HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ernie Grunfeld: On if the pick is between Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes or Bradley Beal: It’s fair to say at least two of those three players will be there when it’s our turn to pick. Every draft goes in groupings. Obviously everyone knows who the No. 1 pick is going to be, but after that, there is a group of four or five players that will go anywhere from two to six, depending on who is picking. I think those three players are probably in that grouping, as is Thomas Robinson. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld, Harrison Barnes, Thomas Robinson, Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Mike Wise: Ernie Grunfeld, via our visit with him on the show, did not say "No" when asked if he would ship the No. 3 and 32 picks for Charlotte No. 2 Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld 

Ernie Grunfeld: "“We want to be a better team this year and we want to compete for a possible playoff spot. Now how that comes around only time will tell how the young players continue to develop and how everybody meshes together. We got a taste of winning a little bit and I think our players got a taste of winning last year and they liked it" Sports Radio Interviews

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Michael Lee: Grunfeld on why #wizards made trade instead buying out Rashard Lewis: "That [$] would've been for a player that doesn't give you anything." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld, Rashard Lewis 

Mike Prada: On why do this deal now, EG said he thinks he knows who the teams drafting ahead of the Wizards are taking Twitter

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld 

Michael Lee: Ernie Grunfeld: "We think we're a better team today than we were yesterday." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Craig Stouffer: Grunfeld didn't give specifics on Okafor's knee injury, said still has to pass physical, that he was durable prior to past season. #Wizards Twitter

Washington Wizards, Emeka Okafor, Ernie Grunfeld, Injuries 

Mike Prada: "I don't think we're depending on a rookie to come in and play 40 minutes a night for us anymore." -EG on one benefit of trade Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Craig Stouffer: Grunfeld said Ariza played with Wall in a pickup game in L.A. today. Twitter

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Ernie Grunfeld, Trevor Ariza 

The Washington Wizards traded Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 overall pick in next week’s NBA draft to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday in exchange for forwards Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. “We are pleased to add two more solid pieces as we continue to build our roster with a balance of proven veterans and the core of young talent that we have developed,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. “Emeka’s defensive presence and rebounding ability will combine with Trevor’s versatility to add new dimensions to our frontcourt, and both players fit in very well with the type of team-first culture that we have been working to establish.” Washington Times

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Ernie Grunfeld, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis 

Most of the top prospects did not participate in drills at the NBA combine, but Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said the team was able to get some much-needed information during their meet-and-greet sessions with the players. They met with Robinson, Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist, North Carolina players Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller and Kendall Marshall, Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb from Connecticut, Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, Washington guard Terence Ross, Duke guard Austin Rivers, Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie, Illinois center Meyers Leonard and Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins, among others. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld, Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Austin Rivers, John Jenkins, Jeremy Lamb, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, Kendall Marshall 

Michael Lee: Despite delay, Ernie Grunfeld said Randy Wittman was coach #wizards wanted all along: "After we took time to evaluate our situation, yes.” Twitter

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Randy Wittman 

Randy Wittman will return as the head coach of the Wizards for the 2012-13 season. “We are excited to bring Randy back as head coach and give him the opportunity to build on the positive momentum that the team showed under his leadership last season,” said Grunfeld. “We were very pleased with the development of our young players and the commitment to winning he instilled despite taking over the team under difficult circumstances.” RealGM

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Randy Wittman 

Michael Lee: Ernie Grunfeld was asked about Ted Leonsis' comment that #wizards won't trade No. 3 pick: "We do what our owner says." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld, Ted Leonsis 

Michael Lee: Asked about Wittman, Ernie Grunfeld didn't commit but said "situation will be resolved way before the draft. We like the job Randy's done." Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Randy Wittman 

Ernie Grunfeld on Coach Randy Wittman - "I've said it all along, Randy has done a very good job. The players responded to him very well. He and I work well together and the players like him. Randy is under contract as well as the rest of our staff. " Facebook.com

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Owners, Randy Wittman 

Mike Prada: For what it's worth, spoke to a source who seemed a bit surprised by Ernie Grunfeld's quote. Said nothing's been finalized yet Twitter

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Owners, Randy Wittman 

Mike Prada: The source did confirm, though, that Wittman is under contract for next year Twitter

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Owners, Randy Wittman 

A person who has spoken in recent weeks to President Ernie Grunfeld said “reading between the lines” from their conversations left the impression that Wittman would be retained. The person added, however, “Hey, I could be wrong.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Randy Wittman 

When did you find out that you’d stay on with the team? Ernie Grunfeld: “It was official yesterday at some point. I'm excited about it. It’s been a process for us. Obviously, we've been very transparent about what we're trying to do. We had a game plan, and we wanted to rebuild through the draft with younger players, put ourselves in a good position from a salary cap standpoint moving forward, and I think we've really made some good progress. I'm excited about being a part of it moving forward.” Washington Examiner

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld