HoopsHype.com Rumors

The following statement is from Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld on behalf of the team: “We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly. He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation.” NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Jason Collins 

Ernie Grunfeld: I think John Wall had a very good year, and he showed that he makes a difference on the team. There’s no question about that, and he’s eligible for an extension. July 1 is the first day we can talk about that, and we’ll have conversations with him, his representatives, to see if we can work something out… Obviously, we’ve said all along that we’re building this team around John and with John. We want to have him here long term. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Ernie Grunfeld 

Ernie Grunfeld: “I think Martell Webster played very well for us. He had a very good year. He was a free agent, and he was very good value for us, but not only was he valuable on the court, he was one of the better 3-point shooters, he stretches the defense, and it complements John and Nene both. But he’s also a good presence in the locker room, and he had nice leadership to him. obviously, he’s a free agent, and at the appropriate time, we’ll sit down with his representatives to see if we can work out something that works for him and works for us.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Martell Webster, Ernie Grunfeld 

More than three years after Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld granted his request to join a championship contender and traded him to Cleveland in the aftermath of a horrendous season that included the death of Wizards owner Abe Pollin and the gun fiasco, Jamison admits that he wishes he had handled the situation in Washington differently. “I regret it,” Jamison said. “Ernie came to me and said, ‘You deserve it. I want to do what’s best for you.’ I was frustrated. That was a tough year. But I wish I would’ve stuck it out the duration of my contract, because if it wasn’t for D.C., I don’t think I’d be where I am at professionally. They gave me that opportunity, from Ernie and Eddie Jordan and Mr. Pollin. They gave me that captain [title]. . . . That was my family. Washington Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld, Antawn Jamison, Eddie Jordan 

Ernie Grunfeld on what changed after acquiring Crawford two years ago from Atlanta: “Jordan, nothing really changed. He had some good moments, but the way we’re playing now is a lot different than then. Now we’re a defensive oriented team and our numbers especially over the last 20 games have shown that we’re one of the top defensive teams in the league. The ball movement has been really good recently and that’s helped us win some games. The players are playing the right way and trying to execute. They’ve been supportive of one another and it just seems like it wasn’t the perfect fit for Jordan at this time.” Washington Post

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld, Jordan Crawford 

On the role improved health has played in the turnaround: “I think it’s shown that when [we] got healthy our record got a lot better. Not only our record, but the way [we] played got better and our competitive attitude and the way we played the game got better. Twenty games is a short sample, but it shows you something. For a guy like John to come back after not having played four months, he still has a little bit of rust on him and he’s getting that off of him. He’s been very competitive and he’s made players around him better. Bradley is going into the second half of the year. He has 40, 50 games under his belt, His game has risen a little bit, he’s been more consistent, he’s learning. But he still has a lot of work ahead of him just like all our players do. Nene still having a little nagging injury here and there, but he’s been out there battling. [Emeka] Okafor’s been consistent. A lot of positive things have happened but by no means are we satisfied with where we are.” Washington Post

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Trade, Ernie Grunfeld, Jordan Crawford 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Shelvin Mack. Mack, who signed as a free agent with Washington on December 25, 2012, appeared in seven games, including two starts, and averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 20.1 minutes per contest. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Ernie Grunfeld, Shelvin Mack 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guards Shelvin Mack and Garrett Temple. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Ernie Grunfeld, Garrett Temple, Shelvin Mack 

As reporters gathered in the Nets locker room before the game, Blatche asked, “Anybody seen how the Wizards are doing?” Then, after the Nets won and the Wizards lost their 12th consecutive game to start the season, Blatche went on his Twitter account and wrote, “Feels good to be part of a winning organization.” The comments drew the ire of already upset Wizards fans, but Blatche had much more that he needed to get off of his chest. Blatche decided to do a radio interview with Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan and lashed back at the Wizards for what he felt was a lack of support in his final years with the franchise. “They’ve could’ve had my back,” Blatche said during an interview that lasted roughly 20 minutes and touched on several topics, including his poor conditioning, the incident when he failed to check in during a game against Charlotte, his relationship with Ernie Grunfeld and even him getting arrested for soliciting a prostitute in 2007. Washington Post

Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Andray Blatche, Ernie Grunfeld 

Michael Lee: Andray Blatche on Ernie Grunfeld: "I don’t like how he didn’t have my back." #wizards Twitter @MrMichaelLee

Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Andray Blatche, Ernie Grunfeld 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has exercised the fourth-year contract options on John Wall, Trevor Booker, Kevin Seraphin and Jordan Crawford while picking up the third-year contract options on Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton. Wall, Booker, Seraphin, Crawford, Vesely and Singleton are now signed through the 2013-14 season. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Ernie Grunfeld, Trevor Booker, Jordan Crawford, Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton 

“We have been able to bring in and develop this core group of talented, mature young players over the last several years, and we’re pleased to have them all signed through next season,” said Grunfeld. “Combining them with the veterans we’ve added gives us a solid foundation that can be competitive now while allowing us to continue to build towards future success.” NBA.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Ernie Grunfeld, Trevor Booker, Jordan Crawford, Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed center/forward Brian Cook and has signed forward/center Earl Barron, guard Steven Gray and forward Shavlik Randolph. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Brian Cook, Ernie Grunfeld, Earl Barron, Shavlik Randolph, Steven Gray 

Michael Lee: Grunfeld on Price: "A.J. is an experienced & dependable player who fits in well with the mix of proven veterans & young players we have." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, AJ Price 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Andray Blatche and has designated him as the team's amnesty player. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Andray Blatche, Ernie Grunfeld 

The Las Vegas summer league, which is less than two weeks away, is currently a high priority as the team looks to fill out its roster in time for mini-camp next week. The Wizards expect to have second-year players Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack, and recent draft picks Beal and Satoransky. Satoransky is currently under contract in Spain and would need to receive clearance from FIBA to play for the Wizards. “We have already applied for” clearance, Grunfeld said. “Whether they grant it or not, remains to be seen. You just don’t know.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Summer League, Ernie Grunfeld, Jan Vesely, Bradley Beal, Shelvin Mack, Chris Singleton 

Team president Ernie Grunfeld said Satoransky remains under contract in Spain, but has an undisclosed buyout to play in the NBA. He does not need to use that buyout to participate in the summer league. Grunfeld and head Coach Randy Wittman both said on Friday afternoon they hoped he would join the team. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Summer League, Ernie Grunfeld, Randy Wittman, Tomas Satoransky, Transactions 

“He can stay there and he’s playing in the best league in Europe,” said Grunfeld. “We’re hoping he can develop with the proper coaching he’s getting over there and the proper minutes.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Summer League, Ernie Grunfeld, Tomas Satoransky, Transactions 

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in all likelihood Satoransky would remain in Europe to develop his game and ideally join Washington in a few years. “This is a very good prospect we’re talking about,” Grunfeld said. “A prospect for down the road, and he’s playing in the highest league in Europe, and we hope he develops and plays instead of just sitting on the bench and not getting any playing time.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld, Tomas Satoransky 

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