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Spirit beats Courage in Jonatan Giráldez's understated Audi Field send-off

Spirit beats Courage in Jonatan Giráldez's understated Audi Field send-off

Washington Post4 days ago

For the Washington Spirit, an otherwise routine 3-1 win over the North Carolina Courage on Sunday came paired with an unexpected occasion: Coach Jonatan Giráldez's Audi Field farewell.
The Spirit last week announced Giráldez will leave for French power OL Lyonnes after a June 22 match at San Diego, with assistant Adrián González taking the reins. The decorated Spaniard's move to another club owned by Y. Michele Kang, less than a year into his Spirit tenure, was a seismic development that shook the women's soccer landscape on two continents. Although Giráldez downplayed his impact at a Friday news conference — 'I am not the most important person here,' he said — the change was undeniably unmooring for a top NWSL title contender.

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The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursue
The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursue

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The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursue

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Paul George comes to mind as a comparison, but so does Michael Porter Jr.. Bailey has little playmaking chops at this point and will likely depend on teammates to help him create space to start his career. However, the 18-year-old's measurables, including his 7.5-foot wingspan, will help him defend guards and forwards, providing potential two-way value. Advertisement Bailey's shot selection as well as his lack of dribbling and passing (averaged just 1.3 assists with the Scarlet Knights) have all received criticism, but his scoring ability (17.6 points on 46 percent FG, 34.6 percent 3 PT) gives him the star potential that the Wizards need. Washington has no shortage of young talent, as Alex Sarr (First Team All-Rookie), Bub Carrington (Second Team All-Rookie), Bilal Coulibaly (two-time Rising Star), Kyshawn George (114 made three-pointers), and AJ Johnson (No. 23 overall pick) are all still in the early stages of their development. However, they're considered more as supporting pieces than potential superstars. Bailey, for all his flaws, would have the highest ceiling on the Wizards' roster if they acquired him. The off-ball wing is projected as a top-five pick, which means they'd likely have to trade up to get him. Washington could also stand pat at No. 6 and get someone like Texas guard Tre Johnson or Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Those would be safe picks, but nobody else would have Bailey's level of explosiveness and potential at that spot. Advertisement What should the team give up in a trade package? Wizards should make a deal with 76ers or Hornets John Jones-USA TODAY Sports It's a foregone conclusion that the Dallas Mavericks will take Flagg at No. 1, and either the San Antonio Spurs or a team that trades up will get Harper at No. 2. Moving up for the latter player would be a dream for Washington, but it would likely take a haul of picks and players that the front office wouldn't want to send out. However, sliding up to No. 3 is doable. The Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the pick, are rumored to be interested in Duke guard Kon Knueppel as a 'play-now guy,' via The Ringer's Tate Frazier. They could theoretically trade back and select the Wisconsin native, who's projected to get picked in the back half of the top 10, to maximize value. Advertisement Enter the Wizards. General manager Will Dawkins has traded up in each of his first two drafts, and he won't hesitate to do it again if he believes in a projected top-five player. For the sake of this scenario, let's say that the former Oklahoma City Thunder executive will stop at nothing to get Bailey in the District of Columbia. The safest route to take in that case would be acquiring the No. 3 pick from Philadelphia to make sure that nobody else snags the 2025 Big Ten All-Freshman selection. 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3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft
3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft

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3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft

The post 3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Washington Wizards finished the 2024-25 season with a 18-64 record. Washington held on to the sixth overall pick after the NBA Draft lottery and are one of seven teams with two first round picks under their control. How they use those picks will influence how head coach Brian Keefe approaches the season. Regardless of who they walk out of the first round with Washington's young core, led by Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr, is one of the more interesting groups in the NBA. Advertisement Throughout last season, the Wizards played six players who were in their rookie or sophomore seasons in the league. Predictably, the team had a tough time shooting, passing, and protecting the ball. Washington ranked in the bottom ten of the league in field goal percentage, as well as turnovers and assists per game. 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Wizards rumors: Jordan Poole mentioned as trade candidate ahead of NBA Draft
Wizards rumors: Jordan Poole mentioned as trade candidate ahead of NBA Draft

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Wizards rumors: Jordan Poole mentioned as trade candidate ahead of NBA Draft

The post Wizards rumors: Jordan Poole mentioned as trade candidate ahead of NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. Washington Wizards general manager Will Dawkins and team president Michael Winger had just taken over when they flipped Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors for a package including Jordan Poole in July 2023. Almost two years later, Poole's name is swirling in trade rumors, via NBA Big Board's Rafael Barlowe. Advertisement 'Also worth noting — around the league, there's growing belief that Jordan Poole could be moved, either on draft night or later this summer,' he reported on Wednesday. 'That potential shake-up adds another layer to Washington's draft strategy and could open up a path for a new backcourt face.' Poole's Washington tenure has been a mutually beneficial partnership. After coming off the bench for the Warriors, the Wizards converted the Michigan alum into a full-time starter for the first time in his NBA career, which helped him develop into a more efficient shooter (career-high 37.8 percent clip from deep this season). In return, he mentored the team's young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George. However, the timelines don't match up for a long-term marriage. Poole has two years left on his contract, and Washington still isn't close to contending. The soon-to-be-26-year-old is just entering his prime, and would fit better as a starter or sixth man on a contender. Whether a trade happens this offseason, at the February trade deadline, or next summer depends on whether the Wizards get a valuable enough offer to deal him. What would that look like? Wizards-Magic Jordan Poole trade makes sense for right price © Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images Fans on social media have pointed out that Poole would fit in well with the Orlando Magic. They have a budding frontcourt duo of Paolo Banchero (25.9 points per game this season) and Franz Wagner (24.1 PPG) to go with shooting guard Jalen Suggs (16.2 PPG), all aged 24 or younger. However, their offense needs help, as they ranked 28th with 105.4 points per game and 27th with a 108.9 offensive rating. An athletic scorer/playmaker like Poole could give them the jolt they need. Advertisement Additionally, the 2019 first-round pick has worked out with Banchero and has a relationship with several Magic players. In March, he referred to the team as 'Michigan University,' as Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, Caleb Houstan, and Jett Howard are all fellow alumni. Therefore, he could be a good locker-room fit as well. Meanwhile, Orlando has draft capital that Washington could use to accelerate its rebuild. Here's a sensible deal for both sides using the Fanspo NBA Trade Machine. Magic receive: Jordan Poole 2025 No. 40 overall pick (via PHX) Wizards receive: 2025 No. 16 overall pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Advertisement Jonathan Isaac It won't be easy for Washington to land the No. 16 pick for Poole, but his contract gives it leverage. There's no urgent need to deal him right now other than the possibility of landing another 2025 first, which it could use to either select a player or trade up in the draft. However, the club is far from desperate, as it owns the Nos. 6 and 18 picks. If it doesn't get a worthy offer this summer, it can simply wait another year. On the other hand, Orlando would add a career 16.8 PPG scorer (20.5 this season) to a young core that has made the playoffs twice in a row without him, and could at least become a second-round team with him next year. Shedding Caldwell-Pope and Isaac's salaries would also save it $4.8 million in cap space, putting it just $2.3 million over the first apron. The Wizards are still searching for a star, but Poole is an appreciating asset they can use to help them draft one sometime over the next year-and-a-half.

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