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Loser: John Wall
Let’s review what this man has been through in the recent weeks:
- Found out his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Had surgery to remove painful bone spurs from his heel that limited him most of the season.
- Got an infection from the surgery.
- Ruptured his Achilles because he slipped getting in the shower, during the one time he’s not supposed to wear his protective boot. (And dealt with baseless accusations that he ruptured his Achilles doing something reckless. As we all know, people are eager to go do stupid things in a walking boot while dealing with an infection three weeks after major surgery. Come on, people.)
- Has to deal with incessant talk about his injuries and contract forced the Wizards into a rebuild.
Sure, most of us would gladly take Wall’s criticisms to get Wall’s paychecks, but still, it’s far from the way he or anyone on the Wizards could have envisioned things would pan out when they agreed to this extension. If you can’t feel some pity for what Wall’s going through, I don’t know what to tell you.
Winners: Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green
The Wizards didn’t just keep their veterans, they’re apparently intent on keeping them beyond this season, according to Ben Standig of NBC Sports Washington and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Wizards plan at this point is to keep Trevor Ariza and Jeff Green with the hopes of retaining the unrestricted free agents beyond this season, per source.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 7, 2019
Lakers are interested, but Trevor Ariza and Washington Wizards remain in each's future plans, league sources tell ESPN. Ariza is enthusiastic about re-signing with Washington. Wizards' trades creating financial flexibility that'll make it easier to bring Ariza back on new deal
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
Anytime you can secure the bag in February as you head toward your mid-thirties, that a big win. Props to them.
Loser: Bradley Beal
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) February 7, 2019
If Wednesday’s thumping was any indication, it’s gonna be a lot harder for Beal to get back to the playoffs this season. That will make it even more difficult to get enough attention from media voters to get All-NBA honors and a crack at a supermax extension.
Loser: Wizards fans
Obviously.
Loser: Otto Porter Jr.
Porter was connected to several teams rumors that would have made sense. You could see how he could be helpful to a team like the Mavericks, Kings, or Blazers. Instead, he’s going to Bulls, where he makes less sense than any almost any other team in the league.
Also, if you thought he had problems getting the ball before? He’s going to have a heck of a time getting it out of Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine’s hands in between Jim Boylan’s push-up drills.
Loser: Markieff Morris
This probably was not the transaction Rich Paul wanted to see involving a Klutch client and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Loser: Matt Silich
I just poured dry cereal dust into my eye trying to eat it straight out of the bag, and I still think I’m having a better night than the Wizards.
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) February 7, 2019
Someone please teach my man how to eat cereal.
Loser: Ted Leonsis
As Fred Katz of The Athletic pointed out on Wednesday, Leonsis has now gone on the record two times saying the Wizards wouldn’t trade a player they ended up moving later in the season. That’s not a good look for building a rapport with players or fans. It might not be something that leads to Anthony Davis’ dad firing off an angry text, but it’s not great.
Leonsis would probably blame the Wall setback for the team’s change of heart, and that’s understandable. But if all it takes is one slip to make you trade your highest-paid player this season for a guy who couldn’t get regular playing time on the Bulls, then don’t go out and brag about how your process is superior to Philadelphia’s and act like you’re above making moves that hurt your chances of making the playoffs.