The Wizards have brought a familiar face back to the organization, announcing today in a press release that Antawn Jamison has been hired as the club’s director of pro personnel.
Jamison, the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft, spent nearly six of his 16 NBA seasons with the Wizards. He played for the franchise from 2004-10, earning both of his All-Star nods during his time in Washington. Now, after spending the last two years as a scout for the Lakers, he returns to D.C. in a role that will see him contributing to the Wizards’ NBA, G League, and international scouting efforts.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Antawn back to the Wizards organization,” Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard said in a statement. “In addition to his strong feel for the game and basketball knowledge, he has always been a true professional and a dedicated worker. We look forward to him bringing those qualities to our front office.”
The Wizards also announced the hirings of Laron Profit and John Cariedo, both of whom will join the team as scouts. Like Jamison, Profit also spent time in Washington as a player — the two men were teammates during the 2004/05 season.
Antawn “the beast” Jamison… what a pro, great guy, great player, it can only be good for the Wizards
Jamison was a smart & positive presence on the Cavs, but didn’t get appreciation because he was the Lebron between the Lebron windows (though nobody said that out loud). Danny Ferry got him in 2010 with kind of a 50-50 last-resort last-minute trade, trying to boost the end of the first Lebron window; It didn’t work, so a bad start for him there. His large contract that had to be played out was a hindrance to a rebuilding team starting 2011 so his smartness was actually annoying to the locals. His numbers were down but I’m not sure they were supposed to be up; nobody cared. Again, an unofficial history.
Anyway his history in DC was much better; seems like a good addition.