Swingman Mario Hezonja hasn’t been helping his cause lately as he approaches free agency, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel notes. The Magic declined to pick up his option for the 2018/19 season last summer, which ensured Hezonja would be an unrestricted free agent in July. He is shooting 38.2% from the field and 22.4% from long range this month, in part because he’s impatient and attempts too many low-percentage shots, Robbins continues. The No. 5 pick in the 2015 draft admits he’s not sure what to expect this summer. “It’s almost impossible to know what’s going to happen,” Hezonja told Robbins. “It’s a weird situation that is great for me.”
In other developments from the Southeast Division:
- Hawks guard Dennis Schroder’s legal issues have grown, as his misdemeanor case stemming from an incident last September could be prosecuted as a felony, Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. According to court records, the case has been transferred to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office under a recommendation of prosecuting it as felony aggravated battery. The DA says the case remains under investigation and no decision has been made on charges, Cunningham tweets. The incident involved a scuffle at a shopping center parking lot.
- Kemba Walker will enter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019 and playing for a winner will be a prime consideration, as he revealed to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The Hornets point guard says he’s tired of missing the playoffs so often after winning a national championship in 2011 with Connecticut. “I’ve always felt like I’m a winning player. Like I deserved it to be in the playoffs – to be battling,” Walker said. “That’s what it will be all about in the future.”
- The Wizards have slumped this month and they’re destined for an early playoff exit if they don’t pick up their play, guard Bradley Beal warned Chase Hughes of NBC Sports and other media members. Beal feels like the team isn’t trying hard enough as the regular season winds down. “It’s just the same thing over and over,” he said. “Until we do it individually and together collectively, we’re going to get our [butts] kicked in the playoffs. This isn’t even remotely acceptable, how we are playing right now.”
Kemba has been to the playoffs 2 times in 7 seasons, never been past the first round, and will likely miss the playoffs again this season. Tomorrow night he can become the franchises all time leading scorer. He is undoubtedly the best player in team history but they have failed to give him the help he needs.
I don’t think he’s better then Baron Davis was.
Not for his career, arguably, but Baron only played his first three seasons in Charlotte, and those three seasons are not better than Walker’s career. The New Orleans Hornets’ history is considered part of the Pellicans’ history, not the Hornets’. Even if you throw in the 2+ years in NO, it’s still not clearly Baron. (If you look at their ENTIRE careers, I’d take Baron, though.)
Almost afraid to make this comment but here goes it. I haven’t looked at the numbers but in my gut I’ve never felt that Wall was a natural leader. Not a knock on him. Some of us are and some of us, like me, aren’t. Too emotional to maintain consistent objectivity. Anyone think that trading Wall for Walker is a good idea?
If they get back something else plus walker, yes
Wizards need to pick it up. After Wall first went down, they were playing great. But they have since fallen apart. I don’t know what the issue is.