This is such sad news. Craig Heist was a true gentleman who always took his duty to his listeners seriously and treated people with kindness. Everyone in the Wizards press corps (and in all DMV sports teams' press corps) respected him. We'll miss you, Heisty.

Projecting the NBA futures of young players can be notoriously difficult — especially with lanky centers. Alex Sarr is a fascinating long-term prospect. I asked NBA scouts for their opinions about Sarr. Here's a deep dive on Sarr published in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Young, lanky centers historically require extra time to develop, and that makes projecting 20-year-old Alex Sarr's future difficult. What do NBA scouts think of Sarr and of his potential? I asked them for this deep dive, published this morning in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Alex Sarr participated in some of the non-contact work at the Wizards' practice today. That's the first time he's been a partial participant in a practice since he injured his left calf during EuroBasket, Brian Keefe said.

Here's a look at the shooting work at the end of the Wizards' practice today. Tre Johnson sinks a pair of 3-pointers:

The Wizards have unveiled their 2025-26 giveaway nights and promotion schedule, featuring a Kyshawn George bobblehead giveaway on Jan. 2 for the first 10,000 fans. Here's a look at some of the team's plans.

A scene from this afternoon's Wizards workout at Dunbar High:

Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr being introduced to the crowd at Dunbar High:

(1/2) The Washington Wizards will hold their annual open practice this afternoon — this time, at Dunbar High School.

Wizards players have said rookie Will Riley has made a positive impression early in training camp. “He’s a dawg,” Corey Kispert said. “He works his tail off. He plays at 110 percent every possession.” “He’s everywhere,” Kyshawn George said of Riley.

Here's some video of Kyshawn George and Khris Middleton working on their shooting at the end of today's morning/early afternoon practice:

Khris Middleton is a three-time All-Star who was the second-leading scorer on an NBA championship team. Now in Washington, he and CJ McCollum are the old heads a rebuilding team badly needs — wise vets who can still play well. Story for @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Wizards coach Brian Keefe: “I liked our pace today. That’s obviously something we want to play (like), get the ball up and down the court quickly, try to find shots early in the clock. The guys were moving today, and the ball was flying around. The body movement was great.”

The Wizards just finished their practice today. Here's are some looks at their individual shooting work:

The Washington Wizards' trade for Cam Whitmore was a classic low-cost, potentially high-reward move. So, what will be different from Whitmore's tenure with the Rockets? I asked him to find out. Story in @TheAthleticNBA: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Cam Whitmore has a second chance to prove he belongs in the NBA, and that second chance is with his hometown team, the Washington Wizards. New at @theathletic.com, how Whitmore is approaching this opportunity and how it compares to his time in Houston: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

The Wizards will hold a second, non-contact practice later today, team officials said.

(1/2) CJ McCollum when asked to describe today's Wizards practice: "Great group. A lot of energy. A lot of defensive focus: concepts, shell. Competitive, guys getting after it, and this is what you want. You want to embrace that youthful energy. ...

Rookie Tre Johnson speaking about his first training-camp practice: "I wouldn't say anything threw me off guard. I kind of knew going into it there was going to be a lot of defense. It was real competition toward the end. I kind of enjoyed that part."

(1/2) Brian Keefe on why he decided to make the first practice of training camp a defense-focused practice: "(It's) something we want to establish. Obviously, we need to make some improvement in those areas. But we just wanted to set the tone for ...

The Wizards are holding their first practice of training camp right now. Judging by the sounds that I just heard from outside the gym entrance, it sounds like a very spirited practice. A lot of cheering and reactions to whatever is occurring on the court.

Cam Whitmore expected a trade but not to his hometown Wizards. Now that he's in Washington, he has a second chance to prove he belongs in the NBA for the long term. He also sees some similarities between Brian Keefe and Ime Udoka. Story in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Muscle watch: Kyshawn George said he added four pounds of lean muscle mass during the offseason.

Bub Carrington said he was 193 pounds at this time last year. This season, he expects to play at 200 pounds. He's 204 now.

Bub Carrington:

The Washington Wizards' media day, signaling the start of their training camp, starts about one hour from now. The scene here at CareFirst Arena:

Sky-high expectations can feel like a burden. But not to Paolo Banchero. “I think we should be a deep playoff team," he told @theathletic.com. "Hopefully, that means Finals." In this exclusive piece, Banchero opens up about his offseason and the future: www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Paolo Banchero at first didn't believe the news: "'Desmond Bane?!?’ I was like, ‘S---, he’s a hell of a player.’" In this exclusive interview, Banchero opens up about the Orlando Magic's expectations and his offseason of cherished highs and one heartbreaking low: www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

"We have a very clear vision for where we’re going, and we’ve developed a plan to get there," Wizards GM Will Dawkins assured fans Wednesday. But he offered few specifics. So what, then, is the plan? This piece in @theathletic.com explains the front office's plan: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins reassured the team's fans yesterday that the front office has a plan for the rebuild. But he offered few specifics. So what, exactly, is the plan? Here it is, for @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Wizards GM Will Dawkins said Alex Sarr, who was shut down during EuroBasket because of a calf injury, will miss the start of the Wizards' training camp but said the Wizards are "hopeful that he'll see some time towards the end of that."

Wizards GM Will Dawkins said Alex Sarr, who was shut down during EuroBasket because of a calf injury, will miss the start of the Wizards' training camp but said the Wizards are "hopeful that he'll see some time towards the end of that."

Wizards GM Will Dawkins said Bilal Coulibaly, who is recovering from thumb-ligament surgery on Sept. 12, will miss training camp and is expected to be ready to play in games by the first or second week of the regular season. That update fits with the original timetable.

(1/3) In an effort to mentor and teach former players who want to start coaching careers, the Washington Wizards have launched the Coaching Apprentice Program, bringing aboard five people this season for the program's inaugural class, team sources said.

The Wizards will use a special court for their City Edition home games (19 games by my count). Here's a look at the court's design:

The Washington Wizards have unveiled their Encore City Edition uniforms for the 2025-26 season. The team is scheduled to wear them in 29 games. Here's a look:

(1/2) The Wizards have signed point guard Sharife Cooper to a two-way contract, team sources said. Cooper fills Washington’s final two-way contract spot, joining Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins.

Desmond Bane hasn't played a game yet for the Orlando Magic. But he's already feeling the love, and heightened expectations, in central Florida ... ... even when his car breaks down on an Orlando highway. Story, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

In an upset, France was eliminated today by the Republic of Georgia, 80-70, in EuroBasket's Round of 16. The Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly started for France and, in 20 minutes, was held scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting from the field and collected three rebounds.

Bilal Coulibaly led France to a 92-64 victory over Belgium today in the countries' EuroBasket 2025 opener. Coulibaly scored 12 points, collected seven rebounds and blocked two shots. For the Wizards and their fans, an encouraging performance. Highlights here: youtu.be/7heeGJoQiGU

(1/2) Washington Wizards rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins are attending a team-run back-to-school event for students at an Alexandria, Va., elementary school.

The Washington Wizards have stockpiled wings on their 2025-26 roster, but why? And how does that positional imbalance mesh with the team's roster-construction plan? Here's my analysis for @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

"What's with all the wings?" I hear that question about the 2025-26 Washington Wizards all the time — and it's an important question. So, here's the answer, along with my opinion on what the team's overarching issue is. My piece in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

D.C.-area sports radio host Craig Hoffman just announced on his final radio show that he's joining the Wizards' and Mystics' front offices as the "senior director of basketball identity and integration for Monumental Basketball."

Although the full regular-season schedule isn't out yet, teams' NBA Cup group-play games were just released. These are the Washington Wizards' group-play games:

The Wizards' re-signing of Anthony Gill is now official, according to the NBA's transactions wire. The team now has 16 players on standard contracts.

The Wizards will play a preseason game Oct. 16 in Detroit against the Pistons, the Pistons announced today.

Protected draft picks and pick swaps can be incredibly complicated. In the Washington Wizards' case, it would actually be to their detriment to try to reacquire the 9th-to-30th pick they owe the Knicks in 2026. An explanation, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

The Wizards owe the Knicks a protected first-round pick in 2026. Keeping that draft choice will be critical for Washington — but will put a cap on how good the team can be. So why won't the Wizards attempt to regain the pick in its entirety? Story in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...