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The Truth About the Wizards' Plan with Trae Young
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The fellas hop back on another episode to discuss what the plan is for Trae Young from the Washington Wizards front office, along with some other offseason roster decisions.
Welcome back to All Wizards Talk a podcast on the All Sports Talk Network. I'm one of your co-hosts Bryson Aikens. Joined alongside as always by Henry J. Brown and Joshua Valdez. And Summer League is about to wrap up. As we're recording this, the Wizards play in what? Five hours, six hours, something like that for their final Summer League game in the constellation bracket. It looked promising at first. They started off 2-0 when all of their main guys were playing of you know Trey Johnson, A.J. DeBonsa, Will Riley, those guys, Jameer Watkins. They were good. They were looking undefeated, and some people were talking like, man, maybe you go out there and try to win the Summer League Championship. Maybe, maybe you finally win something for Washington, DC, since it's been so, so, so long for the Wizards. But then they shut everyone down. And then they lost their next two games. Now they gotta play the Hawks and their uh final one. So we have some stuff to discuss about that regarding the two-way spot later on. But on the topic of the Hawks, we know we got Trey Young from them. All right. And there's been a lot of things. Oh, that's right.
SPEAKER_02I forgot about that.
SPEAKER_00Oh, we totally forgot about the Trey Young thing. But there's been a lot of talk about what exactly is Trey Young gonna do for the Wizards here. Um, and a lot of people are worried he's gonna be this ball dominant player that we saw in Atlanta. And we talked about him in the last pod uh just a little bit, but it's become more mentioned now lately, especially of Trey Young actually talking about these, you know, uh discussions of him being this ball dominant player and how it's not gonna work in DC, and him actually saying it's like, I don't know where this kind of narrative came from, but it's completely false. I can play off ball. I was curious what your guys' thoughts are on if that's actually something that he's gonna be trying to do a ton uh this season, or if it's kind of one of those things where it's like uh we're still getting the same Trey Young we saw in Atlanta.
SPEAKER_01I think the quote I saw was like, he's like, it's funny to me that everyone thinks I'm only this ball dominant guy, like I can do other things, and he's like working on off-ball stuff. I mean, I feel like it's understandable people think that because he has like the sixth highest usage rate ever. Um, but at the same time, he is a very talented basketball player that can do multiple things. I just think that we're gonna see him in a different context. You know what I mean? And again, I think it all just goes back to Atlanta, never had like big time pieces around him like that. Um, you know, so it made sense for him to be on the ball all the time. Now he's gonna play with Anthony Davis and uh AJ uh debon.
SPEAKER_00It's like we mentioned um last one where during that conference finals run he was on, his second offensive option was John Collins, which like John Collins is you know a good pick and roll partner to have, especially if you're one of the best lob passers of the league seen in Trey Young. But having him as like your you know backup in case Trey Young isn't on it that night, that's kind of setting your yourself up for failure in those regards.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it's like I can't have too much sympathy because I mean there's a reason why like he and DeJounte Murray flamed out, they couldn't really work together. Neither one could really show they can be a full-time off-ball guy. Not that Trey was gonna do that immediately because it was his team when DeJounte got there. Um, but one thing I respect in some of the athletes we have in DC is they they combine the confidence with the self-awareness. It's hard to do because if you sound too confident without the self-awareness, you sound like a lunatic. And if you're the other way around, you sound like you're like too in touch with their emotions. People don't respect your like killer instinct or something like that. But if Trey is talking like honestly, a lot like AJ was, AJ said when he got here, he was like the team challenged me to improve my off-ball off-ball defense, and he knows the three-point jumper isn't really there. Um and Trey sounds like he's talking the same way. He knows that he he he knew at the end of Media Day, uh at the end of season Media Day that he needed to improve as a defender. He knew he had the team that was gonna help him raise that kind of floor. And at least he's open about understanding, just like the team does, that there's other guys who need the ball for development and winning purposes. So I respect the fact that he is willing to show that he can turn a new leaf, which he has, you know, spent most of his time in DC doing. But I mean, I I I can't have again, can't have too much sympathy for this one. Like he he was the one who posted that usage rate. They didn't make him do that. Um, he's good on the ball, you know, he creates plays for teammates and and himself, but there are other ways to win.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. And it's like um uh Will mentioned when we were at that press conference the other day where he was like, when Trey Young is actually here and just that short sample size, it was the lowest usage rate he's ever posted up, but his highest assist percentage that he's had in his career, where it's like it shows like he can work off-ball. It's not one of these topics where it's like you think, okay, well, you know, Trey Young is only going to succeed as an on-ball guy, where the stats, and like I said, you know, it is a five-game sample size. We haven't gotten to see, you know, 30 games of this yet, and I'd like to see that going back. But those five games did show where it's like you don't need Trey Young having the ball every single possession.
SPEAKER_02You know, yeah, it's it's a great point. And you made it last episode when we were talking about Trey Young's potential assist per game he could average. And the idea isn't that the Wizards need it, it's like, will Trey Young be willing to do that for more than a five game sample size? Like it's cool that he's saying this, but I think a lot of us, myself included, are gonna need to see this over real sample size to believe that it's this this sustainable thing that can go on over the four-year contract.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's it'll be interesting. I think it's a product of like, okay, like he's always wanted a better team, right? You know, um, and it's like now you're getting one. So what comes with that is you can't be on the ball for like 20 seconds every possession. Sacrifice. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00And like you mentioned um in that press conference where it's like, you know, it's relief now, where it's like, you know, he doesn't have to be the guy every single possession. He has Anthony Davis where it's like if Trey Young is winded or if he's just having a bad game, he can, you know, take, you know, not necessarily backseat, but it's like, look, I'm not on, let me see if Anthony Davis can get something going. Or look, I'm not on let's have, let's see if AJ Devonta can get something going on ball here, coming down the court as a rookie. Let's see what he can do. And there's also other players. You still have Keyshawn George, you still have Will Riley off the bench who will probably handle majority of the point guard role off the bench, um, which is what we've seen a little bit so far in summer league as well. And so he has these options now where no matter what, he's on the court, he doesn't have to be the guy handling the ball. He doesn't have to be the guy taking it down, the guy starting the offense, the guy taking majority of the shots. He can take a backseat role if he's not on that night, or if someone else is doing better, to be like, hey, look, I know you're doing better than me. Come out here, have me take a backseat role. I'm here for a catch-and-shoot opportunity, or to help you out if needed if you're getting doubled now. And so it's gonna I think not only are we getting a different Trey Young, I think. Um, because like I said, I still think you're gonna see him adapt to this role a little bit better. I think you'll also see a better version of Trey Young where it's like he'll be a little bit more efficient because he's not being asked to take, you know, 22 shots a night. He might only be asked to take like 17 or 16 shots a night.
SPEAKER_02If he's trading that kind of usage for that raise and assist uh percent, then that of course that's gonna create better results. The guy I think we're gonna really be watching here, and this is gonna carry on through more off-season episodes, um, is Brian Keefe, because he really has his work cut out for him. And this goes beyond this quietly deep rotation because he has a lot of um, you know, nightly winning sort of situations to figure out with how he's gonna fit these guys together. And number one on that list is how you fit AJ with everyone, especially AJ. You have these guys who um both have good reasons to have the ball, whether they're the established franchise face in Trey or the new guy in AJ, who just got the number one pick. There's a reason that he should also be this sort of headliner. There's also the question of how you put Trey and AJ in the best position to succeed with the defenders around them. There's who you give the backup point guard minutes to. It's how you balance all these guys who have very good reasons to have the ball in their hands in these opportunities. And I think he hasn't had a whole lot of Keith that is, he hasn't had a whole lot of chance to spread his wings as this kind of diverse coach that has his own principles, he wants to bring to the table. And Trey Young is like the perfect chance for him to prove to everyone that you know he's not deserving of the most unpopular coach of the year, that that he wins every year in the athletic poll, um, and that he can deal with this puzzle.
SPEAKER_01I think the what stands out to me the most about the change in keeps role is like, okay, this whole time you've been like developing young players, right? That's cool. Now you gotta like manage star egos while still developing young players. Yeah. It's a totally different game. Like you're dealing with like a Hall of Fame player and someone who uh they want to consider a Hall of Fame player in Trey Young. I I know I saw Will uh Dawkins say that like they they think that Trey's gonna make the Hall of Fame. I think it was uh in Ben uh Stan Diggs article um on Substack where he was like, Yeah, we think Trey Young's gonna be a Hall of Fame caliber guy. And it's you know, I don't think he's there yet, you know. I think he's really good, but um, he could be, you know, if it things really work out for him.
SPEAKER_00But yeah, um, you know, it's just he's missing he's missing another year or two of accolades to kind of get there.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah, but I'm saying like they they got two guys who they think are like at that level, and then they've got the number one pick, right? And then they've got these other young guys that still need their touches and all that, right? Like we know that Keyshawn's gonna get on ball touches, right? Saar still needs his shots inside, you know. So um, it's like, how are you gonna manage all that while you're trying to win games now, you know, at the same time? So that is like I don't I want to give him the benefit of the doubt because we just he hasn't had the chance. So I feel like it's kind of like I he's kind of like a blank slate to me a little bit, you know. Yeah, I I just can't.
SPEAKER_00I think that's you know, yeah. Yeah, I think that was part of the issue this offseason as well, with a lot of people wanting a coaching change, they want to move on from Keefe. Another problem was like, who were you realistically getting this offseason for a coach? Because like, you know, it was Doc Rivers was a name thrown around for a bit where it's like, is that really who you want coming in who is a little bit past his prime regarding coaching? You know, like I knew Taylor Jenkins was another name thrown around where it's like, yeah, like that'd be interesting, but it's kind of like the same situation as Keith, where it's like he's good at developing young talent, but can he keep these star you know names in check a little bit? We don't really know about that. Um, it's just a lot of those names. I know Mike Malone was thrown around as well, but he went back to college and I felt like he was kind of done in the NBA for a little bit. And was Washington really the team he was coming back to? No. And so it was one of those things where it's like you just stick with Keith this year. You haven't seen him actually be given a chance to try and have put it together a winning team. He's been there to develop talent. Let's see what he can do in winning situations because I like his, you know, he has some good moments, sidelines, and uh out-of-bound plays where it's like it has developed into shots in some clutch situations. Uh-huh. But as we know, some of those clutch situations involve the third unit because they weren't trying to win that game. Let's see what he can do with the first unit in a game where they're down by three with two minutes left. Let's see what he can do with that, Kenny. Come away with some clutch wins, Kenny. Come away with a few playoff wins if they do get there, which they should this year, especially, you know, at least be in the play-in. And so let's see what he can do in these situations before we completely, you know, throw him to the side and be like, all right, let's look for in the next coach. And so it's just worth noting out of the way. We haven't seen it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we just haven't seen what Keefe can do. Exactly. And that's what they seem to think too. Even if you look past the OKC ties that uh the front office and the coach have, um, they've always been in on Keefe. They hired him, elevated him to the head coaching role like three months after uh their first season in charge. He's been in charge ever since. They said over uh the start of the offseason they still believe in him. They've had no reason to think that he can't rise into this winning coach role after being the developing coach. The players all seem to really like him. Um he just hasn't given the fan base a whole lot of um associating traits to really think of. When you think of Brian Keefe, most people think of like the draft lottery. That that's sort of what they've been gunning for the last couple years. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03So I don't know.
SPEAKER_02He has done interesting things. If you look at how he uses ball handlers together, uh he does have an idea of how to make sure that you're leveraging one guy's threat into another guy's open look. So I'm I'm looking forward to how he balances Trey with fill in the blank name.
SPEAKER_01The thing is, too, it's like, okay, like it's not only like, oh, we should like give him a chance just because he like stuck through the losing ears, it's also that he knows the young guys the best out of everything. Exactly. So it's like, okay, it's not just that like they feel bad for him because they haven't given him like a chance to win yet. It's because also like he's been there with like every step of the way with all these young guys, like intensely.
SPEAKER_00You have you have more known variables with Keith because he knows all of these young players down to a T. He knows what's gonna set them up for success the most, how to get the most out of him as well. Whereas if you bring in a new coach who has never worked with any of these players before, all of a sudden everything on the court is an unknown variable. You have no clue where it's how it's gonna work out. You might put together, you know, let's say they brought in Taylor Jenkins, for example, all right, bring him in. Sure, you could have a 45, you know, win season, but you could also have the same chance of having a 21 season because he knows nothing about these players and how to get the most out of them because he's never worked with them before. Where it's like it could go either way. Whereas with Keith, he at least knows what to do with guys like Alex Sarr, Trey Johnson, Keyshawn George, Bilal, a little bit of Trey as well with the short time they've been together. Where it's like he knows how to get the most out of them right now more than any other coach. Where, you know, I think the floor for him is a 30-win team, and I'd rather take that than a potential 21 season with a completely, you know, new coach who knows nothing about this team. And it's not just the fact that they associate the lottery with him. I mean, it's just one of those things where it's like when you're trying to lose, you can't really see the most out of a coach unless it's these end of you know year gains where the you know record doesn't matter at this point. You know where you're gonna be in the lottery. Let's see what the third string can do. Where it's like you see a little bit of that, and like I mentioned, I like his sideline and out-of- uh bound play calls. I like those. Like, I think he does a good job with those. It was the same situation with uh Dags and OKC, where it's like their first two seasons with him, they were not you know in the lottery forever. Like two lottery seasons where it's like, oh, they weren't really trying to win. And I remember the fan base wanted him fired because it's like we need a winning coach now that we're ready to win. Look at him now, NBA champion, USA assistant basketball coach. So it's like one of those things where it's like we don't know what Keith can do. He hasn't been giving a chance to put a together a winning team. Now he does. If he fails, then you can look for someone else. But let's say he goes out there and won 35 games, and it's becomes a situation where it's like, look, he showed improvement. That's double the win total from last season. Maybe, maybe he can actually be the guy for this team.
SPEAKER_02I wonder what like the threshold is, like what how many wins he'd have to hit for him to be considered safe enough from the fan base? Like, because 35 seems like that's probably around the lower bend of what that would be.
SPEAKER_01I I think like if if he if he gets like a 500 record, I I think he'll be okay.
SPEAKER_00He's definitely, I think he's I think I think 500 is no matter what, you're fine. You'll you know, you'll come back the next season at least. I feel like the 30 to 35 range is one of those where it's like it's a little bit iffy, but it's a great, it's a great area. It's a great area, but you also gotta keep in mind 34 wins is double what they had last year. And it would be, and like I can't remember their records from previous seasons, but I'm pretty sure 35 would be like their best record since like 2020. If I'm not mistaken. Sounds about right. It's yeah, and I'm looking it up right now to figure it out.
SPEAKER_02But it's one of those things where it's like in the 21 season, they won, I think, like 39 or 38 or something like that. And that would be the plus of a shorter season. Exactly. It was a 72-game season, I think. Yeah, I want to say it was 34 wins.
SPEAKER_00If they won 35, it would tie their best record since 2021. Um if they won 36, it would be their best record since 2017. So like I that's why that's why I say like 35. It's double your win total from last season. It's almost your best record in nearly a decade.
SPEAKER_02And if they get 50, it ties their best in half a century. Like I hear these numbers all the time, and it's just so it's it's never lost to me how crazy it is.
SPEAKER_00That's that's why I have that, you know, like 35. I would consider him safe because of like you just look at the previous records where it's like, you know, like, oh my goodness. Like their best record, um, like they almost got 50 wins in 2016. They had 49. We're almost there.
SPEAKER_02They loved getting 49. Yeah, they got 48 and 49 a few times 21st century.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but it's like, you know, uh, like it's just 35 and 47 was their last, you know, record that they were good and made the playoffs. Um not even that, they didn't even make the playoffs that year with a 35 and 47 record. They made it the year before with a 34 and 48 record.
SPEAKER_02That's fire. Or 34 and 38.
SPEAKER_002020 uh 20 and 21 season, they went 34 and 38, which like they were decent. And you know what's funny?
SPEAKER_02That team would have made the playoffs, but instead they uh no, they now. Well, they did they made the playoffs. In the 2020, not in the bubble season, because like they went to the I'm looking at it right now, Henry.
SPEAKER_00In the bubble season? Yes, 2020, 2021. They lost in the first round. They lost in the first round. I'm looking at it right now. To who, Philly? Yes. That's the 21 season. I'm talking about the bubble season.
SPEAKER_01No, Bryce, Bryson, the bubble was in 2020.
SPEAKER_02Oh my goodness, you're right. Yeah, because they brought I remember this, because they brought the team. Both for short in seasons for some reason. It was like Rui first option hoops in the bubble, and and they ended up losing enough games where they actually finished lower than the Hornets who didn't even go to the bubble. Yeah, Bryson, they were both short in season because of COVID.
SPEAKER_00Oh my goodness. That makes that's weird to me.
SPEAKER_01That just would be weird. Uh like the next season, it was still like COVID and stuff.
SPEAKER_02Like they're gonna be like, Yeah, they had to start it in like uh like October really fast after the season ended, or even maybe even later.
SPEAKER_00Man, that was so long ago. Yeah. That was oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_01Oh, but yeah, like they need they need like a non-COVID playoff birth. Like that, that would change things. That would be good. Because you you see how confusing that just was? Like that that's like like no one even remembers that, you know what I mean? No, like they do. I do. Well, I mean, people remember it because it was like Rust and it was fun.
SPEAKER_02It's Russ, that's a thing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but but what I'm saying is that it's not something that's like going in the rafters, you know what I mean? Like it's not like John Wall, game six, uh, against the Celtics.
SPEAKER_02You know, if the Wizards were like a successful franchise or even you know won multiple games in that series, then it'd be more more better remembered. But that team persevered. They had some tough times. Like they really they really powered through some some COVID stuff. Uh Ruff was awesome. Rookie Denny uh was was was fascinating. That was about that was really the end of the road for Davis Berton's. I know he didn't get traded until the next season, but um there was so much going on that season. That was a crazy freaking season. Robin Lopez, regular minutes, uh Alex Len, third string, howlnetto, ish Smith. That was that was a wild team. That was a wild ride. Ish Smith, shout out to Ish, man, on the coaching stage. Ish was good to play. The numbers don't show up, but Ish was ready for the moment.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Ish was always that guy you kind of wanted on your team. Journeyman. He he could provide you solid minutes off the bench. But I mean, like, just going back to what we were saying, I mean, it's like 35 wins gives you ties your record from 2021, 2022. Which is kind of crazy to think about. That's what I'm doing.
SPEAKER_02And that team's so underperformed. I've gone on this rant almost every podcast we've done. That team left so much on the table.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and so do that, you double your wins, you have the, you know, you tie your record from 2021, 2022, which is, you know, what, almost six years now? Almost like it's one of those things, like you look at it, it would be, yeah, six years.
SPEAKER_01They need to win so bad, man. They need to win so bad. It's crazy. Like step four would mean a lot.
SPEAKER_00But then you get 40 wins, you join the 2016 to 2018 teams where it's like, okay, where it's like a little bit better, but it's like all the ground in the in these parts.
SPEAKER_01And see, but that that'll be the first season of AJ. You're already tying like the back then. You know what I'm saying? Like, I just come on.
SPEAKER_00I I think I think the bar for Keefe should be double your win total from last year. Go from 17 to 34, and you're definitely in you know, a little bit of a safer territory. If you get 40 plus, I think you have secured, like, hey, you're the head coach for another season or two.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, because the East is like not bad. There's like a lot of teams that are gonna be like mid at worst.
SPEAKER_01It's definitely gotten better, but also I think it depends on injuries. Like, if the team's healthy, I think they should win more than 34, to be honest with you.
SPEAKER_00Yes. In a perfect world, if injuries never happen, this team should be like a 43-win team.
SPEAKER_02We gotta be careful. This is we are we are now covering an Anthony Davis-led team. Which is why I said in a perfect world where no injuries are the Lakers say this so many for for like That's why I said in a perfect world, Henry.
SPEAKER_00We don't live in a perfect world. We know this.
SPEAKER_01Wait, wait, one second. Did you guys see the 80s that he's playing all 82 games? Oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_00I did not see that, but he's not doing that.
SPEAKER_02That's awesome. Hey, hey, he's got his eyes in the prize, I respect it.
SPEAKER_00So the if he plays all 82, I will shave my head on the pod. If like oh, that'd be such good content. If he played all 82, I would I would go completely bold.
SPEAKER_01I no, it was he he was like uh at an event or some like The Fanatics Fest, right? Yeah. Talking to this kid, and and you know, they talk about whatever. You know, obviously we know that's not happening, but like, you know, but then he was like, Yeah, I'm gonna play, I'm gonna play all, you know, or it's like I'm trying to play all 82, like let's go.
SPEAKER_02It's a good goal because in the last year and a half he's played 29 total games. That's that's what he finished with during his Dallas tenure. So give me 45. I mean he's directly wrapped it up.
SPEAKER_00Just give me 45 and I'll be happy. Because you should have more than 45. No, give me 45, I'll be happy with the game. Yeah, which I'm fine with. I'm fine with because you should you should win at least half your games with NC Davis. You you should win at least half of them with Anthony Davis.
SPEAKER_01He makes this team so different, it's crazy. Like when he's on the floor. I want more than 45. I'm sorry.
SPEAKER_00Like I mean, I want more than 45 too. I'm just saying, give me at least 45. Give me at least 45. You should at least be able to win half those. That's 22 or 23 wins. If you can scrape away another 10 to 15 wins without him playing, which you should be able to do with this roster, that's a playoff team. That's why I'm saying give me 45, win half those games, and then you know, scrape away another 10 to 15 wins throughout the rest of the season. You know, you you're you're in the mix for the play.
SPEAKER_01It's so funny that Bryson is like hoping for 45. Like, that's crazy.
SPEAKER_00I'm just trying to be realistic, Clear. I'm trying to be realistic. He can play more than 45 if he doesn't have some games.
SPEAKER_02He could. He could. You don't have to be and your hopes you don't have to be realistic. That's the point. That's why it's called a hope.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I'm just like, I think like 60 would be like really good. But like if it's like 52. That's what I'd hope for. I'd hope for, you know, 65, meeting like the league minimum. Right. But like if he gays like 52 games, I think that's solid. Because like like Brayson said, they should win a lot of those.
SPEAKER_00You know, I'm just I'm I'm not trying to like get hopes up or anything because like I I because part of it is there are so many people that think this is a bona fide playoff team. I've people say like this is a top four team in the East roster, which like if they're healthy, it can be if if they're healthy. But to do to be a top four team in the East, you need Anthony Davis playing like 70 games, which like let's be honest, that ain't happening. That's just it's not happening. You also need Trey Young to play every game, which also probably ain't happening. Yeah. Like it's just it's just one of those things like injuries are gonna kill this team. I'm just trying to be honest here, trying not to get hopes up and be like, oh my goodness, Anthony Davis is gonna be the savior of this basketball team. When it's like we'll probably get 45 games out of him, and we should be happy with that.
SPEAKER_01The thing we gotta think about too is Sarr. He's in a boot right now. Yeah, so he's got a big thing.
SPEAKER_00He is, but I remember the report. I remember the report said he should be good by um.
SPEAKER_01No, he he will, but you know, if just in case he tweaks him, you know, or something like that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Like just the last time he played above 50 games was 2023. A D? That's late. Or 2020, uh, 2024, 2020. Yeah, two.
SPEAKER_02He had a healthy stretch there with that that Lakers revival.
unknownRight.
SPEAKER_0076 games in that uh final Lakers season before he got traded.
SPEAKER_01I remember when he played like the whole season, that was lit. Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00But like in the past, you know, like two seasons, he hasn't even played a you know, a complete season technically.
SPEAKER_02Like it's like Yeah, the Dallas, the Dallas time was weird. He actually do go Yeah, he um I I don't know. I don't know. I the Dallas thing was weird. I don't know if we have a whole lot to really it's like you know how we talked about the Trey Young five-game sample size. Like the Dallas thing has left us like nothing to analyze. It was it was so different from anything he's done in his career.
SPEAKER_01You know, you know, the the thing I remember most from his Dallas tenure was them losing to the Wizards. Uh, and uh Keyshawn went crazy that game. I was there.
SPEAKER_00That was a great game.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, he a D actually talked about that, I think, during his uh X-A interview. He's like, Yeah, Keyshawn killed us that day. Like, that's when I was like, dang, this this team was a good one. What happened?
SPEAKER_00Is that a season high? Keyson? I think he had 35, right?
SPEAKER_01Let me turn that back. Let me check. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Like I I know he balled out because he also I think went like seven for ten from three, which is absurd. Like he killed it from three, and like his first five games, he was shooting, I think, like 70% from the corners.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Keyshawn uh he hit a career high 34 points uh against Dallas that that game. Wow. Jesus. Yeah, 117 and 107 victory.
SPEAKER_02You should have heard the things Bryce was saying on the podcast after that game.
SPEAKER_01Really? Oh my god.
SPEAKER_02He also had his he also had a uh 11 rebounds and knocked down seven threes. You were already like ready to like frame the all-star jersey that was coming.
SPEAKER_00Yes, I was.
SPEAKER_02It was it was a fantastic performance. It was really that was good. He went crazy. I'm gonna clip that from TikTok later. That was a good game.
SPEAKER_00But it's just there's so much like just hypotheticals on this team where it's like that. I think that's the problem when we're trying to like set our expectations of like, man, like you know, if if Anthony Davis does play 65, 70 games, this is a bona fide playoff team. I won't I won't deny that. All right. What are the odds he plays 65 games though?
SPEAKER_01I'll give it 30%.
SPEAKER_00I'd give it like 20. I'd give it like 15 that he actually does that. 15 to 20. I just feel like the more realistic expectation is 45 to 50 and aim to win half those games, because then you can scrape away, you know, a random 15, you know, 15 more wins without him.
SPEAKER_01It's not a bad formula, you know, because you can still get in the high 30s when you're gonna be able to do that.
SPEAKER_00Because yeah, let's let's say he plays 50 games, you win half of them, 25. Scrape away another 15 without him, that's 40 wins. That should be that that should put you in the play-in. And if it doesn't, that means the East was just insanely good that year. Right. Which, like, even if they don't make the playoffs with 40 wins, that will be your best team since 2017. Yeah. Like that is that is good improvement, even if they didn't make the playoffs with that record. So it's just the key thing is I'm not necessarily you know looking at like if they make the playoffs because you could have an Easter conference where 45 wins doesn't get you in the playoffs. Uh you could.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that was last year. That was last season that happened. Like every team that that was in the playoffs had at least 40 odd games one.
SPEAKER_00So like it was it was one of those things where it's like, you know, it's not the East from two, three years ago where you can be a 34 win and still be in the playoffs. It is it is an East now where if you realistically want a good shot to get in, you need 45 wins. And so, and that's just you know, that's gonna be tough to do. Especially if, and this is a big if, because it's most likely gonna happen if you have injuries with Anthony Davis.
SPEAKER_01I I I I think 40 will still get them like eighth or ninth, something like that. I agree, they'll be in the playoffs. It'll just be tough.
SPEAKER_00Uh it'll like like I said, it's just gonna be tough. It's a much better Eastern conference than we're used to.
SPEAKER_01It is, it is, yeah. It's it's definitely like we like we gotta like remember that it's gonna be better because it's uh it's usually not that good.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, it's usually a weak conference, the weaker one. The East might be a tougher conference to like make a playoffs in than the West this year, which is crazy to say from the past you know six years. Yeah, our whole lives, you could you could extend it that far.
SPEAKER_02Like this is how it's been for the 21st century.
SPEAKER_01LeBron even said during his like one of his like interviews recently, he was like, Yeah, this is the first time in a while like the East will be talked about like on a higher level, you know, like in some ways.
SPEAKER_00It's always kind of been the joke where like you know one of the top two teams is gonna win it. You've always known that, where it's like it's gonna be like you know, Celtics are gonna be at the top, then whoever is that second or third team that year will be in that mix as well.
SPEAKER_02Hey, Nick for the three seed.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. And so it's just one of those things where it's like the East has always just been a top-loaded conference where it's like the you know, five through ten guys can't make a little bit, you know, of noise, where in the West, the five through ten guys have always been able to make some noise because they're so evenly balanced out there. But now it's now it's completely different, and we still have a roster spot to fill. Technically, two, which we can talk about that third two-way spot because we've seen a lot in summer league to kind of determine who should get that. But that last roster spot is I don't know. I I don't know what to do with it at this point because I like where the team is at. It's just you kind of have it, you don't have to use it. You don't you don't have to have 15 players in roster, you only need 14.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, usually teams are gonna do that if they're trying to duck the tax, like they'll just convert someone to a full contract off a two-way half through the season. Maybe. Um, I don't think the Wizards are really thinking like that. They're already pretty far under um the the aprons. But I think they're 12 mil under right now.
SPEAKER_00I think they're 12 mil under, something like that. Yeah, like they're they're there's maybe maybe maybe a little bit less. Um I think and and it wouldn't be outside of the Wizards game plan and not use what they have.
SPEAKER_02I I don't think they ever use their mid-level uh mid-level exception. Yeah, yeah, they still have it. Yeah. So I don't know. I I wouldn't be shocked. I think they're gonna fill it. Um, because last year I checked. They had to waive Gill from his last contract, Anthony Gill, that is, um, last summer. They didn't re-sign him until August 7th. So they're probably just gonna keep waiting. Maybe they're on the same schedule. They're not in a rush, is how I see it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. They have they have 10 mil left, and so it's like, you know, you could use it if you want to. Or you could just it doesn't hurt.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_00It literally doesn't hurt. No, it does, it doesn't hurt to do that where it's like you're still staying under the luxury tax, you don't have to pay the tax penalties whatsoever. You're fine. All right. Which I don't think Ted wants to pay it this season, nor should he, because this team, you know, like what's the point of paying the tax, you know, one extra season because you try to make instead of being, you know, the ninth seed in the plane, you try to be the sixth seed in the playoffs.
SPEAKER_02No, yeah, looking aside the rotation we already talked about, not a whole lot of extra 15th man minutes to go around.
SPEAKER_00And there's anyone out there.
SPEAKER_02I think, you know, we've all been talking about Gail as like the the clearest choice for the guy they'd bring back, given what he means to lock a room in the city. Um, but at that just so we talk about other things besides that, are there any other guys you consider for that 15th spot like seriously as some kind of fringe veteran role who's not a threat to play? Like who what other names are really out there? And we're not we already talked about the Russ angle. Like, we don't need to do any more Westbrook talk.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I just don't care. Like, it's like they just got Middleton. Like, they're good.
SPEAKER_02Like who's sort of like a super version of that where he actually can play, but he can't play.
SPEAKER_01He can actually play and he's the super vet, so whatever. Like, just get Gil, man. I I just there there's no one else to get, honestly.
SPEAKER_00Like there really, there really isn't.
SPEAKER_01Kevin Love, is that is that worth a thought for any of you guys?
SPEAKER_00No, it's not even worth a thought for me.
SPEAKER_01No, I listen, Kevin Love's amazing. He he doesn't need to be in DC, though. It's fine. That would be that'll be weird.
SPEAKER_00Like, I'm just looking at it. There's not really like Bismac Biombo. Like, if you want to talk about a veteran that's not gonna play.
SPEAKER_02I don't think they need any more bigs.
SPEAKER_01Why would you get him over AG though? You know what I mean? It's like you you can't make a case for any of these people over Infinite Guild for this team. Long as tenured wizard. Right. Like, if you we're talking about any other team, maybe, but not this team.
SPEAKER_00There is one guy out there who had just had a down year. Bruce Brown Jr.
SPEAKER_02We're not Gary Trent, he already got picked up.
SPEAKER_00Bruce Brown.
SPEAKER_02It's not bad. It's not bad, but it's like you're just the the minute log jam is only gonna get more comments.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's like, okay, if you're getting like a serious player, it's like, but it's like there's too many players. Where's he gonna get minutes? Yeah, it's that's too many.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, that I'm just I'm saying that where it's like he's out there, I feel like he's gone under the radar, but it's like, shoot, like I mean, he's not bad. He had he had a little bit of a down year, I feel like, in Denver.
SPEAKER_02No, we're not gonna argue he's good, it's it's just a matter of fit.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but again, it's like if the guy's a solid player, it's like then you have to think about the rotation and stuff, and it's just too much, you know? Like, especially if it's if it's the last guy on the roster, you know?
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_00Or you just sign him, trade him for draft capital later on to a team that wants them.
SPEAKER_01How much more capital do they need? You know, I mean, what are they gonna get like two?
SPEAKER_00It doesn't hurt to have more seconds. Like, I feel like right now, with seconds, with how you know, like using them in some of these trades that you know teams have done so far, it doesn't hurt to have them.
SPEAKER_01It never does, but you know, I think that would have hurt the rotation.
SPEAKER_00It's just it's just an infinite money glitch, is all it is, where it's like you just you know, you trade for two seconds, you trade those seconds in you know the current draft to get three seconds instead, and then all of a sudden those three seconds turn into four. It's just like you keep on building up capital where eventually you pile up enough seconds to trade back into the first or package them with a player to get someone else.
SPEAKER_02It's a good money glitch, but as as Josh was good to remind me at the start of the offseason, um, the Wizards are maybe better off focusing on like, you know, actually putting a good team on the floor than just doing like the cool organizational uh pulling a rabbit out of a hat gimmick. You know, it doesn't hurt, but it it makes you wonder, you know, they're gonna have to choose keep you know improving you know the asset game, keep uh spinning uh you know value out of out of where there wasn't value, or actually like you know, prioritize the rotation. Yeah, it's time to win games, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, I get that. It's just man, it's it it's it's just kind of tough looking at players that actually you know would do something for this team with that last roster spot, which I know it sounds like really bad of me to say. It's just there's no one out there that is instantly challenging, you know, oh they come in, they're the eighth man off the bench, you know, like they're the eighth guy. All right, there's no one like that out there. It's like, yeah, you come in, you're the 13th guy, maybe you get minutes, maybe you don't. We don't know.
SPEAKER_01Well, there's a reason why they're still out there, you know?
SPEAKER_00Like it's like it's just uh like and it's not like they're getting LeBron, let's be honest here. It's not like they're getting LeBron. Like it's not like that's fine, imagine. Well, like you bring in LeBron, I mean he starts.
SPEAKER_01Like I know, I know. Yeah, it should be funny.
SPEAKER_00But it's just like like I'm just looking at it, it's like there's just no one really out there. And if we're talking about, you know, you know, end-up inch guys who are gonna be more of a veteran, you know, presence on this team, it's Anthony Gill, Dwight Powell, like Kevin Love. It's just there's not really not really anything out there.
SPEAKER_02Like it's just in a way, I think the our conversation about the third two-way spot I think is more interesting. Just because that seems more not necessarily wide I I guess it is wide open because you know the 15th spot seems sort of open and shut. You need a fuzzy vet. But for if we're talking about the 13th man or uh 18th man, there are there are some cases that are being made right now in the summer league.
SPEAKER_00There are a few, and we we have to talk about the guy that everyone was saying it was going to get it before Summer League started, Julian Reese. And I'm just gonna go in and say it. I've been very disappointed with what I've seen from him.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And there's a reason why people were hot on it. They signed into a two-year contract last year, so it sort of seemed like the road was open for him to show, you know, he had some cool games.
SPEAKER_00It was wide open for him to get that two-way contract here. All he had to do was go out there and be, you know. The thing was, he needed to start. Something had to have gone on in training camp for him to not start over these guys that have not been in the Wizards organization at all.
SPEAKER_02I wondered about that, but I actually I don't know because they just drafted Felix uh for reference. You know, that means he means more to the organization now than Reese, who wasn't drafted. Um, and though Juju did have some good games uh down the stretch of last season, the level of competition he was against wasn't that different than what he's doing at Summer League right now. That's my thing. He was playing, it's not like he was doing this against um, you know, like the Twin Towers in San Antonio.
SPEAKER_00Like he was actually like he was playing better in the regular season and the season. I know like there are some teams that were putting out, you know, G-League guys that were on two-way contracts or signed with a quick 10-day, you know, like he was playing against some of those guys. But he was doing better, you know, during the regular season than he is in summer league right now. And it's just it's been very disappointing to see that. I expected a lot more from him. I expected him to go out there, you know, and you know, first game he didn't start. They had Ok Para start over him, which like I can kind of get they put out a monster roster of AJ, Jameer, Riley, Trey Johnson, and Ok Para out there for the Utah Jazz game, which like it's hard to start over any one of those guys. But then after that, when guys get shut down and injuries, the fact that he couldn't come in and either start, you know, as you know, the four and you run double big, especially with this lineup, you know, the regular season, you're gonna want to run a lot of double big with the guys you have. It's the fact that he couldn't, you know, get a starting spot through that. It was kind of like it's concerning to see that.
SPEAKER_02It's been more tentative, the approach, because we all liked him for the rebounding. He showed up, and there was one thing he wanted to do in the entry games. It was even though he's only like six foot nine, he was just gonna get all the boards over the other G Leaguers. And that hasn't really been there. And I think, uh spoiler, he's still who I think is gonna get the third um two-way spot, but I think he would only do it through that rebounding angle. That's his avenue because Akpara isn't really that kind of horse. He's more just built on the defense, you know, recovering, blocking the occasional shot, finishing the tray young oop. Um, that's not the rebounding isn't really his game. I think if Reese were as wiz is going to make it back to the Wizards locker room, then it's probably just by committing himself fully to just rapping.
SPEAKER_00He didn't even play in the game against the Clippers. I don't even know if he's playing tonight. Like right now, this is his summer league. Alright. In 21 minutes against the Jazz, he had six points and four rebounds, and it was a minus fourteen.
SPEAKER_02Can you give us his uh shooting?
SPEAKER_00Uh I can real quick. Um, just with quick math in my head, because they rarely track the stats. Ah, yes. You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_02Classic, yep.
SPEAKER_00He is two of five from the field in summer league. He has taken five shots. Wow!
SPEAKER_01That's crazy.
SPEAKER_02That's insane. Oh my gosh.
SPEAKER_01Wait, you say you say he scored six points in the first game? Yeah. But he's only taken two shots in the free road.
SPEAKER_00Free throws, yeah. He's five of ten from the free throw line. Wow. Okay. It's like he just he hasn't like he's he's looked scared, is the best way I can describe it. He is he has looked scared. He has looked scared to actually try and do anything out there when this was his moment to go out there and be confident and show off, like, yeah, I am the guy for this last two-way spot, and potentially maybe even down the line, a regular roster spot if he can keep on showing out. He just he hasn't done that, and it's been very disappointing because I expect more from him.
SPEAKER_01I yeah, I I just think people honestly like were a little too excited after last season. Um like I don't, you know, no offense to them. I mean, I I just you know he's a guy that they got in in March or whatever, you know, it's for the end of the season. It was the it was it was the tank mega tank portion. He he put up some num some numbers in tank games, you know, he'd show that he could rebound the ball, but other than that, it just wasn't much going on in the first place, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_00And that's the thing, he hasn't even really shown he can rebound in summer league either. I mean, he is averaging right now looking at it, 4.6 rebounds a game.
SPEAKER_02How many minutes?
SPEAKER_00Uh averaging around 15 minutes a game. Yeah, not very special.
SPEAKER_02It's like I I don't I don't know if I'd go so far as to say like that he looks like scared. I think he's he's used to playing a really specific kind of role, and I don't think he's really meant to do that much scoring on his own. I don't think he wants to either. The rebounding you can't really you can't really excuse away. That that's where he's supposed to be making.
SPEAKER_00That's where he's supposed to be thriving, and Okara has looked better rebounding than him.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, which is funny because Felix is is not the cleanest rebounder.
SPEAKER_00Like he's not the cleanest rebounder, he's he's there to be a defensive threat. That's what he's there to be. And he's outperforming Julian Reese in these categories. Reese should be already be better in, that he's known to be better at. And he just hasn't. It's and like I said, that's why it's been disappointing. It's because we know he's supposed to be a rebounder, he hasn't really shown that off in summer league.
SPEAKER_02So who have you liked more if you're talking about a guy you like to replace that third two-way spot alongside?
SPEAKER_00There are three guys I'm looking at. I really like Beekman. I've I really like Beekman. I've loved the scoring ability of Livingston, everything else. I'm kind of iffy on, but I wouldn't, you know, like and I don't even know if he can get a two-way spot. I'd have to look at that. Um, but I have like Livingston more. I just I just don't know if he's played two or three seasons.
SPEAKER_02I think he's played three seasons. I'm gonna look it up.
SPEAKER_00If so, then he's not even on there. And then Trimble, the guy that, you know, like I've liked Trimble as well this uh so far in summer league.
SPEAKER_01So no uh Kedari Richmond. Yeah, I was gonna say, what about Kadari?
SPEAKER_00Kudari's been nice. I'd also throw him in there. Um I just I oh how many how many seasons?
SPEAKER_02Livingston's played three seasons, by the way. Sorry to interrupt.
SPEAKER_00Livingston, yeah. I I couldn't remember if he had or not.
SPEAKER_02Livingston's probably a uh a guy for the G League. And and yeah, I'm not sure I want like a guy who's just there to score over. I mean, the case for Beekman. The case for Beekman is we talked earlier. I mean, I I mean I know I was really excited about it, the idea of having like a defensive-minded, like a real guard in that backcourt room. And the guy has multiple defensive defensive player of the year awards from his time in Virginia, and he's and he's looked apart. The jump shot um doesn't look clean right now, um, but he's hit enough of them, or at least he did alongside uh AJ in those early games. So I see the case for that defense. And um Richmond is a similar thing, physical, but the the scoring with those those two guys just is not there at the NFL level. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Trimble, I've just I've really liked Trimble so far. We're gonna say just I oh sorry.
SPEAKER_01I was just saying Kadari just doesn't have the shot. Like, you know, but that's the thing. Like, it's like strength wise, you know, like like defense, like physical. So it's all there if he had a shot, you know. It's just hard.
SPEAKER_02Like, yeah, Bryson, what's what's your what's your Trimble pitch?
SPEAKER_00He like my thing with Trimble is he's a good offensive player. He can go out there, give you a bucket. It's not like he's a cone on defense either. He's been playing well on defense. I really like that. He's averaging uh, I think it's like 1.8 steals a game right now in summer league, which is nothing to you know laugh at to kind of throw to the side. He can facilitate decently, he can rebound if needed. He's a jack of all trades. I just really like what I've seen from him so far. And right now I am leaning towards him getting the last two-way spot because he has shown, like, hey, I can do everything at a good level, but he still has room to grow. And Kedari, I get worried about his offense. I know he's a great defensive player. I get worried about the offense at times. Whereas with Trimble, I know, okay, he can be a good perimeter defender. All right, he already is showing that he can hang in there and do well defensively. His offense is just a little bit more refined than Kedari is right now, and that's why I have Trimble kind of at my one spot for that last two ways.
SPEAKER_02Kidari is also like 25 years old, and jump shots are already sort of hard to get younger prospects.
SPEAKER_00So is Kidari Richmond. He's 25. Yeah. That's what you said. No, you said Trimble. Oh, did I really? Oh, it's not my Kidari, my bad. And so, but like that's my thing where it's like, you know, Trimble, I have just liked a little bit more from what I have. In summer league from him over the other guys that are eligible for that two-way spot.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, I to me it's like Trimble or uh B uh Beakman are the two that you know the you you can go either way, I I wouldn't mind it, you know. No. Um because I think they've they've each shown enough on both ends that there's some juice there, you know. Whereas like like Bryson said, Kadari, I feel like is still a G League guy just because he's like ultra defensive. I agree. And uh honestly, same with uh like Julian Reese, I would say just because he did so well last season, I would still let him run in the G League.
SPEAKER_02You know, yeah, if we're voting, I would say Reese and Beekman are my my personal finalists.
SPEAKER_00Reese Reese wait Julian Reese is your personal finalist for two way?
SPEAKER_02Oh, I'm sorry, there's two Reese's. Yes, yeah, yeah. Um I said Reese and Beekman, that's funny. Um Julian Reese and Reese Beekman are are my personal finalists. For the last two way? Yes.
SPEAKER_01So so you would still consider Julian to be the last two way?
SPEAKER_02He's one of my finalists, I said. Like I think I I think I did it didn't.
SPEAKER_00Over Trimble? Over Trimble and Kadari?
SPEAKER_02I want that's the thing. I don't even have him as a finalist. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. I think I think last season did mean some um it didn't mean that much where it where he was worth some of the hype he was getting over the summer. But I wanna I would I like the idea of if you have all these young bigs, it can all do different things. And I think the idealized Reese is just an aggressive guy who just gets rebounded. And I think there's use for that kind of really significant. Yeah, no, no, I understand what you're saying, but I'm saying like if I'm if I'm I'm saying last season I am valuing a little bit. I think I think it's enough for the G League. I just don't think it's enough.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. We're talking about the big with the go-go. I'm fine.
SPEAKER_02We're talking about a third two-way spot here. I don't think anyone's really gonna totally blow me away with this kind of untapped potential, but I I am curious about this.
SPEAKER_00How much of this is also playing the fact he's a Maryland guy?
SPEAKER_02That is not he is a very different player than he was in Maryland. I he he's he's changed a lot. I don't remember him being this rebounding.
SPEAKER_00He has he he's gotten better since that time, but I'm saying, like, is any of this kind of lingering because you know he's he's from Maryland?
SPEAKER_02No. No. No, I was I was lucky enough to uh report on Maryland that time, and um um he he wasn't this kind of specific role player. Um he he was more like this featured member of the offense and it didn't always work. And I think I just sort of always respect guys who realize they need to do one thing well to stick around and they do that. And I I think he's done a good job of doing that, even though it hasn't been reflected recently. And I and I said earlier, I I like the idea if you have these young bigs. Uh, they're all way down the line of Vuksevich, Julian Reese, and uh Felix of these guys who can all do different things. So I like that you have a guy for each utility should you need to call him up.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I just I have not seen what I've needed a seen from him to even have him considered a finalist for that final two-way. He has looked scared offensively, like it just it looks like he's afraid to mess up, and you can't have that with the player. You can't have a player who looks afraid that one mistake's gonna send them to the bench, and he keeps making these mistakes, and it is leading him to going to the bench because he is playing afraid out there. He's afraid of messing up because I think some of it is he knows he has these eyes on him. I think that's part of it. But if that's what he's doing right now, I mean like imagine if he does, you know, show enough to get a roster spot and he plays a little bit and he just completes, you know, like completely messes up every single time because he's afraid of all these eyes on him. That's what I am seeing. Whereas with other guys, Trimble, Beekman, Kidari, where it's like they're playing loose, they're playing, you know, how they are known to play, which has led to me wanting to give them the last two-way spot over Julian Reese.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, more power. I'm not going to war for any of these guys. Um, I I think they can all give their own different contributions. Um, but there's a reason that this is a conversation at this point in the offseason.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I think like, you know, to Bryce's point, like just let let let Julian just get some run in the G and get his confidence back up.
SPEAKER_02That's what that's what two-ways are for. Like, you're not supposed to start off the season actually, you know, playing minutes.
SPEAKER_01Well, what I'm saying is instead of having him on a two-way, yeah, like a regular G League contract. Just a G League contract.
SPEAKER_02I I don't have a super super strong preference here. Um, I I I see the vision of just letting him just get comfy again. That's definitely better than what we've got in summer league so far.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and then this also leads to, you know, you just have this last roster spot open. You don't need to sign anyone. Let's say Oak Para does very well on his two-way or Jameer gets promoted again. Yeah, this final two-way spot open. And then, you know, you promote Reese to that two-way spot if he has performed, or you promote Kedari to this two-way spot if he really has performed. I just I think looking at what players have done so far, I think Trimble is getting that last two-way spot. I I think it would be him. And then you have Kedari and Reese play in the G on a G League contract. Maybe another team picks him up. If so, good for them. That's what the G League is there for. For you get picked up by other teams on two-way deals or standard contracts. We see that happen a ton. And so it's it's just one of those things where they have not like he has not shown what I've needed to see for him to get that final two-way. Not even close.
SPEAKER_01Like I agree.
SPEAKER_00And I know, I know that sounds very rude of me to say. It's just I I I just expected more from him. Uh after what we saw, I expected more. I expected him to come in, be a starter during summer league. I expected him to average close to 10 rebounds a game. He isn't even close to that. And so it's just it's been disappointing. So, but any final words from you guys?
SPEAKER_02Um, I don't think we should really be staying by our phones to check for notifications. I think the franchise sees two months of not a lot of activity in the NBA world ahead of them. And these debates that we're having aren't super important to uh the mission ahead of actually, you know, balancing the the overall development with the winning formula. So I don't think we're gonna have any burning updates anytime soon, is what I'm trying to say.
SPEAKER_00All right. Well, thank you guys for tuning in as always. We'll see you guys in the next one. Peace.