New team president Michael Winger, who had been the Clippers’ GM since 2017, will have “carte blanche” to potentially overhaul the Wizards‘ roster going forward, writes Ava Wallace of The Washington Post.
Winger has been tasked by owner Ted Leonsis to develop an “identity” as well as “setting a fresh direction for the team,” according to Wallace.
Echoing a previous report, Wallace says Winger will hire a “general manager-type figure” to focus solely on the roster, though she suggests that may happen after the draft and free agency. Winger is also responsible for the WNBA’s Mystics and the G League’s Capital City Go-Go, which are owned by Leonsis’ Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the parent company that controls the Wizards.
The veteran executive is expected to be “empowered” to change the team’s coaching staff as well, Wallace reports. However, it sounds unlikely that head coach Wes Unseld Jr. will be going anywhere, at least for now, as he’s a favorite of Leonsis and is well-regarded within the Wizards, sources tell Wallace.
Wallace writes that Winger has a positive reputation amongst work colleagues, who refer to him as a “crucial voice” within the Clippers who is known as a “fair negotiator ready to lead his own organization.” While the 43-year-old didn’t speak to the media as a Clippers executive, Wallace hears he’s a “strong internal communicator” who’s adept at breaking down advanced concepts, including aspects of the CBA, into “layman’s terms.”
“He’s really good at seeing the whole board,” one executive who has worked with Winger told Wallace. “He’s super organized and really smart. Process-driven to the nth degree. He won’t be reckless or let his team make big mistakes.”
Good deal, now pick a direction and let’s go.
Say goodbye to Bradley Beal.
Basically the only barometer that matters when it comes to the Wizards.
If the new guy is serious about doing things the right way (and has been empowered to do so), he’ll get rid of Beal and do a proper rebuild. If Beal stays, it means Leonsis is still calling the shots and is content with mediocrity.
I’m still betting on the latter until there is evidence otherwise.
Yep exactly. Good post.
I think Porzingis, Beal, Wright, Morris, and Kuzma should all be on the way out and Winger should lean into the young players and draft picks.
Why Kuzma? Beal I agree, they should get something for him while they can.
I just feel like his value is at a high, so they should sell high.
Kuzma is a FA, they cant sell him
S&T
Can’t have cartè blanchè when Beal has a no tradè clausè.
To all 30 teams? And even then I’m pretty sure he’d sign off on a bunch of teams.
Trade beal now and also kuzma
We know you want kuzma out of there