be the best dunker on the Wizards. The point guard also compared the center to his former teammate, Jarrett Allen.
- The team had a little fun at practice on Thursday, lining up for some football drills. Bradley Beal manned the QB position during much of the session.
- Beal revealed that he has ambitions to win the MVP this season among other goals and expanding his range will likely be part of him taking the next step in his progression.
- Beal might be the first player to play rock-paper-scissors with a fan during a game; I’m not sure that’s something that is tracked but kudos to Rockets reporter Kelly Iko for the in-game reporting.
- Montrezl Harrell spoke about the leadership dynamics on the Wizards, telling FortyEightMinutes and other media via zoom that he’s the “backup voice for (Bradley Beal)” when needed.
- Harrell also spoke about his excitement to be with the Wizards where he feels like he has a chance to be fully utilized. The center indicated that he didn’t get enough run for the Lakers last season. “I damn near felt like I had a season off. So, I’m using this preseason to really ramp back up and knock off a lot of the rust on my own game, really,” Harrell told FortyEightMinutes and other media via zoom.
- Former Wizard John Wall is sitting out for the Rockets as he and the team amicably search for a trade. ESPN’s Bobby Marks argues that Houston may not need to attach draft picks to Wall in order to move him and his contract while adding the point guard could sit the entire year if the franchise is comfortable with that scenario.
- Check out last week’s Wizards’ Week in Review here.
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