Wizards power forward Rui Hachimura has returned to D.C. after a weeks-long excused absence due to personal reasons, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link). Hachimura, 23, averaged 13.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 57 games for Washington during the 2021/22 season.
Hughes notes that the 6’8″ third-year player, a 2019 lottery selection out of Gonzaga, will now have to wait to clear COVID-19 protocols. He missed several weeks with the Wizards during the club’s 2021/22 training camp/preseason. The team expects him to return within a few days.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- The Magic have announced several promotions within their front office, per a team press release. Matt Lloyd and Anthony Parker have been promoted to prominent roles for the club, with Lloyd upgraded to the title of vice president of basketball operations and Parker to assistant GM.
- Hawks shooting guard Kevin Huerter appears to be confident he’ll receive a rookie contract extension before the October 18 deadline, following a terrific showing in the Eastern Conference playoffs with Atlanta, writes Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Kirschner notes that, during the 2021 offseason, Huerter had a left ankle procedure to treat long-term soreness that had afflicted him throughout the 2020/21 season. “I think both sides are saying the right things and want to get something done,” Huerter said. “I’m as confident as I’ve ever been. I think both sides want to get something done. It’s obviously just coming up with the right value.” The 23-year-old, drafted with the No. 19 pick out of Maryland in 2018, averaged 11.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.3 RPG and 1.2 SPG in 69 games for Atlanta last year. He posted a shooting line of .432/.363/.781.
- The Capital City Go-Go, NBA G League affiliate of the Wizards, will add rookie small forward Kyree Walker, tweets Jordan Schultz of Boardroom. Schultz mentions that Walker could be considered for the Wizards’ open two-way player slot. The Wizards previously had been preparing to add Walker to their training camp roster and may still sign him to an Exhibit 10 contract to secure his NBAGL rights.
Can’t the Hawks wait?— not sure what his value is. His PER has only risen to 12, 11 in the playoffs, where his defense was promising but his on-off only minus 7! All the new players at his position and the injury could not have helped though.
Huerter should get at least what Bogdanovich signed for last year. If he is a RFA next summer he is getting something like the Duncan Robinson deal – 90 mil.
I personally think he is better than Robinson – he can create of the dribble and make some plays for others.
The Hawks can’t pay everybody but shooters like Kevin are not easy to find.
Huerter has proven himself, pay the man. Everyone is worried about not having enough money to sign Hunter and Cam. We already have Trae Collins and Capela locked up and OO Johnson and Cooper on rookie deals. Hunter has major injury concerns and Cam has shown nothing yet but the potential is there.
We could trade Bogi and Gallo to get their salaries off the books and picks to keep reloading….or we could trade Cam for another star caliber player to put next to Trae. Whatever happens, I trust TS.