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.
Home again, home again. Good Lord, the Wizards are home again. Maybe just for a little bit though.
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) gestures after scoring against Indiana Pacers in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports | Dan Hamilton/Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
After battling a grueling 6 game West Coast road trip, the Wizards are back home for a couple of cups of coffee because while they play a back-to-back vs the Raptors and the Lakers, they head right back onto the road for 4 games. The bright side is that they then come home for five games so you have to give a little to get a little.
First up is the Raptors, led by young star forward Scottie Barnes and resident Canadian RJ Barrett. This will be a nostalgia game for Jonas Valanciuas who is a former member of the Toronto Raptors and has plenty of experience playing playoff games in Capital One Arena as a result. Next, for a change, we won’t go over the three keys to victory. I’m going to go over the three things I’d like to see the Wizards do.
#1 - I’d like to see Jordon Poole take over the game with Immanuel Quickley being out. I expect a 20+ scoring game from JP13.
#2 - I’d like to see Kyle Kuzma be aggressive and find ways to get Bilal and Sarr going. It only helps him to have someone take pressure off of him.
#3 - I’d like the team to regain some of that competitive fire and get back to fighting for 4 quarters.
We will be going live at 9:30 to recap the Wizards vs Raptors matchup. See you there.
The real incentive to win in this year’s All-Star Game? Pride
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Western Conference guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors talks with forward Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns and forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers before the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t spend that much time thinking about the NBA All-Star Game, or what’s reportedly ailing it. It’s like getting into a serious argument about the artistic merits of Marvel movies with another adult. They might entertain you and me, because they appeal to our sense of nostalgia (and the buying power within), but they’re made for kids.
With that out of the way, I do have a mild, hopeful prediction for this year’s game.
The last best All-Star Game I watched was in Chicago in 2020, and it was made that way because Kyle Lowry took three charges. Three charges! Many people were annoyed by it, namely LeBron James and James Harden who were at the other end of Lowry’s talents (the third was Kawhi Leonard, who was unbothered), but it was an injection of competitive spirit into a game that can get flat, fast.
It was also an anomaly. Not for Lowry (asking Lowry not to take charges would be like telling Steph Curry not to take threes), but for the game itself. A funny little hiccup that every player on the floor reacted to, whether they liked it or not. In their annoyance, James and Harden dug in, in their ability to cause annoyance and get under their rivals skin, Lowry’s ‘Team Giannis’ did the same. The crowd was engaged, excited, and that rare tendril of collective awareness in witnessing something unique happening ran through it.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trade The Washington Wizards are exploring veteran trade options as the deadline approaches, with names like Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon in discussions. Brian Keefe’s influence could shape the final decisions. Trade possibilities are heating up. (Bullets Forever)
Preview The Wizards return home to face the surging Raptors. Fans can expect a competitive matchup highlighting key players and strategic adjustments. Stay tuned for an exciting game. Get insights into the matchup. (Wiz of Awes)
Ranking The Wizards have key players likely to be traded as the deadline approaches. Evaluating their top 3 trade candidates provides insights into potential team changes. Discover who might be on the move. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor Bradley Beal trade rumors heat up as the deadline nears, with several teams expressing interest. This potential move could reshape the Wizards’ future. (CBS Sports)
Preview The Raptors play the Wizards tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Playoffs 10 NBA playoff contenders: How to fix the most unbalanced teams. (ESPN)
Trades The Toronto Raptors are “holding a lot of cards” ahead of the NBA trade deadline. (SportsNet)
Feel Good Former NBA star Isaiah Thomas scores 40-points in return to G League. (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Sell High Opportunities in Fantasy Basketball: Zion Williamson and More
Jan 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) has a rebound bounce of his head against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Fantasy basketball is all about maximizing value, and one of the best ways to do that is by identifying sell-high opportunities. Today, I’m diving into some players who are currently performing above expectations, presenting a prime chance to trade them for potentially higher long-term value.
Zion Williamson is the first player on our radar. The New Orleans Pelicans star has been on fire lately, ranking as the 15th best player in category leagues over the past two weeks. He’s averaging an impressive 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, with 2 blocks per game. However, there are reasons to be cautious about his sustained production.
Williamson’s current 62% field goal percentage and 41% usage rate are likely unsustainable. While his defensive numbers have improved, there’s always the lingering injury risk to consider. If you can get a top-40 player in return for Zion, it might be worth pulling the trigger.
Deni Avdija: A Surprising Surge
Another player experiencing a hot streak is Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the last two weeks, he’s been the 54th ranked player in category leagues, averaging close to 40 fantasy points per game. His recent stat line of 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists with two steals is impressive, but there are signs that this level of production may not last.
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