Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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July 1

Washington Times

"Wednesday signals the beginning of the NBA's free agency period, and although teams are free to begin courting and negotiating with players, don't expect the Washington Wizards to spring into action. Instead, the Wizards are expected to wait, then comb the leftovers to add the final pieces to their roster. "We're going to start making calls, and we'll monitor the situation, but the teams like Detroit, Oklahoma City, Memphis and Portland - the teams with a lot of [salary] cap room - will be doing the big spending in free agency," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said Tuesday. "The whole situation will shake itself out, and we'll see what presents itself and carefully go from there. I ..."

Nats finally bust it loose

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June 26

Washington Examiner

"Fans of the bullpen-challenged Washington Nationals have learned a hard lesson this season - no lead is safe. So as the Nats built a big advantage against the Boston Red Sox Thursday night, joy was tempered by memories of good games gone bad. But in the seventh inning, when Willie Harris blasted a two-run home run high in the rightfield stands, giving Washington an eight-run bulge, there was no more trepidation. As Harris circled the bases, the Nats piped Chuck Brown's "Bustin Loose" over the loudspeaker. Whether it was hip-hop music or clutch hitting, the Nationals timing was uncharacteristically on-point Thursday night in a 9-3 victory before a sellout crowd of 41,985, which established ..."

Wiz introduce Miller, Foye

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June 26

Washington Examiner

"The first round of the 2009 NBA draft at Madison Square Garden in New York City may have been all about youth, potential, and the prospect for future results. But this was the Verizon Center in Washington. Shortly before watching 18-year-old Ricky Rubio go to the Minnesota Timberwolves with what had been their fifth overall pick, the Wizards introduced Mike Miller and Randy Foye, two players with a combined dozen years in the league and symbols of the franchise's determination to more than simply rebound from a 19-63 season and contend in the Eastern Conference in 2009-10. "They brought in two guys and sold a fifth pick, which could've been a really talented player," said Miller. "It could ..."

Wizards Choose Sooner Over Later

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June 26

Washington Post

"Mike Miller and Randy Foye, the newest members of the Washington Wizards, made their debut yesterday in the bowels of Verizon Center, squeezed between the excitement of two blockbuster trades in the Eastern Conference made earlier in the day and under the shadow of the NBA draft. Their arrival may have gone unnoticed outside the District, but the Wizards hope that Miller and Foye will help make the team a topic of discussion in April, May and possibly June. The Wizards traded out of the first round, sending the No. 5 overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as part of a package that yielded two veteran players -- Miller in his prime, and Foye on the rise -- that can help a team built to ..."

Wizards blow it again

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June 25

Washington Examiner

columnist Rick Snider

"The Washington Wizards blew the draft and they didn't even have to pick. Trading the fifth overall selection in Thursday's NBA draft plus a handful of reserves for two fair players doesn't help this team. It gets rid of worthless backups and saves $3 million, but do you really think owner Abe Pollin cares about money nowadays? The Wiz mostly need Gilbert Arenas to remain healthy for the first time in three years to make the playoffs. Indeed, keeping the top four players intact will advance Washington into the postseason. However, the Wiz were hoping their worst season ever would result in an impact draft pick. Instead, the draft lottery left them with the fifth choice in supposedly a ..."

A Steal May Just Be the Start

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June 25

Washington Times

columnist Tom Knott

"Here I thought Kevin McHale no longer was with the Timberwolves. Or perhaps David Kahn was channeling McHale's ghost. Is the fifth pick really that appealing? Or is Kahn merely a sucker for a sweet-sounding sonnet as penned by the Poet? This qualifies as a heist, although not in the Caron Butler-Kwame Brown spirit [-] at least not yet. Butler was not a two-time All-Star at the time of the trade. Randy Foye is not done developing, no more than Butler was. Ernie Grunfeld stands guilty of picking on a cripple. Or he came into some incriminating information or pictures that prompted Kahn to take the fifth pick, an accounting error, a 6-footer trapped in the body of a 7-footer and a pair of ..."

Source: Wizards considering dealing other pick

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June 25

Washington Times

"After using a trade Tuesday to upgrade their perimeter attack, the Washington Wizards enter Thursday's draft contemplating further deals that would strengthen the frontcourt. According to a league source, the Wizards are considering parting with the 32nd overall pick - possibly in a package with aging point guard Mike James, whose contract expires after next season - in an effort to acquire a veteran big man who would add depth to the frontcourt. If they are unable to land a veteran as part of a package deal, the Wizards still might trade the 32nd pick for future considerations. The Wizards traded the No. 5 pick in the draft plus veterans Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov ..."

Deal heats up race for Ricky Rubio

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June 24

The Oklahoman

"Just when it seemed the Thunder had become serious about going all in for Ricky Rubio on Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City appeared to lose ground in the race for the Spanish point guard sensation by Tuesday evening. The Washington Wizards have reportedly agreed to trade the fifth overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft and three players to Minnesota in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. It's a deal that would give Minnesota four first-round picks - Nos. 5, 6, 18 and 28 - or enough to entice Memphis at No. 2 to trade down and allow the Wolves toRubio.The deal, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports, came just hours after The Oklahoman confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report that the Thunder ..."

Wizards make a deal

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June 24

Washington Examiner

"Washington packages No. 5 pick, three others in trade with T-Wolves The Washington Wizards appear set to observe but not participate in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft after making a trade that will make them a contender in the Eastern Conference if they stay healthy. In the first substantial move involving a lottery pick prior to Thursday's draft, the Wizards are expected announce a deal Wednesday to send their No. 5 pick along with Etan Thomas, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Darius Songaila to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller, according to a league source. Foye (16.3 points, 4.3 assists per game last season) and Miller (9.9 ppg, 4.5 apg, 6.6 rebounds ..."

Wizards snag Foye, Miller

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June 24

Washington Times

"The Washington Wizards agreed in principle Tuesday night to send the No. 5 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, center Etan Thomas and forwards Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Randy Foye and veteran swingman Mike Miller, multiple league sources told The Washington Times. The deal is expected to be finalized Wednesday morning after Thomas, who is due a $1.2 million trade bonus, signs an agreement that he won't opt out of his contract - which runs through the 2009-10 season - on July 1 and pursue free agency. Foye, a three-year veteran, started 61 games last season and averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists, while Miller has averaged 13.9 points, 5.0 ..."

Cleanup Starts By Throwing Out The Leftovers

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June 24

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"Seeing how the trade is, oh, three minutes old and not yet consummated, let's take stock of what Ernie "Small Ball" Grunfeld hath wrought anyway: Washington's pro basketball team gets two scoring swingmen who like to have the ball in their hands, and gives up a onetime starting center, a banging veteran forward, a young 7-footer and the fifth pick in tomorrow's NBA draft. Hey, at least Brendan Haywood will never have to worry about his minutes in the pivot being cut again. In an apparent ongoing attempt to run, gun and mirror the pre-Shaq Suns, Grunfeld, the Wizards' president, dealt away that depressing No. 5 selection and three contracts to Minnesota for Mike Miller, Mr. Outside, and ..."

Wizards Make Their Move

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June 24

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards' infatuation with Minnesota continues. The Wizards agreed in principle last night to a deal that would send the No. 5 overall pick, Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward Mike Miller and guard Randy Foye, two league sources said. The Wizards had been open to dealing the pick from the moment they slipped to the fifth pick in the draft lottery. Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards' president of basketball operations, was considering several offers and had spoken with more than a dozen teams, but he jumped on the offer from Minnesota two days before tomorrow's NBA draft. The sources spoke on the condition of ..."

Wizards Rebuffing Inquiries for Butler

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June 23

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards hold the fifth pick in Thursday's NBA draft and President Ernie Grunfeld has spoken openly about his willingness to move the selection, opening the door for numerous inquiries and trade discussions in the past few weeks. About half of the teams in the league have spoken with the Wizards, according to a league source, and most of those discussions have revolved around the draft choice. Some teams, though, have also asked about the availability of the Wizards' top players, with most focusing on Caron Butler. Multiple sources have confirmed that the Wizards engaged in conversations with the Phoenix Suns about acquiring all-star forward Amare Stoudemire last month, but ..."

Healthy Wizards hold enviable spot in draft

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June 22

Washington Times

"In an NBA Draft that - like many before it - features one perceived franchise savior and only a handful of elite prospects followed by many question marks, the forecast for Thursday is anything but predictable, and many trades are expected. In 2006, there were 15 draft-day trades, and this year's draft is expected to rival or surpass that. Some teams low in the draft - or without a first-round pick - badly want to move up to upgrade their rosters. Some teams higher in the draft would prefer to move down to get more picks and bolster their rebuilding projects. In the middle of it all is the Washington Wizards, who hold the fifth pick but are in one of the more favorable positions in the ..."

The Missing Holiday, Rubio Slipping?

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June 22

Washington Post

columnist Michael Lee

"It's understandable why Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet and Ricky Rubio haven't visited Washington for a pre-draft workout, since they are considered the three best prospects in the draft. But I'm sure some of you may have noticed that there another is potential top 10 pick in Thursday's draft whose name has not been mentioned much in these parts -- UCLA combo guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday has been slated to possibly go as high as No. 4 to Sacramento. ESPN's Chad Ford and Draftexpress.com have Holiday rated as third- and the fifth-best point guard prospect in the draft, respectively, after averaging 8.5 points and 3.7 assists last year at UCLA. The Timberwolves, Knicks, Raptors, Bucks and ..."

Seven for Five

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June 20

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards will have another workout on Monday, but they have concluded workouts with the players they are considering for the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft on Thursday. Coach Flip Saunders told season ticket holders this week that the team is considering seven players for the spot, and it should be pretty obvious which players are in the mix. Someone within the organization told me that I would be able to tell which players they are considering based on the players they bring in. Since Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet and Ricky Rubio haven't/won't work out for the Wizards, we can eliminate them from that equation. That is, unless one of them slips. So I thought it would be a good ..."

Hill shows off strength, potential

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June 19

Washington Times

"The Washington Wizards on Thursday held their final predraft evaluation for a lottery-projected player, putting power forward Jordan Hill through a workout at Verizon Center. Wizards officials got a close look at one of the more intriguing yet puzzling prospects they could select with the fifth pick. The Arizona product is generally regarded as the third-best big man in the field behind Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet. But the 6-foot-10, 235-pounder, who averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds as a junior last season, has been projected to go as high as fourth or drop out of the top 10 altogether. Hill is an athletic big man brimming with potential who likely has significant strides to ..."

Hill Makes His Case for Wizards

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June 19

Washington Post

"Jordan Hill had Washington Wizards assistant Sam Cassell trapped under the basket. His arms were raised high, giving Cassell an imposing nine-foot reach to shoot over. The 6-foot-3 Cassell whipped out a move he clearly had learned from his days playing alongside Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston. He lifted the ball toward the rim, coercing Hill to jump, then spun back counterclockwise on his pivot foot to drop a hook shot over Hill. "They don't do that in the Pac-10," Cassell shouted with a laugh. Hill, a 6-10 junior forward from Arizona, chuckled and shook his head, dreadlocks bouncing, sweat dripping from his chin. One week from fulfilling a dream and hearing NBA ..."

Wizards stay on point in draft workouts

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June 17

Washington Times

"The Wizards' front office may not select a point guard in the June 25 NBA Draft, but team president Ernie Grunfeld and coach Flip Saunders have done their due diligence working them out. On Tuesday, six guards - including Davidson's Stephen Curry, Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings, who played in Italy last year - had a group workout at Verizon Center. Jennings - who last year turned down a chance to play at Arizona for a spot on Italian club Lottomatica Virtus Roma and $1.2 million - said he didn't regret his decision to play overseas for a year. He said going to college "probably would've helped my stock" but getting a chance to play in the Euroleague - which Jennings called the ..."

Wizards Get Close Look at Point Guards Curry, Flynn and Jennings

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June 17

Washington Post

"Three of the top point guards in an NBA draft stocked full of them were in town, and the Washington Wizards wanted to push prospects Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings to the limit as they auditioned for the No. 5 pick during an hour-long workout yesterday. The workout began with Wizards Coach Flip Saunders asking for the air conditioner to be turned down. Then, the players weren't given any water breaks as the team ran them ragged, concluding the workout with a shooting drill that required the players to sprint to the baseline and back to the foul line, then shoot jumpers at the elbow. They were able to leave an impression with their varying styles. Curry, the high-scoring ..."

Wizards work out Evans and Harden

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June 13

Washington Times

"A day after hosting North Carolina's Ty Lawson and Southern Cal's DeMar DeRozan, the Washington Wizards worked out four more prospects Friday, hoping to find the right fit for their No. 5 and No. 32 picks in the NBA Draft. The group included lottery projections Tyreke Evans of Memphis and James Harden of Arizona State. Evans, whose ability to play point guard and shooting guard makes him attractive to the Wizards, spent about 30 minutes after the workout talking to team president Ernie Grunfeld. "[Grunfeld was just telling me] a lot of things about the league, what I can do well with the ball, where I can create for other players [when I] play the point guard position," said Evans, who has ..."

Washington Trade Rumors: Ginobili

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June 13

Washington Post

"As I've stated before, this time of year, there are several rumors that get floated around, names get mentioned, people start to get in a tizzy. One minute it's Ricky Rubio, then it's Amare Stoudemire, then it's Josh Howard. Now, the latest is talk about the Washington Wizards having a deal on the table for Manu Ginobili for a package involving the No. 5 pick. The website, Hoopsworld, has a purely speculative story about it and now it's all over the Internet. I still don't know what the big deal is. Until I see something meaty, there really is no need to overreact. From what I hear, this is what went down: The San Antonio Spurs contacted the Wizards to inquire about what it what it would ..."

Wizards Look at Harden, Evans

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June 13

Washington Post

"With the NBA draft less than two weeks away and rumors flying about whether the Washington Wizards will keep or deal the fifth pick, the past three days at Verizon Center have featured pre-draft workouts for a wide spectrum of players, the majority of whom are not considered lottery selections. However, if the Wizards don't make a move before June 25, and if the team's brass decides to select a back-court mate for Gilbert Arenas, the decision could come down to two players who worked out individually yesterday: Arizona State sophomore James Harden and Memphis freshman Tyreke Evans. Both players are considered potential top-five picks, and on paper, they have some similarities. They are ..."

DeRozan finishes Wiz workout with heavy feet

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June 12

Washington Examiner

"It's become the staple finale to a Flip Saunders-led Wizards predraft workout. From the elbow, players shoot their way down from seven to zero, after each shot, running to the opposite sideline before returning for the next attempt. Each make reduces the number remaining by one, each miss adds to the total. On Thursday, Southern California freshman DeMar DeRozan's shooting performance in the drill was average: he made a few, missed a few. But coming at the end of the projected lottery pick's individual workout, the 6-foot-6 DeRozan could muster no more than a jog and barely got his feet off the floor for his shots. "The pros are that [the] staff sees everything you can do," said DeRozan, ..."

Wizards work out Lawson

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June 12

Washington Times

"Holding the No. 5 and No. 32 picks in this year's NBA Draft, the Wizards worked out seven potential future pros Wednesday, most notably North Carolina standout Ty Lawson and Southern Cal freshman DeMar DeRozan. While both prospects said they would be happy to play for the Wizards next season, DeRozan, who worked out by himself, especially liked the idea of playing on an up-tempo team that would highlight his athletic abilities. "This is a great team [for me] - get out in transition, really run," he said. "They've got a lot of athletes on the team - Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, Caron Butler. A team like this would be great for me." The 6-foot-7 DeRozan, a projected lottery pick, could fill ..."

You Have One Hour . . .

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June 12

Washington Post

"After the Washington Wizards concluded a workout for six prospects, including former North Carolina star Ty Lawson, DeMar DeRozan stepped onto Verizon Center's practice floor. He had his own session in front of the Wizards brass. DeRozan, a freshman from Southern California, was a late addition to yesterday's schedule, but he was the player that will be most relevant when the Wizards are on the clock during the June 25 draft. DeRozan is expected to be a lottery pick and should be drafted within range of the Wizards' No. 5 overall selection. "I want to have the staff see everything I improved on and have the main thing be me," DeRozan said. "That's one of the things in the workouts that I ..."

Wizards Work Out Williams and Diane

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June 11

Washington Post

"For one hour yesterday, former Louisville swingman Terrence Williams and former Virginia guard Mamadi Diane played against each other in one-on-one opportunities and took turns during shooting drills in a pre-draft workout for the Washington Wizards. After the June 25 NBA draft, Williams and Diane likely will follow different career paths. Williams will almost assuredly be selected, possibly even in the first half of the first round. Diane, a DeMatha alum, faces an uncertain future that likely will not be resolved on draft night. His best shot at making an NBA roster will be impressing a team during the summer league, although Diane also has options to play abroad. "It was the toughest ..."

Time to start looking forward

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June 10

Washington Times

columnist Tom Knott

"The Wizards do not need another project on their roster, which the No. 5 pick in the NBA Draft would be. They need immediate help, whether at shooting guard or power forward. They need a move that renews the passion of the fan base. They need a move that quells the anxiety associated with the left knee of Gilbert Arenas. The only untouchable on the roster, if there is such a player from a 19-win team, is Caron Butler. He is the most complete player on the roster, willing to play both ends of the floor in rugged fashion. Antawn Jamison is a willing defender as well, just not always a capable one, too laterally slow to contain small forwards and too physically deficient to deal with power ..."

Two potential plans for No. 5

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June 5

Washington Examiner

"Since the ill-fatedin the NBA Draft Lottery two weeks ago, falling two spots to land the fifth overall pick in the June 25 draft, the Washington Wizards have become one of the most talked about teams in pre-draft trade rumor circles. Two significant trade rumors have emerged courtesy of various NBA Web sites. Both are worth exploring. Rumor No. 1 Washington gets Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix in exchange for the No. 5 pick, [a Wizards star] and [a Wizards expiring contract].* Financial pressures on the Suns, as well as other teams in the NBA, make this less surprising than you might think. In this case, if the Wizards superstar is aging Antawn Jamison, the deal is lopsided in favor of ..."

Despite poor economy, NBA will not eliminate luxury tax

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June 5

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Although several teams have taken a hit financially, NBA Commissioner David Stern said Thursday the league has no plans to eliminate the luxury tax until the economy recovers. With his team's player payroll projected to exceed $76 million, Hornets owner George Shinn could have to pay a luxury tax bill of more than $5 million next summer. The Hornets were one of the 12 teams that received loans from the league this spring. Since 2003, 17 of the league's 30 teams have borrowed $2 billion since the league began establishing a line of credit for loans used by teams. "There's a difference between choosing to and having a need to," Stern said at state of his league address before Thursday's ..."

In draft, timing is No. 1 thing

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June 2

Washington Times

columnist Dan Daly

"Once again at lottery time, the Wizards were cursed with too much ping - or not enough pong. The jewel of the 2009 draft, Blake Griffin, will go to the Clippers, and Washington fans will spend the next decade wondering how a power forward with Karl Malone's muscle and Amare Stoudemire's spring might have fit in with Agent Zero and Co. (Wild guess: They probably would have found a way not to bump into one another.) Yes, you can obsess too much about getting the first overall pick. As history has shown, it's not always the key to happiness. But consider the recent record: Dwight Howard just led the Magic to the finals. Howard was the first pick in the 2004 draft. Two years earlier, LeBron ..."

If the Wizards Draft Big, Hill Could Loom Large

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May 30

Washington Post

"On the night of the NBA draft lottery, Blake Griffin's older brother Taylor told him that he thought Blake was going to wind up in Washington. "He felt like it would be a good place for me," Blake Griffin, the consensus choice to go No. 1 overall in the June NBA draft, said this week at the draft combine in Chicago. Unfortunately for fans of the Wizards, Taylor Griffin was not in charge of deciding where his brother would start his NBA career. Ping-Pong balls established the numerical combination that resulted in the Los Angeles Clippers winning the top pick, and the Wizards were forced to make do with No. 5. Wizards Coach Flip Saunders joked that he would be okay with the fifth pick, so ..."

76ers to Hire Ex-Wizards Coach Jordan

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May 30

Washington Post

"Both the Philadelphia Daily News and the Associated Press are reporting that Eddie Jordan, fired in November as Wizards coach, will take over the 76ers. On first glance, it seems a good fit for a team which ended a first-round playoff loss against the Orlando Magic wondering if point guard Andre Miller or center Samuel Dalembert wanted to return. The team also struggled to get its big offseason free-agent signing, Elton Brand, acclimated. They fired coach Mo Cheeks and reverted to a running style suited to stars Andre Igoudala and Thaddeus Young under interim coach Tony DiLeo, who is returning to the front office, much like the Wizards' interim coach, Ed Tapscott. It also seems a good fit ..."

Players Talking a Good Game

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May 29

Washington Post

"Arizona State sophomore James Harden admitted on Wednesday that he sometimes checks the Internet to see where various mock drafts have him slotted, and he is often annoyed by criticism that he lacks the athleticism to be a successful shooting guard in the NBA. Southern California swingman DeMar DeRozan said he doesn't pay attention to draft speculation, but people have told him that some analysts compare him to NBA star Vince Carter. DeRozan's beef? "I think I can jump higher than Vince Carter did," DeRozan told reporters at a Chicago hotel. After running drills trying to impress scouts at the league's draft combine with their athletic gifts and basketball intelligence, the top prospects ..."

James picks up option

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May 28

Washington Examiner

"Washington Wizards guard Mike James has picked up his player option for the 2009-10 season, agent Bernie Lee just informed me. James averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists in 53 games (50 starts) for the Wizards last season after being acquired eight games into the year from New Orleans in a three-team deal that also garnered Washington Javaris Crittenton from Memphis while sending New Orleans guard Antonio Daniels and a second-round draft pick. The Grizzlies picked up a conditional draft pick that the Wizards had originally acquired in the deal that gave Memphis Juan Carlos Navarro. James will earn $6.7 million this season. Because it is the final year of his contract, he could very well be ..."

Who could bring magic to Wizards?

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May 27

Washington Examiner

"The NBA's pre-draft camp changed its ways, trying to lure the big names. They succeeded. But it took away another chance for teams to watch the top players face off against each other in games. Sixty two players were invited, including locals Ty Lawson, Greivis Vasquez, Sam Young, Dante Cunningham and DaJuan Summers. It's now more like an NFL combine, with drills and interviews with the teams. If the Wizards keep the fifth overall pick, here are some players they'll pay close attention to this week, with analysis from Ryan Blake, the assistant director of NBA scouting. Arizona forward Jordan Hill "The guy rebounds, is athletic and he improved his energy and confidence. His skill level ..."

Cassell follows his calling

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May 23

Washington Times

"Five years into his playing career, and just three seasons removed from back-to-back championships with the Houston Rockets, Sam Cassell looked at coach Rudy Tomjanovich, observing the respect he commanded and the knowledge and insight he shared. Cassell thought to himself, "I want that." At that moment, the Baltimore native decided that as soon his playing days ended, he would cross the bridge into coaching. "I just loved it. I said, 'This is what I want to do,' " said Cassell, who retired after 15 NBA seasons and begins the next chapter of his life as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards. "I just became a student of this game. I know the history of this game, I love the history ..."

Wizards Introduce Wittman, Cassell

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May 23

Washington Post

"Hours after the Washington Wizards announced that he was hired as an assistant on Coach Flip Saunders's staff, Randy Wittman went out to dinner with his new boss and told Saunders a story from his first day as a player in the NBA. In 1983, the Washington Bullets drafted Wittman, a 6-foot-6 guard out of Indiana, with the 22nd overall pick. Wittman said he wore a Bullets hat for "about 10 minutes" before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks for 6-11 forward Tom McMillen. "I'm telling Flip this story [Thursday] night and as soon as Tom McMillen's words came out of my mouth, he walked in the door," Wittman said Friday following a pre-draft workout at Verizon Center. "It was a little scary." ..."

Saunders' staff gets Cassell, Wittman

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May 22

Washington Times

"Washington Wizards coach Flip Saunders hired Randy Wittman and Sam Cassell to join him as assistants next season, the team announced Thursday. "Randy and Sam will be excellent additions to our coaching staff, and both will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals," Saunders said in a release. "Randy brings a wealth of experience as a former head coach of two different teams and is very familiar with my system. I always regarded Sam as a coach on the floor during his playing days, and he brings instant credibility as a three-time NBA champion and a proven winner." Wittman coached under Saunders in Minnesota before leaving in 1999 to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers for two seasons. He ..."

Vasquez Works Out With Wizards

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May 22

Washington Post

"Demonstrative as always, Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez aimed to clarify a few points of discussion surrounding his status in the NBA draft Thursday following a workout at Verizon Center with the Washington Wizards. According to Vasquez, he is nowhere near making a decision on whether to remain in the draft or return to Maryland for his senior season, he is not considering opportunities to play professionally overseas in the slightest and he is a point guard -- or at least, he would prefer to be. "This is the time for me to get better as an individual," Vasquez said. "It's summertime, you know? It's not about me going and leaving; it's just about me getting better. If something comes up, ..."

Working out for Wizards, Vasquez declares: not Europe

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May 22

Washington Examiner

"It's the NBA or College Park for Greivis Vasquez next season, of that you can be sure. "Let's make that clear," the Maryland junior said Thursday after working out for the Washington Wizards. "Greivis Vasquez is not going overseas. He's not playing in Europe. I would rather get my education and get my degree if it comes to me going overseas." Vasquez stood out among the third and best foursome yet to audition for the Wizards ahead of the June 25 draft, which also included Kentucky junior Jodie Meeks, Ole Miss junior David Huertas and LSU senior Marcus Thornton. Thursday also marked the first appearances for Sam Cassell and Randy Wittman, who were both named assistant coaches to Flip ..."

For Grunfeld, deal or no deal

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May 21

Washington Times

"The Washington Wizards got no lucky bounce in the NBA Draft lottery and will "explore all options" with the No. 5 pick in the June 25 draft, president Ernie Grunfeld said. Those options include packaging the draft pick with a player or two, perhaps one with an expiring contract, and trading them for a veteran who would bolster the lineup. That's what Grunfeld did in 2004 when he selected Devin Harris with the fifth pick and shipped him, Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner to the Dallas Mavericks. Washington got now-team captain Antawn Jamison in return. Wizards coach Flip Saunders said Washington's second-round pick (32nd overall) also could be attractive to opposing general managers. ..."

Wizards' Grunfeld Likes Options

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May 21

Washington Post

"Despite abundant evidence to the contrary, Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld considers himself a lucky man. Last fall, his team lost an all-star guard and a starting center to injuries that kept them out most of the year. Last month, his team concluded a regular season that tied for the worst in franchise history. On Tuesday night at the NBA draft lottery, the Wizards lost out on the opportunity to make the No. 1 selection on June 25, despite having the second-best odds to obtain the pick. And still, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he addressed the media yesterday afternoon, Grunfeld repeatedly stated his contentment with the No. 5 selection Washington did receive. "Once we ..."

Not About Luck: Wizards Created Their Own Problems

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May 21

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"I am playing Powerball tonight. And because I have a better chance of perishing in a plane crash or being struck by lightning, I will not win. I know this. Yet, because the seductive lure of making a very good life even better seems worth a few dollars, I still play. And lose. It's not exactly wagering 63 losses on the NBA draft lottery, hoping beyond hope that one special young player will alter a franchise's future. But, really, the Wizards have to feel almost as hopeless as if they had just penciled in a bonus number at a convenience store, no? They played David Stern's multi-state game Tuesday night, gambling like the rest of those NBA degenerates -- the Kings, the Clippers, the ..."

No Griffin, no Rubio and no luck

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May 20

Washington Times

columnist Tom Knott

"No such luck. That was the Wizards' fate in the NBA Draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J., on Tuesday night. There will be no Blake Griffin appearing in a Wizards uniform next season. No Ricky Rubio either. Instead, the Wizards wound up with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft next month. That could result in a gem-in-the-making or merely another interchangeable part. It is a roll of the dice either way, as draft selections usually are. So Griffin goes to the Clippers, Rubio to the Grizzlies, who to the Thunder, what to the Kings and I don't know to the Wizards. After Griffin and Rubio, the nitpicking begins. And the wait. The quality of a draft does not reveal itself until three or four years after ..."

Wizards's draft spot falls

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May 20

Washington Times

"Well, so much for a franchise-changing consolation prize. The Washington Wizards lost out on a chance to land the No. 1 or No. 2 picks in the NBA Draft lottery and wound up with the fifth pick in the draft for the second time since 2004. The Los Angeles Clippers, who held the third spot in the lottery - one spot behind the Wizards - landed the top pick in the June 25 event. That selection is expected to be used on Oklahoma's Blake Griffin. The Memphis Grizzlies were awarded the second pick, which is expected to be Spain's Ricky Rubio. And the Sacramento Kings, who finished with the worst record in the league at 17-65 and had the best chance of winning the lottery, instead wound up with the ..."

Wizards work out Reynolds

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May 19

Washington Times

"Herndon's Scottie Reynolds showcased his skills Monday for new Wizards coach Flip Saunders and franchise brass as part of a predraft workout at Verizon Center. "I feel good about it. It went well," said the 6-foot-2, 190-pound scorer from Villanova. He joined fellow guards Jerel McNeal (Marquette), Lester Hudson (Tennessee-Martin) and Mike Rose (Eastern Kentucky) in an intense, 80-minute session. "Right now, I'm going to take a shower, get cleaned up and get on the phone looking for the next one of these to see where I'll end up next," Reynolds added. "It's kind of a day-to-day thing." Reynolds averaged 15.2 points and 3.4 assists during Villanova's run to the Final Four. His game-winning ..."

Luck simply has everything to do with it

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May 19

Washington Times

columnist Tom Knott

"A rabbit's foot, anyone? A four-leaf clover? Or perhaps the Wizards should dispatch a penny-toting representative to the celebrated Upwey Wishing Well, located just north of Weymouth, England. The Wizards need all the luck they can summon going into the NBA Draft lottery Tuesday night in Secaucus, N.J. Prayers, too. They have a 17.8 percent chance of securing the No. 1 pick next month. That pick will be Blake Griffin, the Oklahoma forward with an All-Star future. Ricky Rubio, the 18-year-old point guard from Spain, is the next flavor of the moment in the draft. Yet he is a precipitous drop from Griffin, as teen perimeter players with a steep learning curve ahead usually are. The draft has ..."

Wizards think Blake

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May 19

Washington Times

"The last time Flip Saunders sat on stage representing a team at the NBA Draft lottery, the Minnesota Timberwolves landed the fifth pick and went on to select future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. When the NBA conducts the 2009 lottery Tuesday, Saunders again will be on stage, only this time he will represent his new team, the Washington Wizards. And team president Ernie Grunfeld hopes his new good luck charm helps the pingpong balls bounce in a favorable way so the Wizards can land a player with stock and potential that rivals Garnett's. "We'll see what Flip can do for us," Grunfeld said with a chuckle. It will mark the first time in five years that Grunfeld and the Wizards will be ..."

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