Brandon Scott here, the host of the daily Locked On Wizards podcast, with your daily Locked On Wizards newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wizards and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Can the Wizards take advantage of a Suns team in turmoil and spoil Bradley Beals’s return to DC?
The Wizards (6-32) host the Phoenix Suns (19-20) before heading west. While both teams had different objectives and goals this season, both find themselves on the outside looking in regarding the playoff/play-in picture. The Wizards are supposed to be bad but the Suns were expected to be a little more competitive, led by their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. It hasn’t quite worked out and now trade rumors surround them. Bradley Beal is rumored to be on the trade block and another player who is being shopped named Jimmy Butler has made it known that the Suns is his preferred landing spot. The question is, will Beal waive his No-Trade clause? Maybe, but that is no longer the Wizard’s problem. Let’s get into my three keys to victory.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Transition and perimeter defense
The Suns are the 14th-best scoring team in the NBA and feature a three-headed scoring monster in Durant, Booker, and Beal. Not only that, they have two guards in Tyus Jones and Monte Morris who are two of the best guards in the NBA in the last 3 seasons when it comes to turnover-to-assist ratio. They have effective distributors who have the scoring to humble the Wizards, how can the Wizards counteract this? Getting down the court, setting up the defense, making faster switches off defenders, and challenging shooters on the perimeter.
#2 - Win the boards
Surprisingly, the Wizards are a better rebounding team than the Suns, averaging 44 per game. With Nurkic out, there is a chance that Sarr and Valanciunas can have a big game in the paint. Now the Suns just acquired Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets but I still think this is a good match for the Wizards.
#3 - Causing TO’s
The Suns are an efficient team on offense and are the 10th-best team in the NBA when it comes to protecting the ball. By practicing better transition and perimeter defense and getting into passing lanes, the Wizards have a chance. One more thing needs to happen. They need to become more aggressive on defense. Look for Bilal Coulibaly to have his hands full tonight but it’s all good, we know B-Coul can handle himself.
I will be covering the game tonight so following the game, I’ll be going live from Capital One Arena. Join me at 9:30 PM.
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
I only get to write this column once per week, so while we’re still technically a game or two short of the halfway marker for most teams, I’m here with some second-quarter awards anyway!
These are honors for the second quarter and second quarter only; they aren’t predictive. Word count limitations mean I have no margin for a longer introduction. You get it.
Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
When it comes to analyzing defense, it isn’t fair to lump wings and guards with bigs; it’s like comparing a sports car to a heavy-duty pickup truck when you can only buy one vehicle. Instead, I split Defensive Player of the Quarter into interior and perimeter editions.
My Interior Defensive Player of the Quarter won’t shock: it’s Victor Wembanyama. I could throw a bunch of advanced analytics at you to prove the case, but instead, I’d ask that you join me in prayer: Holy mother of basketballs, protect your children from the harm Wembanyama inflicts upon them.
Ok, fine, here’s one fun, if basic, number. In the season’s second quarter, Wemby had an outrageous 69 blocks. That’s 30 more than second-place Myles Turner, despite the fact that Turner played in three more games. Let’s not waste time here.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis The Wizards’ progress this season shows improvement, though they continue to chase history. The team is performing better than last year, avoiding previous embarrassing paces. (Bullets Forever)
Preview The Wizards prepare to face the Suns in an upcoming game. This match preview covers key players and expectations for the encounter. (Bullets Forever)
Preview The Wizards will host the Suns as Bradley Beal returns to DC. Key strategies and player highlights are discussed. (Wiz of Awes)
Nick Richards Traded to Phoenix Suns: Fantasy Basketball Impact and Analysis
Jan 12, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA. While not a blockbuster deal, this move has significant implications for fantasy basketball managers.
In exchange for Richards, the Hornets received Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, while the Suns also got a second-round pick in return. At first glance, it might seem like the Suns got a steal, but let’s take a closer look at what this means for Richards’ fantasy value.
Richards has been averaging 21 minutes per game this season, putting up 9 points and 7.5 rebounds with 1.2 blocks. These numbers have him ranked 205th in category leagues, which is far from impressive. However, the change of scenery could potentially boost his value.
