The Washington Wizards General Manager anticipates the Wizards will play better defense, but notes that the team is still in a “deconstruction phase.”
Washington Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins spoke to the media yesterday in a pre-training camp and pre-Media Day conference on Thursday. Like most General Managers would be at this time of year, he was optimistic.
That said, he also stressed that the team is still in a “deconstruction” phase. Here is what Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network posted on X.
Wizards GM Will Dawkins says the Wizards are still in the ‘deconstruction phase’ of their rebuild. He said there are four phases: deconstruction, laying the foundation, building it up and then fortifying what they’ve built.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 26, 2024
What Dawkins said is clear to many fans, but it’s also an admission that the Wizards’ rebuild is still in the early stages — and that the players on the team right now probably won’t be the players who will be on the team when the Wizards are contending in the postseason again. So, that can be taken by some fans as the Wizards being open to moving some of their better players, like Jonas Valanciunas or Kyle Kuzma, at the right price.
Dawkin is still optimistic about the future, including this season. Here are some clips.
Wizards GM Will Dawkins to fans as they approach watching this season: “Celebrate the growing pains… you will see glimpses of the future… when you see those glimpses, take stock of that and note of that and know there’s more to come.”
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 26, 2024
Wizards GM Will Dawkins on what he expects to be different this year: “We are going to be a better defensive team.”
Also adds detail to the offensive play style which will feature pace and lots of movement/cuts. pic.twitter.com/b09jPc8Rpv
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 26, 2024
Will Dawkins is speaking to media now for his preseason press conference.
One thing he noted: he expects Jordan Poole to have a better second year here, much like he did both at Michigan and Golden State.
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) September 26, 2024
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