News Wizards Team Notes

[Washington Wizards]

Recap: Citron leads Mystics to 94-83 win over Aces

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Brittney Sykes sat the game out due to injury but Citron filled in her shoes very well.

The Washington Mystics went into Las Vegas and handled business, knocking off the Aces 94-83 on Thursday night behind another strong performance from rookie guard Sonia Citron, who stepped up in the absence of Brittney Sykes, who had a right lower leg injury.

Citron led Washington’s scorers with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. She added 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 34 minutes, giving the Mystics steady offense through the first three quarters.

Sug Sutton finished with 17 points and 6 assists, shooting an efficient 7-of-12 from the field while playing the entire game.

Shakira Austin anchored the paint with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. Rookie guard Lucy Olsen chipped in 14 points off the bench, going 5-of-8 from the field and hitting three 3-pointers.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray added 13 points each, but Las Vegas couldn’t keep pace with the Mystics’ offensive rhythm and energy.

The win moves Washington to 8-8 on the season and marks one of their most complete performances to date.

The Mystics’ next game is against the Dallas Wings on Saturday, June 28. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET. See you then.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/myst...ington-mystics-las-vegas-aces-wnba-game-recap

 

[Washington Wizards]

Will Riley scouting breakdown

Wizards new draft pick Will Riley on draft night | Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images

Illini insider Mike LaTulip analyzes Riley's games so Wizards fans know what to expect from the 21st pick

Mike LaTulip, a former Illinois guard and basketball analyst for the Field of 68 and the Illini Inquirer, joined the Bleav in Wizards podcast to break down the game of new Wizards wing Will Riley. LaTulip fills listeners in on Riley's strengths, areas for improvement, Day 1 readiness, long-term potential, ideal roles, and what his mindset and work ethic are like. This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on Will Riley. LaTulip also weighs in on the additions of Tre Johnson and Jamir Watkins to the Wizards young core and shares a juicy anecdote about the thoroughness of the Wizards front office.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025...gton-wizards-mike-latulip-kasparas-jakucionas

 

[Washington Wizards]

Report: Wizards acquire Dillon Jones and a 2nd round pick from the Thunder

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Washington remains active right after the NBA Draft and right before free agency goes really active tomorrow.

The Washington Wizards made a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, where they acquired Dillon Jones and a future second round draft pick in exchange for Colby Jones, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading guard Dillon Jones and a second-round pick to the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025​

Washington is sending guard Colby Jones to the Thunder, who will then release him, sources said.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025​

Dillon Jones just finished his rookie season for the Thunder, the newly-minted NBA champions after winning the 2025 NBA Finals last week. He played 54 regular season games in 2024-25, averaging 2.5 points and grabbing 2.2 rebounds per game. Jones also made 23 appearances in Oklahoma City’s playoff run, which included scoring 10 points in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Colby Jones played 39 games for the Wizards in the 2024-25, averaging 4 points per game.

Given that the Thunder are expected to waive Colby Jones, this deal appears to be one where the Wizards add another younger prospect and a draft pick in exchange for a younger player who isn’t part of their plans anyway.

It seems like the Thunder are effectively doing this to shave salary to lower future luxury tax payments, even if it’s just incrementally. I guess teams can afford to do things when they are NBA champions.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025...ty-thunder-nba-trade-dillon-jones-colby-jones

 

[Washington Wizards]

Jamir Watkins scouting breakdown

New Wizard Jamir Watkin poses in his new jersey | Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

Florida State analyst Austin Veazey shares his perspective on the Wizards 43rd pick

The Washington Wizards selected Florida State guard/wing Jamir Watkins at 43, but what should Wizards fans expect from the second rounder? Austin Veazey, basketball writer and editor for Nole Gameday and co-host of the Hear the Spear podcast, joined the Bleav in Wizards podcast to fill fans in on Watkins on and off the court. He discussed Watkins's strengths, areas for improvement, his role at Florida State, his likely NBA role, his potential as a jumbo playmaker, his competitiveness, and whether he's ready to contribute in his first season.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025...own-washington-wizards-deni-avdija-herb-jones

 

[Washington Wizards]

NBA Free Agency Day 1 open thread

Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Chat about the first day of free agency here.

Today is the first day of NBA Free Agency in 2025. Starting at 6 p.m. ET, teams can begin negotiating with free agents. Teams cannot sign free agents until July 6, but there will be plenty of time for reports to say who is signing with which teams.

Feel free to to chat about the reported moves below!

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/6/30/24458681/nba-free-agency-day-1-open-thread

 

[Washington Wizards]

Report: Mystics open to trading Edwards

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

With Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin playing at a high level, Edwards could be moved out this season.

In the WNBA, midseason trades aren’t uncommon, but they aren’t unheard of either. And this season, it’s possible that the Washington Mystics may be a team that does just that.

According to Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou of ESPN, “multiple teams” have inquired about Edwards’ availability to the Mystics — and Washington is listening.

Edwards is in her second season for the Mystics, but is averaging just 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in the 2025 season. Furthermore, she is in a crowded frontcourt rotation which includes rookie Kiki Iriafen and a resurgent Shakira Austin.

If Washington decides to trade Edwards, they will have to do so by Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. ET. And if Edwards is traded, the Mystics will probably have to request draft picks and/or players whom they could feasibly re-sign in 2026. Trading players will be complicated for Washington because nearly every WNBA player not on a rookie contract is a free agent in 2026. This also coincides with the start of a highly anticipated Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Let us know your thoughts on whether you think Edwards should be traded, and what you think the Mystics could get in return for her in the comments below.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/myst...ton-mystics-aaliyah-edwards-wnba-trade-rumors

 

[Washington Wizards]

Edwards and Johnson brush off trade rumors

The Washington Mystics forward and head coach apparently learned about the rumors at the same time as everyone else.

Yesterday, reports surfaced that the Washington Mystics are open to trading Aaliyah Edwards, perhaps by the deadline on Aug 7.

Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post asked Mystics Head Coach Sydney Johnson about the report yesterday at practice. Johnson said that he also just learned about it and was not aware of any discussions regarding Edwards’ future.

Sydney Johnson said he just found out about the ESPN report that the Mystics are in trade talks to move Aaliyah Edwards. Said he cannot comment and “I have nothing to say.” Added that’s not his role or something he’s privy to. pic.twitter.com/hjiAeeBxvM

— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) July 1, 2025​

Johnson also said that he would continue to focus on his “direct communication” with players when in a situation like Edwards’ and focus on what he can control.

Edwards was also asked questions at practice and she said her strategy is to remain with the present.

Aaliyah Edwards said she didn't know about the report: "I am just trying to stay present in the moment. Focus on the team. Focus on what you need to get done for Thursday. I'm not really looking too much into what's being said online. My focus is here with the team, where my feet…

— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) July 1, 2025​

Asked Aaliyah Edwards about staying in good spirits during a challenging season: "As a competitor, you definitely think about those things. And as an athlete, we go through highs and lows. We have great seasons. We don't have good seasons. We kind of have stall seasons. So my… https://t.co/yvS6kVq7xN

— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) July 1, 2025​

The Mystics’ next game is tomorrow when they play the Minnesota Lynx on the road. It will be interesting to see how the Mystics utilize Edwards over the next few weeks, especially with the trade deadline slowly but surely coming up in just one month.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/myst...-washington-mystics-wnba-trade-rumor-reaction

 

[Washington Wizards]

Preview: Mystics play Lynx on Thursday

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Washington beat the WNBA runners up recently and can do so again tomorrow.

The Washington Mystics play the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night. Here is the preview.

Game Info​

When: Thursday, July 3 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

How to Watch: Monumental Sports Network

Injuries​

Mystics: Emily Engstler, Jade Melbourne, Sug Sutton (Day-To-Day), Georgia Amoore (Out)

Lynx: Karlie Samuelson (Day-to-Day)

Pregame notes​

The Washington Mystics have been treading around .500 this season, but have been having trouble maintaining that level! Tomorrow night, they have a chance, though a small one, to get back to .500, or in other words to a 9-9 record.

The opponent is the Minnesota Lynx, currently one of the elite teams in the league. The Lynx are virtually unbeaten at home. Well, they are unbeaten at home at 8-0!

Can the Mystics upset here? That would be a huge surprise, and give the Lynx their first home loss.

The Mystics are also dealing with multiple nagging injuries, though three of those are GTD, so things could look up for the Mystics. Amoore is still out though which is not ideal.

Let’s see! Let us know what you think in the comments

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/myst...gton-mystics-minnesota-lynx-wnba-game-preview

 

[Washington Wizards]

Recap: Mystics blown out by Lynx, 92-75

Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images

Mystics struggled taking care of the ball and drop this one in Minnesota.

The Washington Mystics lost to the Minnesota Lynx, 92-75 on Thursday night. This game started off very well for the Mystics and looked like they were destined to pull off a big upset, but there was a lot more to this than the early run the Mystics went on.

You can summarize this game with two stats, turnovers and points off of turnovers. The Mystics just could not take care of the ball and the Lynx took full advantage.

Mystics were able to start this one off with an early 10-point lead in the 1st quarter due to poor shooting by the Lynx, who only shot 33 percent in that frame.

Once the Lynx started getting their rhythm offensively the Mystics just could not stop turning the ball over. For the game, they finished with 20 turnovers, which led to the Lynx scoring 28 points off of those turnovers.

The turnovers had a profound affect on the offensive rhythm for the starters. Only Shakira Austin was able to muster double digits from that group. The leading scorer today was Lucy Olsen, who had 19 points on 7 for 10 shooting off the bench. Her activity on the offensive end was a bright spot, but unfortunately it could not counter the Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier who had a game-high 28 points and the rest of her Lynx teammates.

Collier made it a point, especially in the 4th quarter to get the ball and put the Mystics out of this game with 11 of her 28 points in that frame.

Mystics drop another one on the road and will now head home to face the Sky on Tuesday morning at Eagle Bank Arena.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/myst...ington-mystics-minnesota-lynx-wnba-game-recap

 

[Washington Wizards]

Report: Wizards interested in signing Kuminga

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors forward was a young and significant contributor last season. And he could be a big help for Washington if he were to sign.

The Washington Wizards are one of the teams that are in line to sign Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga to an offer sheet, according to Anthony Slate of The Athletic.

Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Warriors, who made the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs in the 2024-25 NBA season. He is a restricted free agent, so the Warriors could match an offer sheet. Alternatively, they could sign-and-trade him to another team.

Before anyone gets too excited about Kuminga being a Wizard next week, he is also coveted by numerous other teams. And according to Ali Thanawalla and Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kuminga was also listed as the subject of a possible sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings.

I’m not sure what’s going to come of this rumor. But we’ll see what happens over the weekend. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025...rriors-jonathan-kuminga-nba-free-agency-rumor

 

[Washington Wizards]

NBA Free Agency Day 5: Exploring what the fans think about moves so far

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Also, Happy Birthday USA!

First, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the barbecues, the brunches and the fireworks!

You may be feeling a little … bored that the Wizards aren’t trading everyone or signing people left and right. But for a team that is still rebuilding AND is above the soft salary cap, there just aren’t many moves to be made. We’re just waiting for Malcolm Brogdon to find his next landing spot and then see who, if anyone, the Wizards sign to the midlevel exception.

Of course, there are 29 other teams in the NBA and some are making noise. According to this week’s SB Nation Reacts surveys results, fans believe that the Dallas Mavericks (27 percent), Atlanta Hawks (26 percent) and Denver Nuggets (20 percent) had the best start to free agency.

In a second questions, a plurality (39 percent) respondents to the national survey also believe that Myles Turner will have the biggest impact on their new team. Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, effectively becoming Damian Lillard’s replacement.

Here are this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey results. This week’s question’s are focusing on NBA Free Agency so far. pic.twitter.com/NhQrWSsO1G

— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) July 4, 2025​

Feel free to debate the results below.

Finally, use this thread to monitor what happens with NBA Free Agency today. Hopefully front offices and NBA reporters alike can enjoy the day off with their families like the rest of us. But you never know what happens!

---

FanDuel is an SB Nation/Vox Media partner.

Source: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025...agency-day-5-national-sb-nation-reacts-survey