Wizards guard Jared Butler signed a multi-year, standard NBA contract, the team announced on Friday.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Butler, who was on a two-way contract, signed a new three-year deal.
Butler, 23, is averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting a career-best .490 from the field in 35 games with Washington this season.
Over his last ten games with the Wizards, he has been averaging 9.2 points and 5.2 assists.
The Baylor product also played in 16 games for the Capital City Go-Go (the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate) this season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
Butler holds career averages of 4.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 83 career games over three seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City, and Washington. He originally signed his two-way contract with the Wizards on July 28, 2023.
In a related move, the team waived forward Isaiah Livers.
Livers was acquired via trade from Detroit on January 14 along with Marvin Bagley III. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season with joint capsule inflammation in his right hip on February 26.
Make it five straight for the Dallas Mavericks (31-23) as they defeated the Wizards 112-104 in comeback fashion on Monday night in Dallas.
The Mavs trailed for most of the night and by 10 entering the fourth quarter, and after a Richaun Holmes hook early in the fourth, Washington (9-44) pushed the lead to 11. Dallas’ Jaden Hardy scored eight of the team’s next 13 points to cut the lead to 95-94, and Luka Doncic would give the Mavs the lead for good on a step-back jumper.
Dallas would outscore the Wizards 34-16 in the final stanza.
Doncic finished with a triple-double as he had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists, and Kyrie Irving also chipped in with 26 points.
This contest also was Daniel Gafford’s first game against against his former team, and he did his part. He had 16 points, 17 rebounds(a career-high 14 rebounds in the first half), two assists, two steals, and five blocks tonight against Washington. Only Anthony Davis has recorded such a stat line in the last three years in the NBA.
“It went well for the most part,” Gafford said of playing his former team. “I enjoyed seeing all the guys again. They came out and handled business. It took us a minute, but we got it done in the end. It was something to adjust to, hearing the same guys I’ve been in the locker room for three years talking trash to me.”
Irving was happy with the way Gafford, who Dallas acquired from the Wizards before the trade deadline, reacted against his former team.
“Great effort,” Irving said. “He did his best at controlling his emotions or allowing his emotions to show … Just allowing the attitude inside him to focus on doing whatever it takes to win. Going against your former team is always going to bring out those natural emotions, so I’m grateful I got to see him in that environment tonight, see how he responded. Just proud of him. In his last two games, he’s done incredibly well, and he’s been a big force down there for us.”
Playing with Doncic and Irving means that Gafford will get some open looks, and Wizards’ forward Kyle Kuzma, who had 23 points on Monday night, believes his former teammate’s life will be easier in Dallas.
“Gafford’s got the easiest job in sports now,” Kuzma said. “You know, everybody is going to double. He’s just got to catch the ball in the middle of the key, and he just has to make the right play, either pass it or dunk it. [He got] 16 [points] and 17 [rebounds] in 24 minutes, that’s tough. I am happy for him. I am very happy for him.”
Washington has now lost seven straight, and they play their final game before the break on Wednesday night against the Pelicans, while the Mavs host the Spurs.
Notes:
-Deni Avdija notched 25 points (11-17 FG, 1-3 3FG, 2-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one block. Avdija’s 25 points tied for his career-high. With 25 points tonight, Avdija has recorded at least 20 points in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.
-Tyus Jones recorded 14 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, 16 assists and 2 steals. Jones’ 16 assists are his most in a game in his career (prev. 15 at NYK, 1/18/24). His 16 assists mark the most in a game by a Wizard since Bradley Beal against the Chicago Bulls on New Year’s Day (1/1/22).
-On Monday, Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 11. It marks the second time this season (Dec. 18) and the 11th time in his career that he has received the honor. Doncic led the Mavericks to a 4-0 week with averages of 31.3 points (.513 FG%, .442 3FG%), 10.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 37.5 minutes per game.
Former Wizards star Bradley Beal returned to D.C. as the Phoenix Suns came to town to battle the Wizards on Sunday.
Beal, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Wizards, was traded to the Suns in the offseason.
In his return to D.C., the three-time All-Star got a standing ovation during introductions, a video tribute, and proceeded to score 26 of his season-high 43 points in the first half as the Suns routed the Wizards 140-112.
Washington (9-40) has now lost three straight, while the Suns (29-21) have won three of their last four.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Botton Line of Wizards’ loss to the Suns.
Great:
Wizards forward Deni Avdija had a team-high 24 points (10-13 FG, 3-5 3PT). He really was the only bright spot for Washington.
Much of Eugene Omoruyi’s production came when the game was out of reach, but he battled. Omoruyi scored a season-high 16 points (6-12 FG), set a career-high with 10 rebounds, and notched three steals in 23 minutes from off the bench for his first career double-double.
Not So Great:
Defense: Phoenix scored 79 points in the first half and ended with 140 points. The Suns shot 61% from the field. They got way too many easy looks, and Washington had no answers for Beal, who carved up his former team—Phoenix, who never trailed in this game, led by as many as 32 points.
Turnovers: Washington was sloppy with the ball and had 18 turnovers, which led to 27 points for the Suns.
Jordan Poole: He had four points on 1-7 from the field, including 0/3 from deep. It just wasn’t his day.
Bottom Line:
Beal wanted to this game badly, and it showed. He was big-time. Phoenix blitzed Washington, and they had no chance in this one. It’s just one of those days where you just appreciate how good of a player Beal was for the Wizards and how good he was on this day.
“I guess I know this gym a little bit,” Beal said after the win.
What’s Next?
Washington has a few days off as they return Wednesday night and finish their four-game homestand against the Cavaliers.
Best of the Rest:
Wizards center Daniel Gafford had 15 points (7-7 FG), seven rebounds, and two blocks. Corey Kispert added 15 points, and Tyus Jones chipped in with 14 points and a team-best eight assists.
Washington had six players in double figures.
Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic had 18 points apiece. Nurkic added 13 rebounds and eight assists. Beal added six assists.
Kyle Kuzma (Left shoulder soreness) missed Sunday’s game, and Marvin Bagley III (Low back contusion) missed his second straight game for the Wizards.
The number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, made his first and only trip to D.C. this season on Saturday night as the Wizards hosted the Spurs, and Wemby did not disappoint.
In 28 minutes of action, Wembanyama, who is on a minutes restriction, had a game-high 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and six blocks and punctuated a 12-0 run in the fourth with a game-tying three with just over two minutes to go.
The teams went back and forth, and San Antonio took the lead for good after two Jeremy Sochan free throws with 28.6 seconds left. The Wizards had one last chance to tie, but Kyle Kuzma missed a three, and the Spurs would defeat the Wizards 131-127.
Washington (7-34) has lost three straight and nine of their last ten, and the Spurs (8-34) snap a four-game losing streak.
A big storyline coming into this game was Wembanyama going up against a familiar face on Saturday night. For the first time as pros, Wemby and fellow Frenchman and former teammate, Bilal Coulibaly, who the Wizards selected with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, faced off against each other.
Coulibaly had 14 points off the bench. After the loss, he discussed his excitement about playing against Wemby.
“It was a fun time,” said Coulibaly. “Just happy for each other. We grew up together playing with each other when we were like 12; now, we’re playing in the league against each other. Just loved the moment and can’t wait to win that next game.”
Wembanyama is proud of his former teammate and friend.
“Incredible,” Wemby said of playing against Coulibaly. “I’m so proud of him… It always makes me happy to see people I love make their dreams come true. it’s happening for more young French basketball prospects. I’m very grateful for this.”
Coulibaly did get a block on Wembanyamma, but he wanted more.
“I wanted to dunk on him,” Coulibaly said. Yeah, I had the block, so I’m happy with it.”
Leading up to their big matchup, Coulibaly said he would talk trash to Wembanyama in French so that no one would understand; according to him, he did not get much of a chance to do it, and unfortunately for Coulibaly, Wemby got the last laugh.
Before the game, we talked a little bit, but he got the dub,” Coulibaly said.
These two teams play again nine days(Jan. 29) from now, so Coulibaly will have an opportunity to get some revenge, but in the end, both players won because they are playing in the NBA.
Notes:
-Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III tallied 21 points (8-19 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal for his second straight double-double and his third double-double of the season.
-Washington had seven players in double figures.
-The Jones brothers also went head-to-head. The Spurs’ Tre Jones had 11 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists, while Tyus Jones had 13 points and six assists.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson has been diagnosed with a left distal radius(wrist) fracture, the team announced on Sunday.
Johnson left in the second quarter of the team’s 136-108 victory against the Wizards in D.C.
The third-year forward underwent an X-ray Saturday night in Washington and an MRI Sunday morning in Boston.
According to the Hawks, he will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, and his status will be updated as appropriate.
This season, in 15 games, Johnson is averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per contest.
The Washington Wizards have been very busy over the last few days. First, they dealt Bradley Beal, Isaiah Todd, and Jordan Goodwin to the Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a few second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.
Next, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards traded away Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics.
In the deal, Boston will receive Porzingis and two first-round picks from the Grizzlies(2023, 2024). The Wizards get Tyus Jones from Memphis, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and a second-round pick from Boston(35th overall); the Grizzlies get Marcus Smart from the Celtics.
The Wizards are not done dealing; according to Wojnarowski, Washington is finalizing a deal to send Paul to the Golden State Warriors for a package that includes Jordan Poole and future draft assets(2027 second-round pick, 2030 protected first-round pick).
For the Warriors, this deal feels like a salary dump. Last summer, they signed Poole to a four-year, $128 million contract extension. Poole averaged career-highs in points(20.4) and assists(4.5) in the regular season, but he struggled in the postseason.
The 24-year-old will have a more prominent role with Washington. Plus, things also seem to go south for Poole with the Warriors after Draymond Green punched him during training camp. In the end, the fourth-year guard needed a change of scenery.
Regarding the 38-year-old Paul, it should be interesting to see his role with the Warriors. Will he be a starter in Golden State, or will he come off the bench? Regardless, this will allow him to win an NBA title.
Of course, the Wizards continue to rebuild, which is not a bad thing. Washington has been treading water of the past few seasons and something had to change.
Last season, the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant before the trade deadline. After that deal, the Suns were considered by many to be the favorites to win an NBA title. However, Durant injured his ankle following the trade, which impacted Phoenix’s ability to gel before the playoffs.
Ultimately, the Suns would lose to the world-champion Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs. After the season, the Suns fired head coach Monty Williams and replaced him with Frank Vogel.
Now, they’ve added another enormous piece that could put them over the top.
According to multiple reports, the Wizards are sending Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a few second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps. More players could reportedly be added to this deal.
Paul could be on the move again as he reportedly could be dealt to the Clippers.
No matter what happens, at this point, the Suns could be the favorites in the West and win a championship. The Suns added Beal, and now, it’s championship or bust.
Phoenix has a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Beal. In addition, they have Deandre Ayton, but you wonder if he could be on the move to help fill out Phoenix’s roster and add depth.
Beal, 29, signed a five-year, $251 million last summer, which had a no-trade clause, so in essence, he had all the power. The Wizards could have reportedly got better deals elsewhere for Beal, but he wanted to go to Phoenix.
Last summer, the 11-year veteran, who spent his whole career in Washington, battled injuries and played 50 games in 2022-23. He averaged 23.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.
Regarding the Wizards, they are rebuilding, and that starts now.
Credit to the Suns. They got Beal and did not have to give up much to get him.
The Philadelphia 76ers are moving on to the Eastern Conference semifinals after defeating the Wizards 129-112 in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia wins the series 4-1.
The 76ers will begin their second-round series with the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Without Joel Embiid, who is day-to-day with a small tear in his right meniscus, Philadelphia had six players in double figures. Seth Curry led the way with a playoff career-high 30 points, Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, and rookie Tyrese Maxey added 13 points off the bench.
“It was what you would call an all-hands in, team win, for sure,” 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said after the game.
Philadelphia will continue to need all hands in if Embiid can’t play against the Hawks. He’s their best player, and makes this team go.
The 76ers have a team that can make the Finals, but that won’t be possible without a healthy Embiid.
Regarding the Wizards, heading into their April 7 game against the Magic, Washington was 17-32 and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Washington rallied with the second-best winning percentage in the league from April 7 to finish 17-6 in the final 23 games of the season.
This team overcame COVID, injuries, and everything else to make the playoffs, but there could be some changes in the offseason. Head coach Scott Brooks five-year contract has expired, and his future with the team is uncertain.
Russell Westbrook, who started his career with Brooks in OKC, would like him to return, while Bradley Beal said, “That’s out of my hands.”
Beal, 27, can become a free agent after next season(player option), so they have to convince him to stay, but as he said after the loss to Philadelphia, he is in control.
Ultimately, I’m in control,” Beal said. “I think that’s my biggest thing. People are going to report whatever they want, but I know where my mind is, and I know if it’s not coming from the horse’s mouth, then it’s going to be rumors. I expect them. S—, they’re starting now.”
Washington is stuck at this point. They are too good to get a high lottery pick but not good enough to contend. It’s almost like they have to determine what direction they want to go in. If Beal is committed to staying, they need to try to get players to win now. However, if Beal wants out, they need to move him, Westbrook(if possible), and try to rebuild.
What happens next for the Wizards should be very interesting, and whatever Beal wants could determine Washington’s future.
Philadelphia 76ers C Joel Embiid has been ruled out of Game 5 against the Washington Wizards in their first-round series after the team announced on Wednesday that Embiid has a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee.
The four-time All-Star had an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed the injury. The team listed Embiid as day-to-day, and the injury will be managed through therapy and a treatment program.
Embiid left Game 4 after the first quarter when he lost his balance and fell to the ground after getting his shot blocked by Robin Lopez.
Philadelphia fell to the Wizards 122-114 in Game 4 and have a 3-1 series lead. The 76ers are hoping to close out Washington in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
In the regular season, Embiid missed 21 games for the 76ers, and in those games, Philadelphia was 10-11.
The Washington Wizards kept their season alive on Monday night when they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their first-round series 122-114 at Capital One Arena.
Game 5 will be Wednesday night in Philadelphia as the 76ers lead the series 3-1.
The Wizards caught a little break on Monday night when 76ers star center Joel Embiid left the game after the first quarter due to knee soreness, which happened when Embiid lost his balance after getting his shot blocked by Robin Lopez. Embiid stayed in the game and completed the first quarter before leaving and heading back to the locker room. Embiid is scheduled to get an MRI on Tuesday.
No Embiid opened many things up for the Wizards, especially in the third quarter, where Washington outscored Philadelphia 32-19. Washington led by as many as 14 near the end of the frame and took a 92-80 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia would get back into the game, and took a lead with under three minutes to go. Washington would use the hack-a-Ben Simmons strategy down the stretch, which Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said was a possibility in pregame. The strategy worked. Simmons was 4-8 from the free-throw line in the fourth, and with Washington leading 115-112, Rui Hachimura hit a dagger three to put the game away with 45.2 seconds left.
“We played with more spunk, a little bit more attitude, and then some excitement,” Bradley Beal said after the game. “It just felt like we enjoyed being out there on the floor, we enjoyed playing defense, we enjoyed getting out and running in transition. These are [the things] that make us really good; this is what gave us success at the end of the year.”
Washington got its usual production from Beal, who led all scorers with 27 points, and of course, Westbrook had a triple-double with 19 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists, which was his second straight triple-double.
However, the role players stepped up for the Wizards, including Hachimura, who recorded his first career playoff double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds, Lopez had 16 points off the bench, and Davis Bertans added 15.
The Wizards had seven players in double figures.
At this point, this series could come down to the health of Embiid. Philadelphia is clearly a different team without the MVP finalist. However, Philly still has the advantage and still has enough talent without Embiid to get by the Wizards, but anything is possible.
Notes:
-Westbrook’s 21 rebounds marked a career postseason high and were the most by a Washington player since Elvin Hayes had 22 on 5/13/79 against San Antonio. Westbrook became just the fourth player since 2000 to record a triple-double with at least 20 rebounds in the playoffs (Tim Duncan-twice, Kevin Garnett, Nikola Jokic).
-Daniel Gafford, who started on Monday night for the first time in this series, finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and five blocks, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to have 5+ blocks in a game and the first to do so since Marcin Gortat on 4/19/17 vs. Atlanta.
–According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bertans, who left the game in the third quarter and did not return due to a calf injury, had an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed a grade 2 calf strain. He will need 4-6 weeks for recovery, according to Wojnarowski.
-Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 24 points(8/24 from field). Philadelphia had six players in double figures on Monday night.
