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Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Thursday previewed an upcoming meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of a planned vote on league expansion that could bring men’s professional basketball back to Seattle. ESPN has reported that the Tuesday and Wednesday meetings of the NBA’s board of governors next week in New York would include a vote on initiating expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas.
Wizards GM Will Dawkins said team officials have been in contact with D'Angelo Russell’s representation and that Russell will not report to Washington “as we try to figure out what’s best for him and us and our future.” Russell has a player option for next season worth $6 million, but Dawkins’ comment appeared to indicate that the Wizards and Russell could reach a buyout agreement.
Tim MacMahon: Wizards’ thought process on AD trade: With intent to be competitive next season, Washington added a 10-time All-Star big to pair with Trae Young without giving up homegrown young talent or premium picks.
Josh Robbins: Alex Sarr, who missed practice Wednesday because of an illness and was listed as questionable to play tonight in Washington, is now listed as AVAILABLE to play tonight against the Bucks.
Given his history with Washington, John Wall said that it would be a good idea for you to ask Trae questions about pick-and-roll coverages and other Xs and Os. What conversations have you been able to have so far? Sarr: “Yeah, most definitely. That’s going to be very important. But we really haven’t had those talks yet. But that’s definitely something that we’re going to be doing. We’ll be talking about the team we’re playing, what’s their coverage and how we want to attack it. That’s definitely something that we’re going to do come game time.”
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Vinny Benedetto: Jonas Valanciunas is available to make his return tonight in Washington. Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Tim Hardaway Jr. are also available.
He was traded from Washington in the summer of 2024 for Malcolm Brogdon and first-round picks from 2024 (used to select Bub Carrington) and 2029. At the time, the trade was largely viewed as an overspend by the Blazers for a player who averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds the year prior. After his first 20 games, Avdija scuffled, averaging 11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. In eight of those games, he came off the bench. “When I came here, it was hard for me to find my role,” Deni Avdija said. “I had to find a new identity.”
During your Wizards introduction presser, it sounded like you planned on being here long-term. You have a player option for next season. Is that your mentality to be in Washington long-term? Trae Young: That’s the thing. I’m obviously always where my feet are, especially now. My feet are all here right now. I obviously have a player option this summer. I just want to enjoy the city. Right now, who knows what that would be? It’s a good chance. You never know if I’ll be here or not. But for me, I like the people around here, obviously. Really, really like the people around here from front office, all those guys being from OKC and the people I just met around here. But I want to figure out more about the city and stuff like that before I even want to get thinking about that. I want to just be around my teammates and all that stuff before an extension.
Marc Stein: Trae Young will wear No. 3 in Washington. No. 11 is retired in honor of Bullets legend Elvin Hayes.
Eric Nehm: Per Bucks PR, Gary Harris (right Achilles soreness) is out for tonight’s game in Washington. Giannis Antetokounmpo (left adductor strain injury management) and Gary Trent Jr. (right thumb sprain) are available.
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Tim MacMahon: Anthony Davis has been ruled out tonight, Jason Kidd told reporters in Washington. Davis has been pushing to return. Mavs are exercising caution.
Josh Robbins: Alex Sarr told reporters that he expects to play in tomorrow afternoon's preseason opener in Washington. Sarr had been sidelined with a left calf injury that he sustained during EuroBasket, but he has been ramping up over the last week.
Starting Friday, Washington is eligible for a four-year extension worth nearly $90 million. He is entering his seventh season and set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. A person familiar with the team’s thinking told The Dallas Morning News an extension for Washington is likely, but the exact terms of the deal remain unclear.