Wizards reach buyout with Marcus Smart, Blake Wesley | The Wizards Podcast | S2, E47

Wizards reach buyout with Marcus Smart, Blake Wesley | The Wizards Podcast | S2, E47

What is up and welcome back to another episode of the Wizards podcast. I’m your host Greg Finnberg and today’s episode we’re going to be diving in to the recent reporting that Marcus Smart has been bought out by the Washington Wizards. We’re also going to touch on the buyout that Blake Wesley reached with Washington and then give some final analysis on that last summer league game. A nice nine-point win for the underman Washington Wizards. Talk about Dylan Jones, Shamir Watkins and kind of give my parting thoughts on summer league. But I have to lead the show with the news breaking from Shams where he said Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart has reached a buyout agreement with the team uh and intends upon clearing waiverss to sign a 2-year 11 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Uh a couple notes on on this because obviously this kind of broke I was getting ready to tweet out the final score of the Wizards Knicks game and this kind of broke at that time. So again, I don’t know if that was like a planned thing to kind of have that right after summer league. I’m not sure, but that’s when Shams when Shams broke it. Um, essentially, this opens up a roster spot for the Wizards. And and I I might as well just tie in Blake Wesley. Now, Blake Wesley also, who was acquired from the W uh from the San Antonio Spurs in that Kelly Olen trade, has also reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards, according to Mike Scott of Hoops Hype. Uh, so the Wizards buy out Smart, they also buy out Blake Wesley. Both are announced pretty much at the exact same time right after summer league ends for Washington. Um, you know, if you want my my immediate reaction to it, if you’re Washington, you do this because it opens up number one a few roster spots because now, and I’ll touch on the expanded roster in a bit, but it opens up two roster spots. The Wizards were at 17 standard deals at the start of today. They are now down to 15, which is the maximum allowable amount on your um opening night roster, 15 standard contracts. There was a lot of of buzz around Wizards Twitter and the Wizards fan base on who exactly would be the odd men out, who Washington would trade or buy out or wave to get down to 15. They obviously decided to wave Rashawn Holmes. They brought Vukovich back on a two-way, so he didn’t take up a standard deal. They gave Tamir Watkins a two-way, so he didn’t take up a standard deal. And then obviously they have the moves today of of buying out Marcus Smart and Blake Wesley. So one of the main things that this move accomplishes for Washington is getting down to that 15man roster. In terms of of Smart, you know, 31 years old, the Wizards acquired him in February. Um, in part because they were a team that could absorb that salary. You know, Smart was getting paid around a little over 20 million last year and this year in 2526, he’s due 20.5 million of an expiring deal. So essentially, the Wizards were able to take back that contract for Memphis in exchange for Memphis’s 2025 first round pick, which was, you know, again, lottery protected. It works out really well because that becomes the 18th pick and the Wizards are able to move back and from that pick in that trade basically pick up Will Riley at 21, Jamir Watkins at 43 and two future seconds in 2031 and 2032 as you know an additional move um to that trade, but originally the the 18th pick was was for taking back Smart. So that’s how they got Smart. Um, obviously I’m I’m sure the Wizards would have wanted to get some assets for Marcus. Uh but at the end of the day, like it seems like they they couldn’t at at that number, especially, you know, Marcus Smart’s uh 2022 NBA defensive player of the year was an integral part in in a lot of those um Boston Celtics teams that one went to the finals a lot, went to the conference finals, couldn’t get over the hump with him on the roster, but certainly is a guy that if you’re a condending team, can still make an impact. But at that cap hit of 20 and a half million, you were going to be hardressed to find a team that could send you back an expiring deal, which would also continue Washington’s plan to keep the books open for 2026 and and moving and beyond. But, you know, it’s also hard to trade a guy like Smart at that number. You know, Memphis knew that they didn’t want him on their books at that that much money. They attached a first round pick to get him off the books for next season. the Wizards took him back and it would it was going to be pretty difficult to not only move smart but to also move him in exchange for an expiring deal. Um, so yes, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about why would the Wizards buy him out and not at least see if they could get something. Like I doubt they reach this buyout agreement without knowing for sure like, okay, his market isn’t good. We tried it. We’re not really going to get much. let’s buy him out and and open the roster spot so we can maybe keep a guy like Malachi Brandham or Dylan Jones or somebody on the back end of the roster that could be a piece here, you know, especially when they know that Smart won’t be for the future. So again, that’s another part of of Smart. I I thought he could have been a good mentor, especially at the guard position for for Bub, for AJ Johnson, for Trey Johnson defensively. You you know, I tweeted out the video. had like almost two million views last year of of Marcus Mark coaching up Jordan Pool in in the Wizards locker room. Shout out my guy Jacob Stark for sending me that video. And it’s just kind of it’s funny now because both of those guys are no longer on the team. And and if you asked me or told me that then I would have said yeah like sure maybe they moved Marcus Smart at some point. Um, but trading, you know, obviously not trading, but trading pool and and moving on from Smart. Um, it is, it’s kind of funny looking back on that video. Um, and seeing that they’re both, you know, no longer with with Washington. So, I thought he’d get a bit of good mentor, but they still have a lot of veterans. They have McCullum, they have Middleton, they they have a young roster and and it seems like they decided on, okay, he could be a good mentor, but we have some other guys that that we kind of like at the end of our roster, some younger guys that we want to give a a roster spot to and you know, if we can give uh if obviously the amount that that Marcus has given back in the buyout has not been made public. I did read somewhere that it depending on how much he’s getting for from the Lakers, maybe that’s how much he gave back. So, it’s a two-year 11 million deal. If that’s the same each year, maybe it’s like a $5.5 million deal. It’s entirely possible that Smart just said, “Hey, I’ll give you back five half million to buy me out and I’m just going to sign for that with the Lakers.” Like, maybe that is the case. I’m not the smartest when it comes to the cap. So, I’m sure that’ll be released officially at some point. I did read that somewhere and that would make sense. I feel like that’s how buyouts typically go. I’m so for the Wizards, like you save a little bit of money. It’s not the biggest amount, but you do if you want to take back some more contracts at the deadline from what he gave back in the buyout, and you also create another roster spot for for moving on for Marcus Smart. And now to to attack the the Blake Wesley aspect, obviously, like I mentioned, acquired in that Kelly Olen trade, not the most integral part of that. They obviously also got Malachi Brham and they and they got a a second round pick as well. So, they didn’t make the move to get Blake Wesley and and I figured that, you know, either one of Wesley and Brandham, maybe even both, were were possible wave candidates. It appears that they were going to maybe wave Wesley because that’s what Mike Scott Hoopsite tweeted originally and then he updated it saying the Wizards had bought Wesley out. They they agreed to a buyout so that Wesley can find his new team. And and another comment that I got frequently was, Greg, why why are the Wizards doing this now? Why wouldn’t they at least give Wesley training camp and then buy him out? Um I think maybe they saw the writing on the wall and maybe Wesley and his agent did too and they were like, “Hey, you know, let’s just find a buyout now. So instead of, you know, me wasting this time trying to find my way in training camp on on a team that I’m probably going to get cut from, let me, you know, give a little bit money back and a buyout and then maybe sign for that amount with a new team that I think I have a way better shot at at finding a role on or finding an active roster spot on or something like that. So, you know, I would assume that was a big reason why the sides agreed to a buyout, especially this early so that Wesley has, you know, pretty much the rest of the summer to find a new team. Uh, but at the end of the day, like that also creates another roster spot. I I I like Wesley coming out of of college at Notre Dame. I thought he could be a a decent piece and the the very end of of this roster if he made the team. Uh, but again, picking up picking one or of him or Brandon seemed like the possible solution and and it appears that I don’t know if the Wizards did. Maybe maybe Wesley was like, “Hey, I’d like a buyout.” I’m not sure the details. Uh but he gets bought out and and obviously Malachi Brandham is now the one guy the lone guy from that deal still on the team. He’s a standard deal expiring after this year. Uh but also is an intriguing piece. You know, first top 20 pick just a couple of years ago out of Ohio State. You know, could have very easily been a lottery pick. Had a decent rookie year with San Antonio, but has kind of fallen a little bit out of the rotation. Lost some minutes as the Spurs have gotten better and deeper. Uh but I think he can be a decent piece on this team. So, he’s still on the roster and you have Dylan Jones who was a possible cut candidate as well. Had a good summer league finale. I’ll talk about that later on in the show. But, but it seems like he might make the roster as well with the Wizards now at 15 standard deals. A lot can change. Uh, but certainly waving or buying out Wesley, buying out Smart opens up a lot more roster space for the Wizards, and I’m sure that was a big reason for it. Another thing I touched on in my article for Bolts Forever, if you want a more in-depth look at the the news or you just want to read about it, my articles are on Bolts Forever as always, um I I I noted that now it opens up some space at the guard position. You know, the guard position was a log jam for Washington for a while throughout throughout the offseason. Um and it appears like today they they’ve kind of created a little bit of clarity about what they are going to enter the season with at that position. uh as of now. Obviously, you have Bub Carrington as your your probable starting point guard. I’d be pretty surprised if he doesn’t start the year at point guard with CJ McCullum right there with him at the two guard in the back court. And then behind them, you got Trey Johnson, you got AJ Johnson, you got Malachi Brham, it appears now with with Smart gone, I would have if he stayed slotted him at least to the dead till the deadline as that backup point guard. With him gone, it opens up some minutes there. You got AJ Johnson who played a lot of point guard behind Bob Carrington and starting at point guard when Carrington was shut down for summer league. Uh he looked good at times as a scoring point guard. I didn’t necessarily see too much I enjoyed as a facilitator um as a you know true playmaking point guard, but I think he can get there. He certainly has the speed um and the skill uh and the potential to get there. Um so maybe he gets to to see some backup guard minutes. you know, before today, I would have said that’s probably not not the case at point guard and Brandham as well. You know, I think I view him more so as a combo guard, maybe a two, but I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe they experiment some with him at at the lead guard. So, it certainly opens up some more minutes there. That’s one of the story lines I thought was lesser um less talked about than others is the minutes now that it opens up at backup point guard. So maybe that’s Johnson’s role or AJ Johnson’s role because I obviously think if you’re going to have another guard uh coming off the bench, you’re going to start with Trey Johnson. I don’t think he starts right away in front of McCullum, but maybe as that sixth, seventh man coming off the bench as one of your guard options. And then I also think you can use AJ, you could use Malachi as some guys to give Bub a spell at that lead guard position. So certainly, you know, for for my AJ Johnson stance, and I know there’s a lot out there uh that were a little um a little concerned before today that there might not be any minutes for him. Obviously, these moves waving or buying out two guards opens the door for AJ to possibly assume those backup point guard duties. Um now on to the updated roster. Like I said at the beginning of the day, the Wizards had 17 standard deals. through a couple buyouts, they are now down to 15 standard NBA contracts along with three two-way contracts, which is the maximum for both of those types of deals on the roster. So, if they enter the season and opening night was was tonight, they had the roster would be would be, you know, allowable be okay by league standards. The the guards, like I mentioned, Bub Garington, TJ McCullum, your likely starting back court, followed by Trey Johnson, AJ Johnson, and Malachi Brham. Your wings, Chris Middleton, Bal Koulabali, Keshan George, Justin Champeni, Corey Kisspert, Will Riley, Cam Whitmore, and Dylan Jones. And then your forward/nersenters, Alex Sar, Marvin Bagley the third. Two-way guys, Vukovich, Jir Watkins, and Jaylen Martin. So, that’s the the rosters, 18 total, three two-ways, 15 standard. Um, certainly will be intriguing to see what Washington does with that depth in the the back court. Um, and also intriguing to see what what they do in in the front court. Obviously, I think Sar starting at center is pretty much a lock now. Um, considering really all they did there was put on the two-way and and sign Bagley as that backup. And then you look at, okay, the three and the four. I think that’s what intrigues me the most. Like I I would be surprised if they didn’t start Middleton at one of those positions, whether it’s the three or the four. like yes, he’s way older at 33 than some of your other guys and he’s not probably going to be here past this season, but at the same time, I think he’s the best of the of the bunch and I think he gives them the best chance to compete, which is what they’re trying to do. Maybe not necessarily win games and and make the playoffs, but they’re always going to put, at least at the beginning of the season, the best roster on the floor. And so, I think, you know, Middleton is clearly the best or if not one of the two best forwards they have on the team at the moment. So, him starting would make sense. Then it’s it’s it gets interesting between Bal Kulabali and Keshan George. Now Keshan didn’t shoot the ball as well as I’m sure he would have liked in summer league, but everything else that he did was great. So maybe it’s between those two as to who possibly starts. You obviously have Cam Whitmore in the fold now. I would be surprised if he started over one of them, but that’s a possibility. Champenny started a bunch last year. you still have Cory Kispert who I think will be your sixth man entering the year, but is another viable option at Wing if he’s not traded by that point. But that’s kind of the update on on Washington’s roster. They could enter the season now and be completely fine. This what I just said could very well be Washington’s opening night roster. And maybe there’s some other moves to be made like if they decide to to take away Jaylen Martin’s 2-way status and instead sign someone else. They’ve done that in the past. I doubt Watkins and Vauvich’s two-way status changes. You know, I just think those are two guys they’re pretty comfortable with on those two ways. Recently signed to those two ways as well versus Martin who signed, you know, during the season. So, uh, that’s kind of where the roster stands after those moves. Uh, again, if you missed it, Marcus Smart bought out, Blake Wesley bought out. The Wizards are now down to 15 standard deals. So, that’s kind of the first part of this episode. I did want to get some summer league talk in because the Wizards did close summer league with a 94 to 85 victory over the New York Knicks. They finished summer league 2 and three. A lot of people expected them to go 5-0, you know, run the table and all that type of stuff. But again, even myself, I I forgot how I don’t want to say like scared, but cautious maybe is the right word teams are now in summer league. And this year definitely was was one of the more cautious years for teams at summer league. I mean, you had top picks, not even just the top five or six picks, but like first rounders being shut down after two or three games. Um, and again, like it shouldn’t be that surprising. You know, I I had heard before summer league that the plan was for Sar, George, and Carrington to play two games and then most likely sit the final three. Um, I didn’t know if they would do that for Riley and Johnson. Obviously, they were held out for a different reason as the Wizards listed Johnson out with a hamstring injury. Um, Riley out with a thumb injury. I’m not sure how how serious those injuries were. Like I didn’t see either of them leave the game early with those. They they closed out that win against Brooklyn. They seemed fine. So maybe it’s just them being cautious with their first round picks. That’s completely understandable. Wizards fans also have a right to be annoyed and frustrated. Like, yeah, here’s your starting lineup. None of none of your first round picks are are there in that last game. Um except for Dylan Jones. You know, even AJ Johnson is sitting out today’s game against New York. Um, funny enough, like the Wizards had only entering, I guess with the roster, they had six players available. I’m not sure. Kadary Richmond was held out. I don’t know if that was due to injury. Um, same with Zeke Mayo. I didn’t see anything injury related on him, but they were both also held out. Um, as was obviously Sar Carrington and George plus Johnson and Riley. And then you also had um you also had AJ Johnson held out, which I don’t think is injury related. I think they just shut him down because they they like the back-to-back 20 point B points uh that that he scored in in the two games leading up to to the game against New York. So, they had six guys and they actually signed uh Ryan Smith. I think it’s maybe it’s rain. I think it’s Ryan Smith. Uh he’s a guard. He played at Louisville. He’s out of Australia. He the night before, so I’m recording this on Saturday. On Friday, he dropped 17 points for the Denver Nuggets’ summer league team. And then I guess they were saying on the broadcast he was working out and and the Wizards basically just texted him. We’re like, “Hey, like you want to suit up for us? We kind of need a seventh guy.” And he did. And I mean, he didn’t play particularly well, but you know, shout out to him for for on short notice. It was funny because he was number 50, I think, and everyone else had a name on their jersey. His was just number 50, no names. It was pretty funny to see just how short notice the whole thing was. But it also goes to show how many guys the Wizards were were sitting for for the game against New York and and and impressively enough they won the game. Um, a lot of guys played heavy minutes, rightfully so. The best of the bunch was Dylan Jones, who, you know, nine minutes the first game, only took two shots. Then he had a DMP in the second game, went two of two in the third game, but only again took two shots. Had a not the best shooting night in the fourth game, but looked a little bit better, was more aggressive. Then in that fifth game today against New York, he was kind of like, “Who else is here to score? AJ Johnson’s not here. None of the other guys are here. It’s kind of my time to shine.” And and he wasn’t a ball hog. I didn’t think I didn’t think he forced it too much. I mean, eight of 13 from the fields, pretty good splits. I believe he finished two of three from three. Hadn’t been shooting the three ball too well. So like to see that. Finished with a game high 25 points and 11 rebounds on eight of 13 from the field. Like again, a pretty pretty phenomenal showing. He was great attacking the rim. He’s a big guard, like a pretty sturdy, stocky build at the guard position. And he was just able to use that frame to shield off defenders, to finish through contact. I I really like the aggression that I saw um from him putting the ball on the deck, which is I think where he’s best, drawing fouls, and so I did like a lot of what I saw from Dylan Jones. He was kind of a bubble guy. I didn’t know even after today if he would, you know, make the team, but after they buy out Smart and Wesley, two guys that play the guard position, I think Jones is more so of a wing, but I do think maybe that does help him in terms of making the the 15man roster. Certainly the performance today uh couldn’t hurt. You know, obviously 25 on good shooting splits. Another guy that I liked was Jir Watkins and I I’ve liked what I saw from him ever since I watched a couple games at FSU mid-season when I was watching tape for him um leading up to the draft and you know even throughout summer league this is a guy and I should mention like he did have eight steals that one game against Philly which tied a summer league record. Appears they deducted one of his steals so he only has seven. I know, unfortunate, but still, 10 stocks, seven steals, three blocks in a game is so impressive. 10 or 11, it doesn’t matter. It’s double digits. That’s still incredible. Um I mean, he had another good game against uh against the the Knicks. He had 23 points, eight rebounds, five steals. That gave him 19 steals through five summer league games, which for my math people, I’ll give you a second to do the math. It’s 3.8 steals per game. Again, I did not do that mentally. I use a calculator cuz that’s hard math. But 3.8 steals per game for for your guy that you drafted at number 43 to be a defensive specialist. He had a couple blocks thrown in there too. Probably averaged around one or two per game. So like this is a guy that that you drafted to be a lockdown elite defender at some point in his career and he’s already showing signs of I’m gonna buy in. I’m gonna be really great here. My offense is good. it can get better and definitely more efficient, but at the same time, I’m here right now as a defender and I can carve out a role as that type of guy. So, again, that’s why I I was really really pleased with what I saw from Watkins because yes, the shooting could have been better. He shot eight of 18, four of 11 from three against the Knicks. But again, show that he’s a capable scorer and showed that he’s a willing three-point shooter. you know, 40, what was he like a little under 40% uh against the Knicks, probably around 30% for summer league, but he took a high volume of threes, wasn’t afraid to shoot it. It’s a guy that averaged 18 points per game his last season in college. So, again, I think the scoring will come around. I mean, again, I’ve compared him to Lou Dort for a while. Lou Dort was one of the worst shooters in the league. I mean that first season in OKC in the playoffs against Houston open from three and in in like I said this year in OKC’s run he was so big in that game five against Denver in the fourth quarter making all those threes in the game seven of the finals making some threes. So again the defense is all I really care about for Jir Watkins the offense and the shooting is a bonus at this stage. Um, and for him to kind of be this far along, even on that end, uh, in summer league, certainly an intriguing takeaway that I that I had. Um, I guess some thoughts on some other guys like Keshan Keshan Gilbert was was pretty good. Um, and in a lot of my takeaways, I just, you know, kind of called Gilbert fun. Like I I just I enjoy I enjoyed watching him play. I enjoyed watching him facilitate and play guard. He’s a smaller guard, but again, it’s a guy that averaged a couple steals per game in college. Clearly, you know, takes pride on the defensive end. Uh he I think he started out one of six against the Knicks, finished seven of 13 from the field, 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, was a plus eight on the game with a steal. That’s a pretty solid showing. Like I think maybe uh on he’s on exhibit 10, so I think he gets a bonus if he signs a two-way deal with or if he signs, sorry, just signs with the go- go versus with another team. Maybe it’s around like 75K. I’m not sure. My guy Matt Madno talked about in a previous episode, but I think this is a great go- go candidate. Like maybe he can carve out some sort of role as a two-way guy, end of the roster guy in the NBA. He’s a little undized, but he’s fun. Like he’s just always around the ball, always rebounding. You know, eight boards for a player of his size isn’t easy. Um good cord vision, like the speed he plays with, the the intensity he plays with on ball defensively. Um so that’s a guy that I did come away from summer league really intrigued about. Jonathan Pierre 18 points on four of eight from three, four assists, five boards. He was a plus 15. I thought he had a pretty solid game. Was up and down in summer league in terms of that jumper and the the efficiency. He was only six to 15 from the field, but again, I thought he was okay. Maybe another go- go candidate. Certainly, I don’t he was a two-way guy. Uh but but didn’t think he really he played too bad throughout summer league. I I mentioned Jones and Watkins and Gilbert. Ale the Gak started played 26 minutes was four of eight from the field plus 16. He was also I think a plus 19 the game before. So he didn’t really he didn’t really do much to like say oh my god like he popped but he he seemingly the last couple games in big minutes always had a good plus minus was always contributing to winning basketball. And so that’s a nice positive takeaway. I think he has potential there. There were certainly some defensive plays where I was kind of, you know, left wondering why did he jump on that pump fake or or certainly why was he in this position, but I I get the intrigue, I guess, with a prospect like him. Again, at seven boards, four assists as well. So, no, not not the craziest summer league for Gak, but but certainly didn’t think he represented himself poorly. I thought he was all right. Um, and then you you get to is it rain? Sorry if I’m butchering it. Um he was one of five from three plus six five points again. He was literally playing for another summer league team last night. So anything just showing up I respect from him. You know I don’t know if he gets a exhibit 10 deal with the Wizards or a training camp deal. I don’t know what he does but but uh you know I respect him and and hopefully he finds a role somewhere uh in the league whether it’s in the GLeague or in the NBA. Um the final guy on this is Liam Robbins. I just don’t I don’t like it. I I I don’t want to be too overly critical. I don’t like being too cruel or mean in my valuations. I mean, 14 minutes off the bench, 0 of four from the field, 0 of two from three, four boards was a minus eight. I just I don’t really I don’t see it. I I think he’s a possible stretch stretch five, but I don’t think he’s the most consistent shooter. He didn’t shoot that well from three in summer league. Defense isn’t great. He’s not the most agile mover. He’s not the quickest laterally. Tends to pick up some fouls down low. Isn’t the greatest defensive rebounder. So again, if you’re seven foot and you’re not great at any of those things and your shot isn’t necessarily making defenses pay, it’s just, you know, I don’t really know what’s what’s there. So, you know, he’s I would assume a go-go candidate. I think he’d be a good center option for them in the GLeague and maybe develop him there, get that shot more consistent, get him to be a little bit more agile on the defensive end, but that’s kind of my parting thoughts on some of the Wizards finished two and three. Didn’t get to see much of the the top guys, but in those two games, certainly intriguing. I mean, Trey Johnson in two games, 19 and a half points per game on 58% from the field, 44% from three. That’s pretty impressive. Uh a good second showing for for Will Riley. 16 points on five or sorry on six shots. Made three of his four three-point attempts. Obviously Sar, Bub, George all had their moments. Start with the eighth block game. That was pretty impressive. George 24 in the first game. Bub a much more efficient game with 17 in the second game. So I thought there were some really good high moments for for a lot of the the top guys. Certainly some lower moments too for them and that’ll happen. They’re all still 19 20 years old. But overall a solid summer league. Now that is behind the Wizards and finished two and three and they’re not competing for that summer league crown. Their summer league’s done and now I guess it kind of transitions into the rest of the off seasonason. You know, you’re going to have Sar who’s on the preliminary roster for Eurobasket for team France. I believe Baloki is also on that team. I think training camp starts July 24th and then competitions start in I think maybe late August into September I believe is when Eurob basket is. But that’s something to maybe look at for the next time. You’ll see some Wizards, you know, actually compete in real meaningful basketball and not just exhibition or practice. Uh other than that, like the schedule gets released sometime in mid August, I believe. So that’s something to look out for. It’s not as big of a schedule release as like the NFL because you’re gonna, you know, you’re going to play this team this amount of times. You’re going to play the West Coast teams one away and one home. I guess it’s just intriguing to see like, you know, maybe when Jordan P returns to DC. Uh, you know, maybe when Kyle Koosma is back, Denny Aia for the my Denny Abia fans, when he’s back, I’m sure people have that Lakers game, the Knicks game circled. Who the Wizards open with? I’m sure the Wizards are going to open with like the the hardest opponent. Like I last year, who was it? the defending champion Boston Celtics and they just got worked at home. That wasn’t really fair. Uh and and maybe maybe this year I they won’t put him against OKC. Like OKC will have their ring night against a meaningful opponent. Um but but who knows? Like maybe maybe Washington opens up on the road against you know a team like Philadelphia. I don’t know. But that that schedule at least is something to look out for as well. I think the roster is probably set for now. the moves. I don’t know or if if they’re done. Maybe you see some other trades of veterans. Uh but certainly that’s kind of going to close out this chapter of of the summer with the draft. The free agency with summerly was all kind of like bang bang bang on top of each other. I think now you can after summerly ease into the more dead period of the off season. I I view it as like there’s multiple dead periods. you know, from the time the season ends in April to whenever the draft lottery is for the Wizards at least, nothing really happens. Just the playoffs and the league moves on without him. And then it’s the draft season, from the end of the draft lottery to late June. And then you get into free agency, then summer league, and now you’re at another part where, you know, the next best thing you’re looking forward to is a schedule release. That’s kind of the the level that you’re at there. So again, that’s kind of what Wizards fans could look to. you know, training camp starts in September, media day, first Monday of October, and then you get to opening night in in in mid to late October. So, that’s going to wrap it up for this episode. In case you missed it, to recap, the Wizards buy out Marcus Smart, they buy out Blake Wesley. They open up two roster spots, allow Smart to join a contender. Wesley can find a new team. They clear some roster space. a little bit of cap space with whatever Smart and Wesley give back in those buyouts and are able to get down to those 15 standard deals are still at those three two-way spots and are kind of starting to mold together that roster that you’ll probably see as their their opening right night opening night roster barring any other trades and waves and and moves like that. But that’s going to do it for this episode. Hope you guys enjoyed. Again, the sports were great closing in on 500 subscribers. So, if you haven’t subscribed yet on YouTube, it’s the Wizards podcast there as well. Feel free to hit the subscribe button. But again, that’s going to do it for this episode. Thank you guys as always for listening. Go Whis.

The Washington Wizards bought out Marcus Smart and Blake Wesley. Greg breaks down the moves and how they affect Washington’s roster. Plus some Summer League analysis. Enjoy!
00:00 — 11:37: Wizards reach buyout with Smart, Wesley
11:37 — 14:42: Updated roster
14:42 — 19:02: Dillon Jones
19:02 — 21:30: Jamir Watkins
21:30 — 29:47: Summer League takeaways