Top Stories of the Week: Gortat’s departure, the Mystics’ win streak hits four

Happy Saturday everyone and hope you’re enjoying your pre-July 4 festivities. Here’s what’s going on with Washington’s professional basketball teams

The Mystics have quietly gotten hot again

The Mystics won four in a row, dating back to June 19 when they beat the Chicago Sky. In the past week, they defeated the Connecticut Sun last Tuesday and Elena Delle Donne scored a game-winning three pointer to defeat the New York Liberty.

On Saturday, the Mystics will play the Phoenix Mercury where they will try to extend their win streak to five games.

Au revoir Marcin Gortat, Bienvenue Austin Rivers!

On Tuesday, the Wizards acquired Austin Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marcin Gortat, the Wizards’s starting center for each of the last five seasons. Gortat has been a consistent low post presence for the Wizards, but Kevin Broom believes that the young Rivers is not the right type of addition the Wizards need. At any rate, I wrote that Gortat and his five year tenure deserve our appreciation.

There’s another beneficiary of the Gortat trade: Ian Mahinmi. In 2016, he signed a four-year, $64 million contract with Washington. His first year was riddled with injuries while his second wasn’t that good, though Mahinmi had some moments. Mahinmi is paid like a starting center. To his credit, heshowed that he’s capable of doing that at times — if he stays out of foul trouble. Unfortunately, he fouls way too often.

If the Wizards aren’t able to acquire another top tier starting center in the coming weeks, Mahinmi will be the man setting picks for John Wall and defending other big men.

C’est la vie, mesdames et messieurs!

The Wizards coaching staff will change next season

Assistant coach Chad Iske will go to the Hornets while Sidney Lowe will be the Pistons’ new lead assistant coach next season. Meanwhile, Robert Pack, a one-time guard for the Wizards/Bullets, will be on head coach Scott Brooks’ staff this fall.

That’s what I have for the week. Enjoy the start to summer everyone!