The 2025 Offseason preview: Draft, Free agency and everything you need to know.

The 2025 Offseason preview: Draft, Free agency and everything you need to know.

What’s good everybody? Tonight we have the 2025 locked on Wizards off seasonason preview. We’re going to chop it up about the draft, free agency, and everything you need to know about the Washington Wizards 2025 off season. Come on, join us next on Locked on Wizards. You are Locked on Wizards, your daily Washington Wizards podcast, part of the Locked On Network. your team every day. What’s good everybody? It’s your boy Brennon Scott again aka B Scott and my guy Abdullah aka AB and we are both credentialed members of the NBA community and we’re your hosts here at Locked On Wizards. But uh before we get into tonight’s content, tonight’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can do can get $250 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. It’s that easy, y’all. So, like I said, tonight is the 2025 lockdown Wizards offseason preview. So, we’re going to go over the draft free agency and everything you need to know to follow your Washington Wizards this off seasonason, man. So, like I said, I know a lot of people are excited. Um, so we’re going to go over the draft real quick, AB. So, before I get your take on what your plan A plan A and plan B approach is going to the draft, um, I’m going to go over some information real quick, everybody. But before I do, let me say this. Let’s have a moment of silence for the Baltimore Orioles, who today lost to the Cincinnati Reds 24-2. So, let me go ahead and do a moment of silence for the Baltimore Orioles, man. So, poof, there it goes. So, like I said, 24 to2, man. So, we need that starting pitcher, man. Good lord. So, um before we get into your tick AB, I’m going go over some important information. Now, the NBA draft lottery is Monday, May 12th. So, it is right around the corner, y’all. So, NBA draft lottery will let us know exactly where we are going to pick in this upcoming draft. But which teams have the the best odds of landing number one overall pick? Well, there are three teams right now. the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards, and the Charlotte Hornets. They all have a 14% chance at getting the top pick. Now, when you look at the Washington Wizards, they have the best odds at what pick they’re going to pick is the fifth pick. They have the best odds to land the fifth pick. But like we’ve learned with the Wimyama sweep stakes, like we learned last year, AP, it’s the roll of the dice, is the is ping pong balls, man. They do everything for us. So, like I said, we very well could be in the hunt for the number one overall pick. But like I always say, definitely plan accordingly. All right, something else to look at real quick, everybody. Now looking at the fact that we did obtain the Memphis Grizzlies first round pick. Now it is subject to change right now as it stands. We have the 19th pick also. So it could change it. It should it definitely change as the playoffs go on, man. But like I said, we have a chance to grab a couple high impact rookies this off seasonason. So AB, looking at your draft approach, if you’re the GM, your draft approach, what is your plan A and what is your plan B? So, I think plan A is if you get the number one overall pick, you’re getting that guy from Duke. Then Cooper Flag, I think it’s been for a while. I think he was the best college basketball player before the season, best college player during the season, and was the best college basketball player in my opinion in March Madness. I get a Duke didn’t win at all, but at the end of the day, Cooper F has shown why his upside 18 years old. The sky’s is the limit for this guy. And again, if it’s a plan B, maybe you want to pair up that guy from Baltimore DQ, Derek Queen, with Alex Sar. Maybe again, maybe you want to trade back. And if you have that, hopefully I think right now it’s 19. I don’t know if you can get lower than that, but maybe pair that 19 overall pick with a player on this team and get go uh deeper in that top 10, top 15 range, maybe. I don’t know. But whatever this Wizards team does, I just love that they have so many options. This is something that we’ve lasted so far here, so long here as we’ve been fans here at DC. Look, I agree 100, man. Um, plan A. What would be my approach to this draft? My plan A. Um, Cooper Flag. I mean, I mean, Cooper Flag would be my plan A. I mean, you you for a team that has a heck of a young core here in DC, when you have the nice balance between the vets and the young guys, when you got guys like Jordan P, Sadique Bay, Cory Kisspert, uh gray area guys who could be on the trademark market, but also could be long-term pieces. You have a good situation here. Uh new GM. I mean, he a newest GM. Obviously, this is his first or his second season as a general manager, but like I said, he’s a first- time GM and he’s still learning, but you’ve seen great signs of progression from the front office, man. Not only him, but Michael Winger, Travis Schlink, the list goes on. Um, so that would be my easy flag. Now, Danny Wolf would be my who I grabbed with the other first round pick. Now, looking at that, Danny Wolf is going to he’s definitely going to climb some draft boards, man. Sevenfooter, who people are calling Mini Jokic. I’m telling you, man, a lot of teams could use a guy like that. Sevenfooter who could pass, who’s nimble in the feet, who can stretch the floor. Um, so that would be my plan A. Cooper Flag and Danny Wolf. if if if I could have the best case scenario as far as a draft, me personally, it would be Danny Wolf and Cooper Flat. Now, plan B. And the plan B is because if we slide to five or we slide to two or three, then you have to take your focus off of Cooper Flag. I’m going to ace belly. Um I do like Dylan Harper, man. But I am a big believer in this guards uh rotation you have with Jordan Pool, AJ Johnson, and Bub Carrington. And like I said, that could be subject to change because they’re going to be some deals for Jordan Pool. But and you could look at scenarios where Dylan Harper could be an answer, you know, especially if you there’s heavy interest in Jordan Pool in the offseason, man. But to me, Ace B, because we need more scoring, AB, we need another score. So, Ace Belly and I’m going go Austin New with the second first round pick, man, because I think we still need size at the power forward position. And Ace By, I mean, let me ask you real quick, AB. Um, look at his tangentials, man. 610. Um, would you try to see if he could be that answer of power forward or would you try to slide below to the two guard? That’s tough because again I think I haven’t seen a lot of offensive consistency from Bal for me to be able to put him in that two guard especially since Bub Carrington is emerging and I think he’s going to be really good as well. So I think Ace Bailey at his size 610 if he can be that guy that offensively can bring bring in 15 to 20 points in his rookie year. I think he can be and I also think in any other pos in any position he’ll exceed. But I see him more as a small forward just because I think again if you want to push him that power forward position maybe do it. But I think wherever he whatever position he’s in, he’s succeeding. But I rather see him in the three just because I don’t want B car to be pushed out um of the starting lineup. Yeah, I agree. I I think you have to invest in B car because he’s a star in making, you know, the his scoring prowess. I mean, especially once once he figures out how to drive the lane a lot, you know, efficiently, I think you will have a three-level score right in your hands, man. I mean, Bington has shown that he could be that microwave scoreer, whether it’s leading at point guard or whether it’s a two guard. But like I said, um, a lot of choices, man, because it’s easy right now to say you’re plan A, play B, plan B, but so many things can happen on draft night. And that’s the biggest thing I want to kind of convey to people is that things change. Trades will happen during the draft, man. So draft positions will change priority on a lot of your teams like the Houston Rockets where they’re going to have a lottery pick. You know, they’re going to trade that pick because they need a player who’s going to be in a mini impact and you’re not going to get out of the draft. I mean, you know, look at look at Reese Shepard and uh and Kmore. I mean, they were back and forth between the Rockets and the G- League affiliate, man. So, they need a guy to come in and so I think they’re going to heavily try to trade that pick and I would if I was a GM over there in Houston. Um, but like I said, you got to even your plan A or your plan B don’t always fall through, man. Um, so to me, plan C would be Dylan Harper because and I’ve been looking at a couple comments in in the comment section, man. And you’re right. You know, Jordan P, if you look at and like I said, I’m a big Jordan P fan. I, you know, I think he’s a heck of a player, man. Um, I think he’s a franchise type of player, man. I that’s just my opinion. Opinions do different, man. But I think that he’s proven that he could be that guy. But here’s the thing, you know, when his contract ends, but laws up for an extension. So, you got to I think more and more you wonder, you know, can they get something out of him? Cory Kiss, you know, maybe because look, they may have known that they’re trying to trade back into the lottery. It’s gonna it’s going to cost you Jordan Pooh and probably the 19th pick because you know last year we moved back into the lottery and it cost us Denny Yavia and you look at what Denny’s doing in Portland man. You know what I’m saying? You know I love Bub and I think that you know obviously my low bub um but here’s the thing that that was you know that was the type of move where you had to give a little to get a little and that was a weak draft AB. So um in this draft as a loaded draft you’re going to have to pay to play straight up. So AB um recruit be before we move on. Man, Dylan Harper, what kind of scenario needs to happen where he’s the the pick, where he’s the guy. Oh man, I think if the Wizards fall to number three, because I think Ace I think still Ace Bailey is a little high of him as a prospect, I think the Wizards would be right there to pick him at three. I don’t know if they will. Again, Ace Dylan Harper, the guard rotation that we have, I’m comfortable with it. I really am. I just don’t think it’s necessary. And again, I’m going back to the whole Bob Carrington development. I think Jordan Pool still is a year of development till he reaches that prime of his years in his NBA career. And Marcus Smart, I think again it’s just not necessary. You also got AJ Johnson, Kobe Jones, a lot of guys that can will learn. So maybe if you have so much faith in Dylan Harper that he can be that guy immediately, then maybe go after him. I just think right now you want to put more emphasis on the wing position and in the forward and center position because again, I think that’s where we need more strength. I agree. Um, so my question to you real quick is, would you be willing to pay Jordan Pool the max contract to stay in DC? I think so, man. I think this year coming up, I think he’s going to be an all-star. And again, I think this year he was playing at all level. We talked about it, but again, the wins win loss um just affected as it is what it is. And I think his with the younger guys with another year under their belt, I think JP and another offseason in DC, I think he’s definitely going to take his game to a whole another level. And I think he will be the all-star. It just all really all depends on if the wizards of their uh team performance if they get to that 25 to 30 win uh scenario. Yeah. I mean, you know what I think that when you look at players, you know, there’s certain players that are willing to take less because they know that taking on that huge contract is going to curtail any attempt by the team to try to bring pieces around him. Um you saw that with certain players who would took less. Um let’s see. Jokic is a guy who took less. I mean, there’s a list of guys who took less. Um, there’s also a list of guys that took a lot more and it became a detriment to the team. Bradley Pill’s one of those guys where his contract made it almost impossible to surround him with talent. So, Jordan Pool, I think, is a guy who would take less because, you know, he’s a guy who believes in what they’re trying to do. He knows, but again, he also knows his value, his age, the fact that he’s going to be an officer, I think is gonna be a determining factor is whether they they’re going to shop him heavy. Um, and I think they’re definitely going to try to find the best deal. But then you look at it, he’s he’s definitely a guy who could be here long term, who could definitely help this team to that next to, you know, to that ultimate goal, which is NBA championship. So, like I said, they got choices, man. I mean, choices because not very often do you have a scenario where it’s like, should we hold on to or trade a 26 year old guy who’s about to enter his prime like not many people most of the times like, oh, we got to keep this guy. So, but you know, Wong has made it known that he is still in a deconstruction phase. everybody. He is evaluating everybody because if you look at all the young guys, not every young player is going to be here when it’s all said and done. So, like I said, there’s a lot of decisions need to be made. And when you look at Denny Avi, you know, while I am a big fan of Jordan P, um you also see a scenario where they’re they’re going to shop him because teams are and that’s the thing, he brought his value up. He’s he played an all-star level this season, man. So, the value is going to go up. Teams are going to call for Jordan P. They’re going to call for Cory Kisser. And if you really want to move back into the lottery, you it’s going to cost you Cory Kissber andor Jordan Pool in a 19th pick. So that you know, like I said, you have to pay to play. So all right, we’re going to get into free agency cuz I don’t see us very active in free agency, but I think there are definitely options of free agency, especially when it comes to players already on the roster. So we’re going to explore that and then get into the trade market and then comments like we always do. But before we do, tonight’s episode is brought to you by Door Dash. Oh, NBA fans, you know what time it is. Come on now. Playoff season means big performances and even bigger rewards. Come on now. Door Dash is bringing the heat with a slam duck deal for pass Dash Pass members during the 2024 NBA playoffs. It’s called they swish, you score. Anytime a player draws 50 or more points in a playoff game, Dash Pass members score a free threepiece crispy tenders combo from Wingstop the very next day. If you love yourself some chicken, come on now. Three-piece for free. Come on, man. Just place an order for $20 or more and use the code Wingstop 50 at checkout and that combo’s yours. Crispy, delicious, and totally free. Offer valid noon to midnight the day after the game. So, like I said, guys, get something out of it. Um, Door Dash. I can’t recommend Door Dash enough uh enough. Like I said, if it’s Friday night, Saturday night, you know, you drink a little bit, smoke a little bit, chilling with the friends, chilling with the family, chilling with distinct other Door Dash, man. Don’t risk going out there and making a mistake, man. Seriously. Um, just getting home from work, don’t feel like cooking? Door Dash is your answer. So, here’s the play. Sign up for Dash Pass. It’ll unlock this and more exclusive deals all season long. When a player scores 50 in a playoff game, Dash Pass members can grab a free threepiece crispy tenders combo from Wingstop the next day with a $20 plus order and code Wingstop 50. That’s Dashpass. Your door to savings and more. More flavor and more ways to win. Terms apply. All right, AB, let’s get back into it, man. So, let’s take a look at free agency. And like I said, I don’t think we’re going to be very active in free agency. Very little act in my humble opinion. But let’s take a look at the team’s payroll right now because we do have some potential free agents on the roster and then we’re going to take a look at some free agents in the free agent market, man. Because there’s still some highlevel free agents, even though I don’t think we’re going to be very active AB. So, real quick, um, now obviously Malcolm Brogden is a free agent. He, um, now some comments he made at the ex exit interview. You know, he he didn’t really give too much kind of, you know, insight what’s going on. You know, he said that’s up to his agent, but if you look at the fact that they have Jordan P, AJ Johnson and um, Marcus Smart, Bob Carrington, it’s safe to say that Malcolm Brogen is definitely on his way to another team. And definitely, thank you for your service, man. You know, it’s not a talent thing. It was definitely an availability thing, but some other people look at now two players in particular. Now, number one, Rashan Holmes, uh, next year he has a contract of 13.2 million, but it is not guaranteed. It’s not fully guaranteed. So, with the emergence of Tristic, uh, do you think that it’s time to go ahead and let Rashawn Holmes walk? Even though we we do we definitely know that he brings the energy, AB, but with TV stepping up, is it time to let him walk? No, definitely. And again, we I respect Rashan Holmes when given any form of playing time, whether it was 25 minutes to 1 minute, he was went out there and he was contributing 110%. That’s what we love to see. At the end of the day, I think TV, the youth movement, he’s been playing amazing anytime he gets the opportunity to go out there on the court. So, it does suck. Ran Holmes, I appreciate what he’s done here in DC, but I just think with the emergence of TV just so soon from a second round that we haven’t seen in so long here in DC, I think you got to give the keys to Tristan, man. I agree, man. you know, Tristan Fusfish has stepped up. He has stepped up and to me, he is a future backup center and a guy who they could definitely put power forward in tall lineups, man. Um, so Rashad Holmes, kind of like Malcolm Brognum, you know, um, not so much with the injuries, but he he brought a lot to this team in my opinion. Malcolm Brogn brought, you know, um, leadership, the guy who’s definitely, you know, working with these young guys, but he just couldn’t stay healthy. And it’s unfortunate because he can play, but injuries have been Emma with him over the course of the last two, three seasons. So, like I said, wish him well. Wish him and the family well. Um, I hope you know they definitely get into a good situation where he can continue his basketball career. Uh, Rashan Holmes, he he was productive, you know, a guy who played with a chip on the shoulder, played with energy, a guy who played taller than he was, you know, he definitely really challenged taller guys in the paint and he was just he was a dog. But like I said, with the with the contract not guaranteed, I think it’s time to give Tristan Vousvich that a lot more responsibility in the front court, man. You know, definitely he’s the backup backup Alex Sar. Um, but with his size, I definitely think that, you know, you it’s time for to see what you really have in Tristan Rousfish, man. So, give him extended minutes. All right. So, the other guy we’re looking at, AB, um, let me pull him up real quick because I just had him. Lord Hammers, Anthony Gil. Now, Anthony Gil ain’t making the amount of same amount of money as Rashan Holmes. Uh, next year is 2.5 million, but it is not fully guaranteed. So AB, man, I know this is kind of a tougher decision because he’s been the longest senior wizard and he’s brought a lot of leadership, but I mean, are you willing to let him stick around? It’s only 2.5 million, man. We definitely need more leadership. Um, and you know, death is a good thing. Or are you willing to give up that give that spot to somebody else? I think just because he’s the longest tenure wizard here in DC, I think I think he’s earned it. And again, I think Caps has really much it really isn’t an issue. And I think also when he’s going out there, he does contribute with a a lot of energy as well. I think every team needs a guy like Anthony Gil where he’s the older guy where he doesn’t need to go out there and play to show he can from the bench can be a mentor and again it would suck not having in DC but I I prefer him if he would stay just because again the mentorship the mentorship also poor pair with Jordan Pool when it comes to being a mentor it’s such a a youth youth movement that we have here in DC it’s it’s vital to have a guy like Anthony Gil on your team. Yeah, I agree 100% man. I agree 100%. Uh, I mean 2.5. I mean, it’s weird for me to say that cuz I don’t make it anywhere close $2.5 million, but it’s not that much money in in the general scope of things when you look at NBA cap situations, man. Um, like I said, when you look at leadership, you often talk about Jordan P and and fair enough, you should because he’s emerged as a leader. You look at, you know, Chris Middleton, Marcus Smart, um, Malcolm Brogden, Rashad Holmes, the list goes on. But Anthony Gill has been that type of guy where I he’s impressed me more than anybody else because he’s been a leader since day one. You know, when this team had Bradley Bill, he was a leader. even though we, you know, it was supposed to be Bradley Bill, Kyle Krismo, whatever. But, um, he’s been consistent, a guy who’s always on the sideline on the knee. Always the first one of the first guys out greeting players in on timeouts, man. You know, to me, AG, you keep him around, you know, just because he’s just he’s one of those glue guys, man. He’s a culture guy. He’s a locker room guy, you know. He’s a guy who’s been involved with this with this situation from Tommy Shepard to now. So, I think I’m with you, man. You know, when you look at Rashan Holmes, $13 million is a lot of money for a guy who, you know, like I said, that production you can get from Tristan Fusion, you have a sevenfooter who can stretch the floor. And we know that Rashan Holmes is very limited. But with AG, you know, why not keep him around for another year, man, because he’s earned that, right? I mean, you know, he’s been a really good professional here in Nation’s cap. So, um, real quick, um, some free agents to look at and like I said, I don’t see us being very active at all, um, in free agency. Um, so we’re going to look at the top 10 free agents right now. And obviously, uh, one of them is somebody I’ve talked to talked about previously, man. But at this point, it’s probably unrealistic. Uh, LeBron James, number one, he’s probably going back to LA. Uh, Kyrie, he’s not coming to Washington. James Harden, he’s on another player option. He ain’t coming to DC. Miles Turner, we don’t need him. Uh, Julius Randle, don’t want him. Brennan Ingram, he just signed an extension, so I don’t know why he’s on here. Um, let’s see. But Jonathan Kaminga is somebody that we’ve talked about before AP and a guy who I really liked. But I has a ship sailed on Jonathan Kaminga, especially the fact that he is a restricted free agent and he’s going to command a max contract. Yeah, I think so. Again, I think the chips that we have here in DC, the young guys that we have, I prefer that and the amount of money that they’re getting paid compared to John Kamingo. Yes, a young prospect who has a lot of potential, but also you have to give him a lot of money. So, I just don’t want to ruin the the team morale bring in a guy like Kaminga who’s young and getting paid so much money compared that young guys are going to be here for a longer term. Yeah, but I can I was I will say this. I can see him being a draft target or not draft trade target if indeed we’re better than advertised. I can I will say and especially if we miss out on Cooper flag or guy at the four you know I can I can see that move because if you know look dogs made it known that if this team is better than advertised they’re they’re going to push forward but he you know from what he’s saying said and both of us agree that give them another year of development but if they if they’re better than advertised if they take that next step then you very well could see them making a move for a guy but here’s the thing I don’t see him getting max he’s a restricted free agent so you know they have the ability to max, you know, the max or match. Look, it’s been a long day, y’all. Um, he they can match any contract offer. So, you know, is there a team out there that’s going to, you know, kind of give him the max to kind of bring the asking price up on Golden State? Absolutely. Because look, that that’s all about the game of GM, man. There’s going to be a team that’s going to offer him max just to bring the price up. I mean, Auto Porter, you know, that was the one mistake that we made here in DC is that, you know, I believe it was the Brooklyn Nets where they they offered him more money and said, “Oh, we’re going to keep him.” And then it ended up being a really bad decision because nothing against all the Porter but he wasn’t that type of guy we needed to be the third hit you know you know you know you know the third guy on the big three man between you know John Wall and Bradley Bills. So um it should have been Klay Thompson in my opinion or went out there and got Paul George. So um like I said I don’t see us very active in free agency. I think we’re going to be dealing more so with our own guys because you know there’s still questions to be asked or and really question or or answered man. Um Chris Middleton, he still has a player option. So that’s one thing that’s going to hold things up until he enacts or declines that option. You know that that’s one roster spot right there. Um like we already covered with Shawn Holmes and Anthony Gil. So a lot of questions on this team, man, because um you know, like I said, Chris, you know, Chris Middleton has a player option. So we’ll we’ll wait and see if he enacts that Marcus Smart. Do they shop him and trade him? Um, so like I said, there’s a lot of lot of dominoes need to fall, but like I said, this roster we have now is not a it’s not a finished product, but we’re we’re we’re getting closer and closer to the players that we’re going to see down the stretch in the next five to 10. So, um, definitely let Will Dawkins cook, man. But like I said, um, it’s going to be an exciting draft process, guys. So, all right, everybody. We’re going to get into the trade market. We kind of covered a few names already, but there’s a few names we’re going to talk about that look, if the Wizards are willing to take on a bad contract for a first or or a couple first round picks, why not? So, we’re going to get into that and then comments. But before we do, tonight’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA playoffs are almost here and FanDuel’s giving new customers an incredible way to get in on action. Right now, when you join FanDuel and place your first $5 bet, you’ll get $250 in bonus bets if your bet wins. That’s it. That’s simple. That’s all. Look, uh I say all the time, FanDuel is my go-to. I make a lot of money with FanDuel, man. a lot of money. Uh you know, obviously the NBA playoffs is a good opportunity to make some cash. Um you got the MLB. Just don’t bet on Orioles pitching. Um but you definitely have a lot of opportunities to make money with FanDuel, man. I mean, you can bet on anything from three-pointers to steals to assist, home runs, RBI’s to stolen bases to strikeouts to ER, man. It’s easy money. Please don’t miss out on action. Head to fando.com and claim your $250 in bonus bets today. Come on now. Rock with me, FanDuel. All right, AB, let’s get back to this, man. So, the trade market and like I said, just like free agency, I don’t see us very active in the trade market, but there are some guys that could potentially be deemed out, you know, bad contracts. Let me I’m just going to throw this out there. AB, would you be willing to trade for Zion Williamson if it came with a couple picks? Even though I don’t see them off in that, man, because like I said, they have to move on at some point. But would you be willing to take on Zion if it came with draft compensation? Oh, I mean, Zion Williamson, again, I was a big fan of him coming out of Duke and the way it’s just been so far in his NBA career. It just sucks. As much as I want to blame it all in organization does as as a player himself, as a grown man now, you got to take some accountability. And I still think he has the potential to be that all-star type of player. It’s just on off the court, you got to be able to be disciplined with with his die and just in general like issues on social media with several different types of people that you’re working with every day. So, I wouldn’t mind it. I think he as a player is definitely very very good just when he he has to be available. Again, we go back to the whole thing about best ability is availability. And if you’re getting draft compensation as well, I think that’s sweet. But it just all goes down to if you take on Zion, it’s going to alter this team chemistry in a whole different way. like do you want her if you really love these guys here bringing in a guy Zan Williamson who so much he’s done his NBA career don’t you think it’s going to change the locker room in a way I’m not saying it will be in a bad way but there will be some some people shaking their heads and saying why would you trade for a guy like him if you you like us young guys here if that makes sense yeah I mean it makes sense man but I’ll say this if I even consider taking on that contract I need draft conversation I mean I’m like no I mean yes we all know what it is Zion if he could eat right, would be a top five player in this league, but it’s too much that comes along with him, man. Um, I would need draft conversation and like I said, you know, you we always talk about culture. Culture would take a hit. I mean, I’m going to be a 100, man. It’s no disrespect. Um, but I’m not willing to take on a star who can’t even manage his own life. I’m just being real. I’m not going to get into specifics, man, because I don’t get on here about players anything personally. It is all about on the court production. But anybody that knows anything knows what I’m talking about. But I’ll say this, you know, I shouldn’t as a star player in this league, I shouldn’t have to force you to stay in shape. I shouldn’t have to force you to get a dietitian. I have to I shouldn’t have had to force you to go get a chef. So, you know, you’re making millions of dollars. You should be able to treat your body like I mean, look, love or hate LeBron James. I get it. Every era has their own opinion on LeBron James, but the brother spends a million dollars on his body every year. I mean, you his body is what is the money maker. Zion Williamson, the amount of athleticism, the amount of potential he has. Come on, man. And I get it, man. Look, New Orleans, the food is on point, but look, I ain’t no superstar basketball player either, man. So, I mean, I’m just saying like, you know, I can understand the diet part, but then let’s be real, man. You’re a grown man. So, you know, he’s a one name amongst other names that could be, you know, possibly uh available, man. But it would have to come with draft compensation. Even then, I’m thinking about the culture. I’m thinking about the locker room, man. Because his name is not synonymous with leadership. His name’s not not synonymous with, you know, being a voice in the locker room. And like I said, his personal stuff, and I’m not gonna get into it, but his personal stuff is just stuff I don’t want any anything around it. And like I said, it’s not to say that we don’t have players that have stuff going on off the court. I mean, you know, everybody’s got a life, man. You know, we all have lives, man. Some people go through bad situations, man. Whether it’s the going through a, you know, whatever. But honest, to me, it’s highly publicized. And it’s just I don’t want anything. I don’t I don’t want that zoo. I don’t I don’t want that circus. I just don’t I don’t because it comes with too much baggage. Um even if it comes with a first round pick that is still I mean you’re you’re really going to take away time and precious minutes from development for a guy who I mean I’ll say this if they decided to roll with that. I don’t see them doing that man because like I said this is not that’s not a deal that I could potentially see Will Dawkins making. But I’ll say this if they even consider that deal there needs to be agreements in this contract. You need to hire a dietitian. You need to hire a chef. You need to have weigh-ins weekly. You need to be at the desired weight. You need to start putting time into your who you are as a player for me to even consider that dude, you know, to consider that move. Like I said, it’s nothing against Zion, man. Like said, I don’t ever touch anything off the court. I didn’t get into specifics, even though most people know what I’m talking about. Um, but in the same token, man, I I don’t really want that around, man. It’s a circus. And, you know, if you look at the amount of talent that New Orleans has, there’s no reason why there are a freaking lottery team. I mean, look at their squad. Obviously the Jonte Murray with his injury is unfortunate, but when you have a team with Dejonte Murray, CJ Mcome at one point, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, the list goes on. Why are you a lottery team? And why is this guy making the amount of money he does? And why is the the the New Orleans Pelicans not doing their job, being an organization, acting like a business, and requiring some kind of like adult decisions from Zion? Like, how long are you gonna sit back and let him just eat himself out of the NBA? Like, and it’s a cycles. It’s like Ben Simmons every year. Oh, he loses weight. Oh, he he may have a career season. Oh, he gained it all back in three weeks. Oh, he’s back to being Zion. I mean, it’s like at what point do you pull the plug and that’s just me personally, man. It’s like, you know, when you look at bad contracts, you look at Zion, man. But to me, it comes with too much. Comes with too much because at the end of the day, you shouldn’t have to force a grown man to stay in shape. If we can expect our our men and women in uniform to stay in shape, then we can expect a basketball player to stay in shape, man. So that’s to me that’s a red flag for he doesn’t take what he does for a living series. And I want that far away from this team. So you know, as far as the trade market, I don’t see any options right now. I see the the one option if we’re better than advertised, maybe Jonathan Kaminga could be an option. But even then, you know, that’s a lot of money tied up. Jonathan Kaminga, Jordan Pool, that’s two big contracts before you even talk about signing a young player. And we, you know, this slides into the question tonight, AB, do you guys see Tedian as being willing to go into the luxury tax? Because I don’t and that’s a big factor to look at here, man, because we have a lot of young talent and you can’t pay everybody. So, that is that is a question tonight, guys. Do you see Tianis being, you know, being, you know, wanting to go into the luxury tax to retain a lot of this young talent? That is the question tonight. So, uh, we’re going to get into the comments, but before we do, AB, uh, anything else you want to cover or go go over, man? Yeah, I know. Again, going back to you did a good job recapping Zong Wimp’s career. Big fan of him. I was huge coming out of Duke, man. I mean, he was electric. I just at the end of the day, it just goes down to if you if you don’t respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you, you know? So, that’s that’s something I always live by. And I just like I’m still rooting for him just because I think he’s just an amazing player with so much potential, but again, the only person that’s holding him back is himself. Yeah. Yeah, I have a problem with that because that to me is a superstar. You lead by example. Love to hate LeBron James. He leads by example. He puts time and money into his body. I mean, Jordan Buu, a guy who spent the previous offseason getting better. Could have very easily went to Italy or went went on vacation and there’s one guy who went on vacation and I believe the last game he played, he didn’t score like anything. Like his whole satine was zero. So, I’m just saying, hey, the offseasons count, man. Look, I’m just saying. I’m I ain’t throwing no names out there. I’m just saying. All right, so we’re gonna get into the comments, man. But but before I don’t know how you snuck that in, B. That was funny, man. Oh, man. You know, hey, look, it is what it is, right? I’m just saying. Um, and I wish him well, you know, like I said, I wish him well, man. But like I said, it’s you don’t want to burn bridges on the way out the door, man. That is sets you, you know, sets himself up for a lot of flack, man. So, let’s get in the comments. AP, we got a lot of them tonight. Definitely appreciate everybody rocking with your boys. Knight lock the law, as he always does, leads it off. He says, “All I need to know is who we’re drafting, developing, and dominating the next decade with.” All right, fair enough, man. Fair enough. Uh, Jimmy outside. Jimmy, go outside. My bad. Uh, it says, “Dawkins going to add some ballers.” I’m excited. Oh, man. Look, you guys saw with the thumbnail of the video. Look, the main course is coming, baby. Will Dawkins about to do his thing. So, let’s see, guys. Uh, uh, see, uh, Law doing his thing. Uh, let’s see. Uh, Nomatic Bryant says, “I’m putting my money on the Wizards winning a playoff game before the Orioles.” Oh, man. And I know you’re not big into baseball, AB, man, but I mean, who wins a playoff game first, the O’s or the or the Wizards, man, because today didn’t look too good. Yeah. I mean, after today, you said 24-2. I mean, I’m not a big baseball guy, but that’s a that’s a pretty big loss. But I think right now with the Wizards, just because again, I don’t see us going making the playoffs this year, next year coming up. I think the year after definitely potentially get that playing seed or even maybe that no I say playing I can’t do higher than that. So again the Orioles I mean you’re a big Orio guy so you can tell me how where they are right now but I I just think the Wizards not they’re not there just yet. Yeah I think the O’s do man. We just need an ace pitcher man. I think any O’s fans in and I’m an O’s and NAS fan. My wife’s more of an O’s fan. Um I grew up with an O’s fan but I’m more of a Naz fan that you guys know the story but um the O’s just need a ace. I mean, the pitching is just looking bad. I mean, good lord. 24 to2, a I mean, you got football scores going on with the baseball. That’s a red flag. Uh, lock the laws says the Orioles got cheap on starting pitching again. Yeah, I don’t want to get too deep in the Orioles, man, because obviously this is a Wizards podcast, man. But yeah, they needed I mean, you a had an opportunity to get Garrett Garrett Crochet and we got who? Charlie Morton. You could have got Dylan CE. We could have resigned Corbin Burns, even though I think Corbin Burns, he’s from Arizona, said that was a big factor. So, it is what it is. Back to basketball. Uh, Josh Joshua Cotton, how you doing? is to be honest I love P but I think it would be best to trade him while his value is the highest. I just don’t believe he’ll be here when we become a playoff team. Like I said I look as a player personal level I like Jordan P. I think he’s a good guy but um you got to I mean the business of the NBA is that they’re going to shop him because you have to as at some point you have to prioritize signing your young guys man. And and while I do see JP 13 as a guy who could definitely lead this team into the future, man, look, you have to pay to play when it comes to Jordan Pool. And when his contract is up or at some point when you want to negotiate resigning him to an extension, it’s going to cost. You got to pay the cost to beat the balls, baby. I’m trying to tell you. And you retain him, it’s going to cost. And how much of the cap do you really want to hold up before you even get into your first young guy to resign? Because Bal I don’t really want to topple out of the cap before you even talk to Bal about any extension. And of course these young guys have to earn it and nothing’s guaranteed. I mean Bal’s got to earn it. You know we need to see something. So you definitely expect these young guys to earn it. But this the thing is you don’t want to tie up the salary cap before you even consider, you know, signing some of your young guys for the future. So I’m with you on that. Um hey B, do you agree disagree? What what you thinking man? Yeah. You know, again, pool I think the way that he’s gotten better, the way his tenure started, Washington out, crazy 180 and it’s not talked about enough obviously cuz a lot of people wanted him out in DC, but if the if the value is there and you think he you’re not going to get more than I think at one point we talked about two first round picks for Jordan Pool, maybe consider, but then again, I just feel like he can be our point guard that can lead this team to championship here in DC. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Um Jimmy go outside says Bal and Sar have to beef up. Absolutely. Bel is our baby Yiannis. remember all the baby Shaq comps back in the day? Oh, AB, I’m let you have this one, man. Um, would you do you think that Jonas Tukmpo would be a good comparison or would it be more the lines of OG and Anobi? I think defensive I think I think all three of those OG and Nibo defensively are great. Offensively, I just think Bal I go back to OG and Anobi. I just feel like if he can develop that jump shot and maybe like the mechanics of we talked about like let’s make sure it’s not that flat. I think that’s more OG. I think Giannis because there was a difference between Giannis and Bil Kubali in terms of their career when they were this young Giannis was trying to take that team be that number one option and we’ll walk and when I think here in Washington Bal there’s not that much pressure of him being the number one because again you have guy like Jordan pool Bob Carrington is emerging Alex Sar is emerging so I think it’s two different scenarios and I think Bal is in a way more comfortable situation compared to Giannis when he was that age. Oh yeah I agree. I agree man. Uh you know I don’t really want to get in comparing play people. I just want Bal to be Bal. I want him to be the best version of himself, man. Um, Sheldon T says, “With this squad, I’d rather have Queen than Bailey.” That kind of e that kind of echoes what you’re saying, AB. I think that Queen could work beside Alex R. Um, and a lot of people are debating whether Ace Bailey could be the four. I’m with you, AB. I think he’s more of a wingman. I think that if you add Ace Bailey, then you have that you have to move Bal and you can’t bench Bal. You have to start him. Um, because you can’t start him two years and then bench the guy because that’s going to destroy his confidence and and I think he’s a starter. Um, but is he kind of on along the lines of a Devin Vassel where he could be that 68 two guard? I don’t know. He’s got to add that three-point shot. He’s got to add that offense, man, before we even consider that. And so, I think that may be one big sign what they may not go the direction that he’s Bailey because you got to got to got to push Bal and he’s not offensively ready for that. But like I said, a lot of options, man. I think that was going to be another reason why I don’t want to put so much emphasis on the guard position, more position on the forward and center position because again, we’ve been getting pled in the paint these last couple years here in DC. So, I think it’s just something we need to get better at just being more uh dominant in the paint area. Yeah, I agree. I I agree 100, man. So, a lot of people in in chat, I think, agreed that they don’t see Ted doing it, but I think Ted needs to consider it, especially with the Capitals going the direction they are. And Ov be around forever, man. He’s already broke the record. So, um, from a business standpoint, having two rebuilding teams in the same building, it’s hard to do, man. You ain’t going to make much money, man. I’m just tell Especially in a market like DC where you have so many people not from here, man. Um, so this is going to be I hate to miss out on anybody’s comments, man. So, I promise you guys, we’re going to try to do a mailbag episode this uh this uh this week where we’re just going to do just reading off of the the comment section. So, u we’re definitely going to do a live um Q&A session this week, guys. And we’re trying to get back to doing the Friday night Q&A’s, man. So, we’re going to get back to doing that starting every Friday night, man. So, this going to be the last one of the night, guys. SPH2345 says, “If you attach Kiss and our second first round pick, how much higher of a pick do you think we can get?” I mean, I think from you can probably get to 10 to 15, but you’re not going to get in the top 10. You’re just not, man. And it’s nothing against Kiss or because this is a loaded draft. You know, if it cost us Denny, it’s going to cost us a lot more to move up in this draft, man. It’s going to cause you probably both pool and Ginsburg and a pick. Let’s be real because the team is going to be very hesitant to move on from draft picks in a loaded draft. So, all right everybody, we’re going to go ahead and call it a night. Again, appreciate that. I hope everybody had a bless and safe weekend. Uh this week coming up, we’re going to finish out the grades. So, we still got, you know, about six to eight players uh we need to grade and then we’re going to get into the future. So, like I said, a lot of content coming your way. So, definitely rock with me and my guy AB. So, AB, before we roll, man, anything else you want to cover before we call it a night? Yep, man. Again, can’t wait. Shout out to Memphis. We’re getting that first round pick. We love it. More draft picks to come. Hopefully with Under World Dawkins and company. NFL draft is coming up, too. So, this week’s going to be so exciting, man. This is a great time to be a sports fan, man. Absolutely. And like I said, I saw in the comment section, um I know everybody’s uh is in a practicing practicing Christian, but for all you Christians out there, it was Easter, so I hope everybody had a safe Easter. Uh so, like I said, guys, uh we’re going to go ahead and call it a night. Me and AB got a lot of content coming your way, man. So, definitely tune in here at Lock and Wizard. We got grades for the next couple days, so definitely tune in. All right, everybody. We’ll see you guys tomorrow night. Hail to the wizards and peace.

BScott and AB break down the Wizards’ offseason.

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