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Josh Robbins: Final: The Wizards have broken their losing streak. They defeated Denver 122-113, despite Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56 points. Jordan Poole scored 39 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Champagnie: a career-high 23 points. -via Bluesky / December 7, 2024
Jonas Valančiūnas offered his thoughts on the growing trend of naturalized players joining national teams, a topic of increasing debate in international basketball. A recent rumor was that Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell was interested in joining Lithuania’s national team. Valančiūnas emphasized the need for a connection to the country to participate with any national team. “They’re going to take me! [Laughs] I’m joking. Honestly, I don’t have much of an opinion about teams hunting for players. A national team is a national team — you need roots, a connection to the country. Teams do it, but I don’t have a real stance on it,” Valančiūnas told DallasHoopsJournal.com. -via Dallas Hoops Journal / December 7, 2024
Fischer continues to hear that the Lakers are scouring the market for a center, with Jonas Valanciunas‘ name still coming up frequently. The Wizards‘ big man is “definitely available for trade,” Fischer says (video link). -via Hoops Rumors / November 23, 2024
Brogdon was one of them, delivering 15 points. The guard — described as a “chill pill” by teammate Corey Kispert — added five assists. “When things go awry or things are feeling sticky … Malcolm is a surefire way for us to get back in the groove of what we’re trying to do,” Kispert said Saturday. -via Washington Post / November 25, 2024
Brogdon was abruptly moved from a championship contender into a team at the beginning of a rebuild as the Trail Blazers moved cornerstone Damian Lillard to the Bucks. This offseason, the 31-year-old Brogdon was traded to the Wizards, who are in total tank mode. “Guys get traded every year, and for teams a lot of the time it’s not personal. It’s a business, decision but for players it is personal,” Brogdon said after scoring 18 points with 10 rebounds in 26 minutes against the Celtics. “You’re uprooting your family. You’re moving to a new city. You’re having to adjust to a new situation. But honestly it was a good trade for them and we’ll both be good in the long run.” -via Boston Globe / November 23, 2024
He was angry at the Celtics following the trade. He felt he was thrust into a bench role — when he was a career starter — and flourished, but was still dealt. “Honestly, I’m not even in a position anymore where I even talk about it,” he said. “I made peace with the situation and moved on and I’m in a good place now.” -via Boston Globe / November 23, 2024