TGIF links:

• Trevor Ariza hasn't forgotten that President Obama still owes him a handshake for his role on the 2009 champion Lakers. How 'bout you get that handshake after helping the Wiz win a title, eh? [D.C. Sports Bog]
• The Wizards have released their preseason schedule, which includes eight games. including one lone home contest and, as pointed out over at Nets Daily, the first pro sporting event in Brooklyn since 1957. Pretty cool. There's also a matchup with the Miami Heat in, of all places, Kansas City. [Us | Washington Post | Press release]
• BNIE writes that it's time to throw the Wiz kids in the deep end and see if they can stay afloat.
• Given the team's dismal record of player development (see: Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, Nick Young), Chad Ford and John Hollinger don't exactly see brighter days ahead for the Wizards. [ESPN]
• Should Bradley Beal begin the season as the Wizards' starter at shooting guard, or would the team be better off giving the nod to veteran Jordan Crawford and easing Beal into a starting role?

• In his consistently excellent Clipboard feature, Jordan concludes that Chris Singleton has a ways to go to live up to the defensive reputation he built in college, but that the improvements he must make usually come with increased experience.
• Standig says John Wall's best chance of making it to the 2016 Rio Games is playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup in 2014. [CSN Washington]
• Hakeem Olajuwon thinks McGee "should dominate the league." Sigh. [CSN Washington | Ball Don't Lie]
• Olajuwon is also trying to get Amar'e Stoudemire back to being on the best post players in the NBA. [The Point Forward]
• Sounds like the Lakers are just going to fill Mike Brown's bench with former Wizards head coaches. [SB Nation]
• Speaking of the Lakers, their offseason indicates they don't have much regard for the NBA's new luxury tax penalties. [SB Nation]
• Derrick Rose is on the way back. Be afraid. [SB Nation | Ball Don't Lie]
• Andrew Sharp has determined minority Nets owner Jay-Z is the "male Oprah." [SB Nation]
• Good stuff here on new Magic general manager Rob Hennigan, who at 30 is the youngest GM in the league. [SI]
• Can there be any doubt that James Harden is the most adorable player in the NBA? [SB Nation]