Alex Sarr's NBA Debut Disheartens Fans After Wizards Blowout Loss vs. Tatum, Celtics
Oct 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Alex Sarr failed to surpass expectations in his NBA debut.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft struggled offensively as the Washington Wizards fell to the Boston Celtics by the final score of 122-102.
Sarr finished with two points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes on the floor. He shot 1-7 from the field, missing all five of his attempts from behind the arc.
While it's worth noting that Sarr was facing off against the reigning champions who finished with the No. 2 defensive rating in the NBA last season, it was still a rough start to his career.
The 19-year-old showed promise on the defensive end of the floor, recording a block and a dunk as part of an impressive two-way sequence in the first quarter.
A first on both ends for the No. 2 pick...
Expect a lot more dunks and blocks from Alex Sarr 💯
Sarr's defense wasn't enough sometimes, though. Jayson Tatum welcomed the rookie to the association by hitting a pull-up triple over him just before halftime.
Jayson Tatum giving Alex Sarr a welcome to the league moment 😅
Alex Sarr is 7-foot-1 and his first two NBA shots were threes and misses. His third shot was dunk. These things are not coincidences. Young fella needs to dominate the paint first and work his way out, not outside in.
Not an easy NBA debut for No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr tonight. Jayson Tatum just hit two straight 3s over the Wizards rookie, and Jrue Holiday baited Sarr into fouls on back-to-back possessions.
The Wizards were able to keep up with the Celtics for the majority of the first half, although Boston entered halftime with a 10-point lead due to a 15-3 run to end the second quarter and didn't look back for the remainder of the contest.
Jaylen Brown finished with a game-high 27 points on 50 percent shooting, while Tatum recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.
Sarr will look to improve in the Wizards' second game of the season, a clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
Corey Kispert, Wizards Agree to 4-Year, $54M Contract Extension Ahead of NBA Season
Oct 21, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 14: Corey Kispert #24 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during a NBA preseason game on October 14, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)
Just before the rookie contract deadline, the Washington Wizards and forward Corey Kispert reached an agreement on a four-year, $54 million contract extension, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Washington Wizards F Corey Kispert has agreed to a four-year, $54 million contract extension, Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of Priority Sports told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/dbzTb77Epm
Kispert missed the Wizards' final preseason game and is a listed as a game-time-decision ahead of their season opener on Thursday against the Boston Celtics.
Drafted out of Gonzaga as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 draft, he has been a key player for the Wizards, making 103 starts over the past three years.
Last season, he averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Kispert and the Wizards look to bounce back this year after finishing last season with just 15 total wins.
Alex Sarr Scores 12 Points, Wows NBA Fans Despite Wizards Preseason Loss vs. Knicks
Oct 10, 2024
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 9: Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2024 NBA Preseason on October 9, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, enjoyed another solid preseason game on Wednesday.
Sarr finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists at the New York Knicks. Three days earlier, he had 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, four rebounds and three assists versus the Toronto Raptors.
The Wizards didn't fare well either time, losing 117-94 to New York and 125-98 to Toronto. But it's clear that Sarr is a bright spot with an exciting future.
There weren't meany highlights for Washington, but Sarr provided one with a smooth backdoor cut leading to a slam dunk.
No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr sneaks backdoor for the slam early in NY 💪
What's most impressive this preseason is the fact that Sarr has vastly improved since summer league, when he struggled mightily, especially on offense.
Per John Hollinger of The Athletic, Sarr's 3.8 summer league PER was worst among all first-round rookies. He shot 9-of-47 for 5.5 points per game and finished with a 22.6 percent true shooting rate.
Sarr has fared far better through two preseason games, though, impressing fans and analysts.
Alex Sarr is special, everything else sucks though
Sarr and the Wizards will play at home for the first time this preseason when they host the Raptors on Friday. Their first regular season game is Thursday, Oct. 24 at home versus the Boston Celtics.
Kyle Kuzma Says Wemby Is NBA's Only Untouchable Player in Trade, Not LeBron, Curry
Oct 8, 2024
MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 06: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during warmups prior to a preseason NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at the Bell Centre on October 6, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards 125-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma says he isn't worried about trade rumors this season, which he believes can impact everyone except one NBA player.
According to Kuzma, that player isn't him, or even Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James or Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry.
"You see a lot of times when players get into trade talks, it affects their games. But it really doesn't matter at the end of the day," Kuzma said in a recent Q&A with The Athletic's Josh Robbins. "One, it's a business. Two, everybody in the NBA is tradable, except for (Victor Wembanyama)."
Kuzma has three years remaining on his contract and could be a trade candidate as the Wizards continue their rebuild this fall.
The odds of James or Curry getting moved this season are in comparison vanishingly small.
Even if the Lakers' hopes of remaining a playoff contender didn't hinge on building a supporting cast for James in his age-40 season, the Los Angeles star also has a no-trade clause on the two-year extension he signed this summer.
Curry may not have a clause of his own, but he signed an extension of his own this offseason slated to keep him with the Warriors through the 2026-27 campaign. The Golden State star recently told reporters that he signed the deal because his goal is "to be a Warrior for life."
When Kuzma was thinking of non-tradable players, however, his mind went not to James or Curry but the reigning Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, who led the NBA with 3.6 blocks per game while averaging 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in 2023-24.
With Wembanyama expected to develop his game even further and contend for DPOY in his second NBA season, there is no question the San Antonio Spurs plan to structure their rebuild around the 20-year-old phenom.
Kuzma meanwhile came close to a trade that would have ended his tenure with the Wizards after two and a half seasons last spring. Robbins reported in February that the Wizards had a potential trade in place with the Dallas Mavericks before Kuzma told the team he wanted to remain in D.C.
After averaging a career-high 22.2 points last season, Kuzma would have more value on a contender than a Wizards team in the early stages of a rebuild, and Washington has already shown they're willing to listen to offers for him. Unlike Wembanyama, Curry or James, there is a real chance he could be playing in a different city by the February 6 trade deadline.
Alex Sarr Scores 15 Points, Impresses NBA Fans in Wizards' Preseason Game vs. Raptors
Oct 7, 2024
MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 06: Jonathan Mogbo #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards during the first half of a preseason NBA game at the Bell Centre on October 6, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Alex Sarr, the 2024 No. 2 NBA draft pick made his NBA preseason debut on Sunday alongside the Washington Wizards as they lost to the Toronto Raptors 98-125.
The 19-year-old, seven footer out of Bordeaux, France finished with 15 points, three rebounds and four assists, shooting 75 percent from the field.
Despite the Wizards' loss, Sarr stood out, earning a starting spot and proving why he was selected No. 2 overall.
Sarr joined the Wizards on a $23 million rookie contract alongside second-year Wizard Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon.
The rookie was ecstatic to be selected just behind fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher and shared his vision for how he plans to contribute to the Wizards this season.
2nd overall pick Alex Sarr drains the 3 for his first #NBAPreseason points!
"I think it's really special... The team is taking a chance on me and I'm blessed for that and I won't take it for granted," Sarr told reporters on draft night . "I'll just, you know, play with effort and impact winning."
After a 15-67 finish last season, the second-worst record in the league, Wizards fans are now filled with excitement following the forward's impressive debut showing.
The Wizards continue their preseason against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Wizards Tease New City Edition Uniforms for 2024-25 NBA Season After Leaked Photos
Sep 18, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: The Washington Wizards logo is seen on the stadium before the game between the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
After the 2024-25 City Edition Nike jerseys leaked early on Tuesday night, one NBA team decided to take matters into its own hands.
The Washington Wizards took to social media to call out the leaks and reveal a better look at their City Edition jerseys:
The Wizards' jersey features "District of Columbia" written on the front, but not much else. The words also appeared on Washington's 2023-24 City Edition jerseys and are stylized the same way. Last year's color scheme was black, orange and green, while this year's features a toned-down approach with a black-and-white base.
Wizards City Edition jerseys have apparently been leaked.
The NBA had typically unveiled the City Edition jerseys in November to provide some excitement early in the season. Last year, the jerseys were worn for the league's inaugural in-season tournament in an effort to differentiate between regular-season games and tournament matchups.
In a release last season, the NBA stated that the jerseys "represent the stories, history and heritage that make each franchise unique—honoring the inherent bond between, court, community and culture."
The Wizards are coming off their worst season in franchise history after posting a 15-67 record. They went 0-12 in February, becoming the 15th team in league history to record a winless month.
The Wizards acquired veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers in July and selected forward Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, so they're hoping to make some more progress in their ongoing rebuild during the 2024-25 campaign.
Evan Fournier Says He Rejected Wizards Contract, Didn't Want to Play for Losing Team
Sep 5, 2024
Evan Fournier of France controls the Ball during the Men's Basketball Gold Medal match between France and United States of America on Day 15 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Former NBA wing Evan Fournier, who just signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Greek professional basketball club Olympiacos, said he turned down a contract with the Washington Wizards.
Maxine Aubin of L'Équipe reported the news from the Frenchman, who cited his lack of interest in a "mentoring role" for younger players as well as playing for a "losing team" during an appearance on the First Team podcast.
Evan Fournier said he was offered a 2 years contract with the Wizards in NBA, but he wasn’t interested in a “mentoring role” with the youngsters, “in a losing team”.
Added he wants to “compete” in Europe and “enjoy playing basketball again”.
The Wizards just went 15-67 last season, bad enough for the NBA's second-worst win-loss record (the 14-68 Detroit Pistons resided in the cellar).
Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the team's over/under for wins next season sits at 20.5, so projections aren't great for next year's squad, either.
Washington also has a roster that skews younger, with most of the team 25 years old or younger. But there are some veterans in the mix, including Jonas Valančiūnas, Richaun Holmes, Malcolm Brogdon and Kyle Kuzma.
Ultimately, Fournier decided to parlay a successful Olympic run with silver medalist France into a new deal with Olympiacos.
The 31-year-old fared well over a 12-year NBA career, though, averaging 13.6 points on 44.1 percent shooting, including a career-high 18.5 PPG for an Orlando Magic team that made the playoffs.
Playing time had been hard to come by over the previous two seasons, though, namely with the New York Knicks. He fell out of the rotation there but landed with the Pistons before the end of the 2023-24 season, averaging 7.2 PPG in 18.7 MPG.
Fournier was third on the France team in scoring during the 2024 Paris Olympics, posting 9.8 PPG.
Wizards 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
Aug 15, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 29: (L-R) 2024 draft picks Alex Sarr #12, Bub Carrington #17, and Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards are introduced at Union Station on June 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards are coming out of one of the worst seasons in franchise history with No. 2 pick Alex Sarr and No. 14 pick Bub Carrington to show for it.
With Sarr and Carrington joining the roster, and new head coach Brian Keefe taking over after an interim period last season, the Wizards' rebuild is set to begin this fall.
Here's a look at the most important matchups the Wizards will take on this season as the franchise looks to chart a course back toward playoff contention.
2024-25 Wizards Schedule Details
Got some help from the @JrWizards for this year's schedule release 🤣
Season Opener: Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. ET vs. Boston Celtics
Championship Odds: +100000 (bet $100 to win $100,000), per FanDuel
Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.
Top Matchups
Atlanta Hawks
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
In a draft as close as the 2024 slate, with no consensus No. 1 pick and both the Wizards and Hawks reportedly considering both Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, the first matchup between the two will be one to watch.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Alex Sarr #12 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket during the game on July 16, 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Two of the top big men in the 2024 draft will face off when Donovan Clingan and the Portland Trail Blazers take on Sarr and the Wizards. During the two team's Summer League matchup, Clingan had Sarr's number, so this matchup will serve as a test of Sarr's development as a defender.
Cleveland Cavaliers
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 7: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 7, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cavaliers and Wizards rivalry has lost some heat in recent seasons amid the Washington team's struggles. Now that these two are slated to compete against one another in the group stage for the in-season NBA Cup, the old rivals are set to battle in meaningful games once again in November.
Season Forecast
Bradley Beal, Daniel Gafford and Deni Avdija may be gone, but Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon are returning for another season as the Wizards' leaders.
Kuzma led the team with 22.2 points per game last season and is set to once more be the team's biggest driver of offense in 2024-25.
The Wizards will take on the 2024-25 season under Brian Keefe, who led the team for the last 39 games of the 2023-24 season. Washington marked an 8-31 record under Keefe, which included a 16-game losing stretch as well as the team's first three-game win streak of the season.
Most importantly, Keefe has worked to help develop star players including Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The Wizards will now hope he can use that experience to guide Sarr and Carrington through their first season in the NBA.
Unlike the 2024 draft, the 2025 edition of the NBA lottery has an early consensus top pick on the line with incoming Duke freshman Cooper Flagg projected to lead the prospects. That draft incentive potentially gives the Wizards the flexibility to offer minutes to their young talents.
Sarr showed some growing pains in Summer League play, but has demonstrated while playing in Australia that he has the potential to develop into an effective rim defender, while Carrington could potentially slot in at either guard position. Both will make this team, if not a projected contender, certainly a more interesting squad to watch this fall.
