One week until the trade deadline. Trust no one, and ignore half of what's reported. If you hear rumors, assume it was already discussed and dismissed, leading to a leak of the proposed deal.
THURSDAY NOTES
Marcin Gortat picked up three fouls in seven minutes, limiting him 23 minutes overall. The other four starters played at least 36 minutes, including Bradley Beal, who reached a high since returning from a stress reaction. Coach Randy Wittman has long overextended Beal's minutes, but he gets some slack because this was the last game before the All-Star break.
John Wall suffered a sore knee during the game and played through it. He's accumulated all sorts of lower body injuries this season, it's a wonder nothing catastrophic has occurred. Wall may skip playing in the All-Star game, but he's going to exhaust all options before sitting out.
The Wizards play three consecutive games next week following the All-Star break and trade deadline. They're one of four teams - the others being the Spurs, Jazz and Bulls - slated for a three-game week due to the postponed game from last month. Since 28 teams play next Friday, adding someone from a three-game team requires triage. You could stream Jared Dudley or Bobby Portis, but if neither would be on your active roster next Friday, you're only getting two games out of them. Would their two games override two games from Wesley Johnson, who plays for the only team, other than the Wizards, with two quality games? Essentially, don't blindly add someone before knowing how they'll situate in your active lineups if you're allowed daily moves.
Coach Jason Kidd rolled with O.J. Mayo and Miles Plumlee in the starting lineup for the second straight game. Mayo, much like last time, picked up two fouls in the first six minutes and was a nonfactor except for the fact that he ate up rotation minutes. Plumlee is getting burn because he's impressed coach lately and John Henson (back) is out. Greg Monroe split center duties with Plumlee, playing 33 off the bench.
Khris Middleton had his best game under coach Kidd with 27 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and five steals in 40 minutes. Jabari Parker followed suit with his best game in over a month and played a season-high 41 minutes. It's been a rough sophomore season for Parker after tearing his ACL 13 months ago, making this more of an extended rookie season.
Michael Carter-Williams is quickly losing appeal, but his true value will be learned next week. After the trade deadline, coaches can begin using preferred lineups and cease showcasing players for trade. That doesn't mean Carter-Williams is a must-hold player, but I think we'll find out next week if the benching has long-term implications or Kidd wanted to see how the team would play without Monroe and Carter-Williams in the lineup should a deal arise. Remember that nothing is permanent, but Carter-Williams did lose his starting gig to Jerryd Bayless earlier this season before Bayless suffered an ankle injury that forced Kidd to reinsert Carter-Williams into the starting lineup.
Bryce DeJean-Jones was not signed for the rest of the season, and Alonzo Gee replaced him in the starting lineup. Not signing DeJean-Jones could bode well for Eric Gordon (finger), or it simply means the organization didn't want to sign DeJean-Jones now with an entire week off. They'll likely sign a player, DeJean-Jones or another D-Leaguer, and help fortify their guard rotation. Gordon's return date is unknown, neither is his chance of remaining on the team past the trade deadline.
Ryan Anderson missed his first eight shots and finished the night 2-of-12 in 21 minutes. He exited early in the game to get his left elbow checked and returned wearing a sleeve on that arm. He's been the focus of trade talks, and I've never endorsed his fantasy appeal.
The Pelicans exude bleak prospects, both in fantasy and reality, When Toney Douglas scores 10 points in 25 minutes and Norris Cole leads the team with six assists and five rebounds, sometimes it's best to avoid the situation entirely. Cole doesn't offer adequate help in threes or steals, but he's a lock for close to 15 points and five assists a night as the present starting point guard.
Russell Westbrook missed a triple-double by one rebound. He's second in the league in double-doubles, triple-doubles, and assists. Serge Ibaka registered three blocks and attempted 15 shots, second most on the team to Kevin Durant, who's averaging 30.0 points over the last 16 games. Enes Kanter recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Cameron Payne dished out eight assists, seven of which occurred in the fourth quarter. None of the Thunder starters played in the final period, allowing Kanter and Payne offensive autonomy.