Spirit beats Courage in Jonatan Giráldez's understated Audi Field send-off
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 post The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursue appeared first on ClutchPoints. It was hard for Washington Wizards fans to avoid the feeling of despair when their team drew the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, the lowest selection it could've gotten. However, the Wizards still have the capital to make draft day a fruitful one on June 25. Advertisement Falling outside of the top-three picks eliminated their chance of getting a free pass at Cooper Flagg and/or Dylan Harper, the unquestioned top prospects of this class, in that order. But the third and most polarizing star is still attainable. Ace Bailey, who played with Harper at Rutgers this past season and was the highest-ranked recruit in the program's history, has one of the most tantalizing skillsets in the country. The 6-foot-7.5-inch (barefoot), 202-pound wing can consistently make any shot on the floor, including heavily contested/fadeaway looks. 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. Here's a trade that makes sense for both sides: Wizards get: 2025 No. 3 overall pick 76ers get: 2025 No. 6 overall pick 2025 No. 40 overall pick (via PHX) 2026 first-round pick (worst of LAC, HOU, or OKC) 2026 second-round pick Although spending four picks on one player is expensive, there are only 15 standard and three two-way roster spots during the regular season. At this point, Washington has enough young supporting pieces to develop, so it makes sense to let go of a couple extra draft selections to land a potential franchise-altering talent. Advertisement Additionally, it would still keep its top-eight protected 2026 pick in this scenario, which it would convey to the New York Knicks in the unlikely event that it doesn't finish near the bottom of the standings again next season. The club would also keep its No. 18 overall selection, which it could possibly use on players like Colorado State forward Nique Clifford or Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber. Meanwhile, the 76ers would get to take Kneuppel while also adding capital. Another possibility is Dawkins watching how the top of the draft plays out on June 25. If Philadelphia chooses Johnson at No. 3, for example, the third-year GM could slide up to No. 4 for a cheaper price. Of course, this would mean that the Charlotte Hornets, who hold that pick, wouldn't covet Bailey as much as the Wizards. Here's a potential deal if that were the case: Wizards get: 2025 No. 4 overall pick Grant Williams Advertisement Hornets get: 2025 No. 6 overall pick 2025 No. 40 overall pick (via PHX) 2029 first-round pick Saddiq Bey Colby Jones The key here for Washington is keeping all of its 2026-28 picks, as it should be a more competitive team by the 2029 draft. The Hornets would also acquire more draft capital, save $5.3 million toward the cap, and get a player in Bey who averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Detroit Pistons in 2023-24. Pulling off a trade for Bailey wouldn't guarantee success for Washington, but it would at least give the long-tortured franchise a chance of developing its first star since John Wall and Bradley Beal.
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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. Trade rumors have surrounded the Wizards that involve one or both of their first round picks. As of now, though, Washington has shown no interest in moving either of them. In a draft class that could be argued as deeper and more talented than 2024's, the Wizards have another chance to snag future contributors to a contending team. Arguably no team had a better overall draft than Washington did in 2024, taking Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George in the first round. That trio, as well as Coulibaly, showed flashes last season. Now, it is the front offices job to add two more pieces that fit. Here are three players that the Wizards should avoid with the 6th and 18th picks in the draft. @ Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Oklahoma G Jeremiah Fears Jeremiah Fears emerged as one of the top guards in the country's best conference in his freshman season. Fears did not make it onto any of the All-SEC teams this season. However, it is safe to assume that Oklahoma would not have made it into the NCAA Tournament without him. He led the Sooners in scoring at 17.1 points per game, serving as the team's offensive engine. He took his scoring to another level in the last five games of his college career. Advertisement Fears scored 20 or more points in four of his last five starts, including 31 points in a win against Mizzouri in the last game of the SEC's regular season. At 6-foot-4 and just 18 years old, NBA teams hope that the young guard can develop his offensive skills further at the NBA level. Fears has drawn interest from the Brooklyn Nets at the eight spot in the draft. However, their needs are far different than Washington's. The Wizards already have their backcourt spots filled with Jordan Poole, Coulibaly, Carrington, and Marcus Smart. The team's main needs in this draft are a backup big man and 3-and-D wings to come off the bench. Fears' defense is the weakest part of his game, and his size will prevent him from standing up to opposing perimeter players. @ Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Georgetown F Thomas Sorber The 18th pick in the draft presents the Wizards with a plethora of options. The depth of this class is substantial, with players like Sorber available in the second half of the first round. The forward spent his freshman season getting coaching from NBA legend Patrick Ewing at Georgetown. In 24 games, he averaged 14.5 points while shooting better than 50% from the field. Sorber projects as a force in the paint and on the glass on both ends of the floor. Advertisement Sorber's season ended on February 15 with a foot injury. While he recovered and will be at full health heading into his rookie season, the injury presents a risk. For big men as athletic as Sorber is, lower body injuries only become more frequent as they get older. While Washington is far from contention in the Eastern Conference, they need time for their young core to build chemistry alongside one another as the team's rebuild continues. In addition to his health, Sorber's biggest red flag can be tied to one number; 16.2%. That is what the forward shot from the 3-point line across his 37 attempts last season. In an NBA where almost every player needs to be able to shoot to stay on the floor, Sorber could struggle to get minutes early in his career, especially in Washington. Cedevita C Joan Beringer Beringer is one of ten international players projected to be picked sometime in the first round. However, he presents the biggest risk of all of them. He averaged around 18 minutes in his last professional season before declaring for the NBA Draft. However, he averaged just 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds across 47 games. Advertisement His lack of stats and the mystery around him have teams interested. Beringer worked out for the Nets alongside Noa Essengue, another top international prospect. The biggest difference between both players is the fact that Essengue brings much more to the offensive side of the ball than Beringer does. The Wizards need defenders, but Beringer's offensive shortcomings make him a situational player at best. He is as big a project as any player in this draft class. Washington could decide that his upside is worth the work it will take to develop his game though. If he can put together a competent offensive skillset, he fits well alongside fellow Frenchmen Coulibaly and Sarr. Related: Washington Wizards' 3 best options for No. 6 pick in 2025 NBA Draft Related: The only blockbuster NBA Draft trade Wizards must pursue
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43 minutes ago
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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.
