Welcome to the second installment of “Wizards and Whatnot,” where I take you through the happenings around the NBA and check in on the Wizards when necessary. We’re officially in the midseason pre-All Star lull, where games and results start to blend together, so I’m here to guide you through what’s going on.
Who want me?
The trade deadline is looming, and the names being floated on the trade market would make casual NBA fans who get their fix on Instagram Reels squeal. We real game watchers, though… we know some of these names carry more weight than the players themselves do.
The Memphis Grizzlies are open for business, and expect the return they get back for Ja Morant to be pitiful. The one-time “face of the league” candidate is so averse to playing in NBA basketball games and so disinterested when he finally suits up that his value has crashed to an all-time low and the Grizzlies just sound happy to move on.
Anthony Davis is out for at least six weeks, meaning there is a real shot he has played his last game as a Dallas Maverick. Every time I look at the Mavs roster I have no choice but to cross my arms, hit a scowl, lightly shake my head and softly scoff. The strategy of stockpiling pretty good frontcourt players and punting on both guard spots has burned the Mavs, and they’re probably going to pitifully flip Davis (and, by the transitive property, LUKA DONCIC) for a collection of spare parts and a draft pick.
I predict LaMelo Ball and Zach Lavine, the co-chairmen of the “no impact on the outcome of the game” committee, will stay put, Lavine because I can’t fathom another team is willing to pay $50 million for his services and Ball because those jerseys just keep flying off the shelves with the 16-and-under demographic
Paid vaTraetion
The Wizards made the first big splash of trade season by dealing for Trae Young, who has yet to suit up in a Wizards jersey. Young is due to be re-evaluated following the All-Star break in a little under a month, though I’m not totally convinced he will make his Wizards debut until the start of the 2026-27 season.
The 10-33 Wizards are embroiled in a fresh 8-game free-fall, so there is really no rush to get Young back on the court.
The mother of all pretenders
I grew up in Los Angeles as a major Clippers fan. All of my friends were, of course, arrogant Lakers fans, so this part of the column is going to feel really great to write.
This year’s Lakers are a mess. They’re 26-17 but sport a negative net rating, meaning end-of-game execution (or luck) is the only thing buoying their record above .500. Their three best players are Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and 41-year-old LeBron James, three individuals who would prefer not to play defense.
DeAndre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, who both famously are not particularly interested in getting better at the sport of basketball, round out the starting five. The Lakers have the 25th-ranked defense in the NBA, the worst of any team even in contention for the play-in tournament.
This team is staring down a dismantling in the first round of the playoffs, and I honestly doubt that they are going to make a major in-season splash. My group chat of my high school friends remains abuzz with delusions of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the purple and gold, but they’re going to have to be content with a player like Josh Okogie instead.
That being said, they traded for Luka Doncic last year, so what do I know?
Rockets moneyline
Suns moneyline
Raptors moneyline
Detroit Pistons
Atlanta Hawks
Portland Trail Blazers
