Tag: Jordan Goodwin

Bradley Beal traded to the Suns: What it means for them and the Wizards

Analyzing the Bradley Beal trade and how it impacts the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards.

The Bradley Beal era in Washington is officially over. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards are trading him to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and several second-round picks and first-round pick swaps. According to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, Jordan Goodwin is also being traded to the Suns.

This trade is as “all-in” as it could get for the Suns, who are now extremely limited in ways to improve the roster going forward. They are now set to have their trio of Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant set to earn $50 million each as soon as the 2024-25 season. As for the Wizards, they officially are entering a rebuild as they look to accumulate assets and generate cap flexibility.

Rockets finish 2022-23 season on winning streak behind rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason

#Rockets rookies Jabari Smith and Tari Eason flourished Sunday in Washington as Houston (22-60) finished its 2022-23 season with three straight wins and four of five, overall.

In the final game of the NBA’s 2022-23 season for both teams, the Rockets rallied to defeat the Wizards on Sunday, 114-109 (box score). Both teams were short-handed, as expected, in a regular-season finale with no playoff implications, with Houston (22-60) resting Kevin Porter Jr. and Washington (35-47) holding out big names such as Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and Kristaps Porzingis.

With the road victory, the rebuilding Rockets finished the season with three straight wins and four of their last five, overall. However, that wasn’t enough to save the job of head coach Stephen Silas, whose team finished with one of the NBA’s three worst records (and maximum draft-lottery odds) in each of his three years in Houston.

Besides sitting Porter, the Rockets gave only limited minutes to starting center Alperen Sengun (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) and guard Jalen Green (14 points, 4 assists, 50% FG), who sat out late. Houston did, however, let its 2022-23 rookies play usual minutes.

Jabari Smith Jr. led the way for the Rockets with 20 points and 5 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), including 7-of-8 on free-throws (87.5%), while Tari Eason had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on a matching 6-of-11 line. Second-year guard Josh Christopher started in place of Porter and had 13 points and 4 assists on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), while veteran big man Boban Marjanovic added 10 points (71.4% FG) and 6 rebounds in only 13 minutes.

Jordan Goodwin led the Wizards with 22 points and 5 assists on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).

Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. With their season complete, next up for the Rockets are exit interviews to recap the year and preview the offseason. A schedule for those has yet to be released.

Live tracker: Here is where the top undrafted free agents have signed

The 2021 NBA draft has come and gone but the draft cycle still continues for a bit longer as the undrafted free agents find their new homes.

The 2021 NBA draft has come and gone but the draft cycle still continues for a bit longer as the undrafted free agents find their new homes.

While the following prospects didn’t get to hear their name called by the commissioner or deputy commissioner on Thursday night, they can find solace in the fact that their path to the pros is far from over. It’s not unheard of for an undrafted free agent to carve out a role for themselves in the NBA.

Some notable names, including Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi and G League Ignite’s Daishen Nix, will join the fraternity of undrafted basketball players who hope to still make a name for themselves in the NBA.

Here is where the best remaining prospects have landed so far, according to reports:

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

NBA combine invitations suggest who could be heading back to the NCAA

We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.

We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.

While there is nothing final about our projections, now that those lists are finalized we know the names of the most notable players who have declared for the draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility.

These prospects, who are all classified as “testing the waters” at this point, are the ones facing the toughest decision for their pro future but may have more clarity now than they did during the college basketball season.