June 2, 2021
The Washington Wizards face an important offseason that will shape the future of this franchise for years to come. This team is on the fringe of becoming a legitimate playoff contender every year, and with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook on the roster, anything is possible.
Washington faced some adversity this season after Thomas Bryant fell to a season-ending injury. This left the Wizards without quality play from the center position, which proved to be an issue throughout the year. Luckily for them, Bryant should come back fully healthy next year and provide consistency in the paint.
The front office made a brilliant move in the middle of the season after trading for Daniel Gafford from the Chicago Bulls. Gafford is capable of playing both power forward and center, which gives Washington some versatility off of the bench.
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The Wizards’ 2020-21 season came to an unceremonious end with a 17-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, who were playing without their best player, Joel Embiid. Despite the absence of an MVP-level performer, the Sixers pummeled the Wizards to close out the series 4-1.
The Wizards had their own injury travails, of course. Starting center Thomas Bryant was out with a torn knee ligament, as he has been all season, and Davis Bertans was sidelined with a strained calf. Washington got by in the middle with Daniel Gafford and Robin Lopez. Their only real options with Bertans out of action: three-guard lineups. At least if they wanted to have lineups with NBA-caliber players on the floor.
Dane Moore NBA Podcast: The NBA Playoffs Through A Timberwolves Lens
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On today’s pod, Jack Borman of Canis Hoopus joins the pod to chat about our Minnesota Timberwolves-related thoughts that have been triggered while watching these playoffs. We’re calling it “watching the playoffs through a Timberwolves lens.” And, in that, we discuss:
The idea of
this playoff role player-type of John Collins being on the Wolves next season
Buy-low guys that could be acquired via trade this summer by the Wolves who are playing in these playoffs. Guys like Daniel Gafford of the Wizards