The Wizards are four days into training camp and four days away from their first preseason game. Let's take a look at what's been going on with the team so far.
The Wizards have adopted the Caps’ hard hat reward system.
A few years back, the Caps started awarding a red hard hat to whichever player worked the hardest. That player could then decide whether to keep the hat or award it to someone else.
It looks like the Wizards might be trying out some positive reinforcement this year and have borrowed the act of awarding symbolic head wear. Andray Blatche won the honors Monday and passed it on to JaVale McGee. John Wall has also been handed the white hard hat, but he decided to keep the hat for himself. So much for being the king of assists.
Nick Young has yet to report to camp.
Nick is a restricted free agent who, at the time of this post, has not made a deal with the Wizards. The team has extended him a $3.7 million qualifying offer that allows them to match any other team’s offer, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be returning to the team. Not having Nick would be a big loss on the court, but the real tragedy is that it would probably be the end of the Nick & JaVale show.
The Wizards acquired Ronny Turiaf in a three team trade.
Turiaf is a high energy guy who will add some toughness to the front court. Perhaps more importantly, he brings some maturity to a team that needs to grow up a little.
“I look at it from a positive where I’m with a team that wants me,” he told the Post. “This is business. Just like a player leaves teams or the team tries to get better. Why would I try to be offended by a team just trying to get better? This is life. There are people that are better than you. People that bring something different to the table. And it’s a matter of people going a different route. I still get my paycheck, last time I checked. So, it’s all good.”
Roger Mason is back.
DMV native and local favorite Roger Mason Jr., who played with the Wizards from 2006-2008, has been brought back on a one-year contract. He brings veteran experience, which will help with that whole maturity thing, and he’s a solid producer. Plus, he has cool hair.
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