Washington Wizards DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton (ankle) might be available for a pair of games before preseason finishes. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers believes Middleton could be ready for the team's final two preseason games, although he's added that there is "no guarantee" regarding his availability. Milwaukee completes its preseason slate next week against Chicago and Dallas, with the games scheduled for Monday and Thursday. Middleton had surgeries on both ankles in the offseason and hasn't yet participated in full practices during training camp and preseason.

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (thumb) underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. The 31-year-old was traded to Washington during the offseason after averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 41.2% shooting from deep with the Blazers in 2023-24. Unfortunately, he was limited to only 39 games. Without question, Brogdon is a force whenever he's on the floor. However, his injury woes over the years make him a risky fantasy option. That won't change until he proves he can stay healthy.

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (hand) suffered an injury on his shooting hand during Saturday's practice. Wizards' head coach Brian Keefe says that Brogdon is headed back to D.C. to get testing done on his hand. That being said, Brogdon won't be available for Sunday's preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The team is likely going to be cautious with the oft-injured guard, so it wouldn't be shocking for him to miss some time. Hopefully this is a minor issue as Brogdon was expected to take on a significant role in the Wizards rotation this upcoming season.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart is reportedly on the New York Knicks' radar. It's unknown how serious New York is about acquiring the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. It's also not clear how the Knicks would orchestrate such a move, considering the financial ramifications. However, Smart has a lot to offer any club that has him on the roster. Besides his defensive prowess, Smart is known for his leadership in the locker room. The 30-year-old is also capable offensively, averaging 10.7 points over the years, including a career-high 14.5 points in 2023-24, his first season in Memphis. Unfortunately, Smart has had issues staying healthy, logging 61 games or fewer in six of his 10 seasons since entering the league in 2014. It's important to note that other teams were rumored to be interested in Smart in the last few months, but nothing came of it. With that in mind, Smart's offensive ceiling would presumably decrease in New York, especially since the team features Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, among others.

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole is seen as the team's starting point guard and main ballhandler this season. Poole shared the backcourt with Tyus Jones last term and struggled in his first year in Washington. The Wizards even dropped him to the bench for a stretch in February-March. Poole averaged 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. The 25-year-old looks primed for a bounce-back campaign in 2024-25. His numbers improved significantly last season after Brian Keefe took over the coaching position, and Poole will now get a full year under Keefe in a role that requires a lot of responsibility.