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The Washington Wizards released Jordan Bell, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
The Wizards have released Jordan Bell from his 10-day contract, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) January 31, 2021
Though Bell was released, the Wizards haven’t completely severed ties with him. He was on the Capital City Go-Go roster before getting called up. He will now be with the Erie BayHawks, the Go-Go’s partner team this G-League season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bell, who had previously signed an exhibit 10 contract with the Wizards, returns to the Erie Bayhawks, the G League team that is operated by the Pelicans and that Washington is using as its affiliate for this season.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) January 31, 2021
In three appearances, Bell averaged 3.3 and 5.3 rebounds per game.
There has been criticism over Bell’s release since he was producing more than Anthony Gill who is averaging 1.1 points per game in eight appearances this season. Fair point, especially since Gill is on a two-year contract.
Our own Diamond Holton isn’t a fan of the Wizards’ decisions, even if these were solely involving end-of-the-bench players.
Wizards front office decision making is just terrible lol. Like we kept Anthony Gill for what? And released Jordan Bell?
— Minnea Speaks (@_PensAndWords_) January 31, 2021
Maybe I’m too exasperated about the Wizards’ poor 3-8 pre-coronavirus outbreak to rant on this one, but I don’t think Bell’s departure is a bad thing. He shot under 40 percent from the field in his Wizards stint, very poor for a post player. In the G-League, he will get more playing time than in Washington, especially now that Rui Hachimura and Moritz Wagner have officially returned from coronavirus protocols, or allegedly recovered from COVID-19.
As for Gill, he is only averaging 30 percent of his shots, so ... he has to step it up, to say the least.