The Bradley Beal (and Kristaps Porzingis) era is over, Wizards can turn to the first stage of their reconstruction: the development of young players, not necessarily referenced, but who only ask to have the opportunity to prove their worth in a workforce where no one is truly indestructible.
In this sense, as soon as they arrived in the capital, and in order to launch this project on a whirlwind, the new leaders took it into their heads to bring in young elements, but who have rubbed shoulders with the culture of winning.
” We took the time to assess the situation and realize that we had to remodel some things », admits Will Dawkinsthe new GM of Washington. ” So what we thought we would do is bring in a group of young players and surround them with veterans. [qui ont déjà remporté le titre]who will fight, on both sides of the field, and play selflessly. »
It was with this in mind that the Wizards turned to the Warriors, there benchmark in the field for nearly ten years. So as soon as Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr. And ryan rollins were made available by the leaders of Golden State, Will Dawkins did not hesitate to part with the coveted Chris Paul.
Main counterpart of the transfer, Jordan Poole is certainly the one in whom the architect of Washington bases the most hopes, taking into account what he has shown with the “Dubs” during the last three seasons (almost 18 points, 4 assists and 3 average rebounds), in the shadow of Stephen Curry.
A future leader and two promising young people?
“ The best thing about him is that he’s only 24, but he’s already a young veteran “, Estimates Will Dawkins, concerning the 2022 champion, called to explode in the capital. “ He’s had success, he knows what it’s like to win, he’s played some top games and he’s played well. Here, he will have the opportunity to continue to progress, because he is not yet at the peak of his career. He has experience, he has qualities and he lands in a city, a place where he is wanted, where we want to let him develop his game. He also has the state of mind to lead a group, considering the way he behaved on and off the court at Golden State like a top professional. »
In addition to Jordan Poole therefore, the Wizards have also recovered Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Two players drafted in 2022 and who are not at the same stage of development, but who do not lack desire.
” You have to give them an opportunity “Judge in any case Will Dawkins. ” From the second we made a deal [avec les Warriors]it was like they already wanted to play, play in the Summer League, show what they can do. […] The best thing with them is that they want to play right away, because they were in an established team, where it was more difficult to get playing time… »
During the Las Vegas Summer League, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins also showed good things under the colors of Washington, posting respectively 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 against average, as well as 14.0 points, 5.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals average.
Proof that these two players, long watched by the DC franchise and considered ” highly talented by Will Dawkins, are just begging for a shot in this league, as they “ haven’t forgotten how to play basketball “Adds the GM, who is also known to be seduced by Bilal Coulibaly.
