Welcome to “Wizards and Whatnot,” a new weekly column here on Bullets Forever where I recap the week’s biggest stories around the NBA and check in on the Washington Wizards.
The Trae Young era in Atlanta was mercifully put to rest on Wednesday when the four-time All-Star was flipped to the Wizards in exchange for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. No picks were involved in the transaction.
The Wizards have been warming up a little bit as of late. They’re 5-3 in their last 8 and 7-6 in their last 13 — a welcome break from the cascade of losses that has been the entire 2020s decade up to this point.
Now they have Young, who, in my opinion, is a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Either Young works out in Washington, or he is an expiring contract next season who the Wizards can trade or buy out. For my full thoughts on the trade, [see here](/washington-wizards-analysis-players/67298/trae-young-washington-wizards-nba-trade-pros-cons-analysis).
It’s official: the San Antonio Spurs are here. After downing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder three times last month and quieting all the talk about OKC breaking the 73-win Warriors’ record, the Spurs are officially championship contenders once again.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle has blossomed into an All-Star caliber player, De’Aaron Fox looks every bit as good as he did in his best years in Sacramento, 19-year-old Dylan Harper is already dramatically overqualified for his supporting role, and even old man Harrison Barnes is having one of the best seasons of his career.
And, of course, there is nothing unique or novel I can say about Victor Wembanyama anymore. He might actually be the best basketball player I’ve ever watched. The warning signs have been flashing since 2023: “Win your championships before Wemby takes control.” It might already be Wemby’s league.
The OKC Thunder lost their first game to an Eastern Conference team this season against none other than the powerhouse… Charlotte Hornets?
The Hornets have been farting around the lottery since I was in seventh grade, and they are still no good, so them downing the mighty OKC Thunder is one of the craziest results I have seen in an NBA game in quite some time. OKC is looking mighty mortal — they’ve lost two of their last three and are only 2.5 games up on the Detroit Pistons for the NBA’s best record. Could the Spurs threaten them in the West?
Check back next Friday for the second edition of my new column!
See More:
* [Washington Wizards Team Analysis](/washington-wizards-team-analysis)