WASHINGTON — Wizards guard Bub Carrington has publicly acknowledged that Washington’s young players were held back while the franchise pursued AJ Dybantsa, prompting NBA officials to suddenly become very interested in something happening elsewhere.
Carrington explained that the team was not always encouraged to become the best possible version of itself while positioning for the draft.
“That’s no secret,” he said.
The league appreciated his confidence.
Washington ultimately landed Dybantsa, making the strategy significantly easier to discuss now that it worked.
Sources say several Wizards executives immediately began replacing the phrase “held back” with more acceptable terminology such as “developmentally patient,” “strategically restrained” and “extremely committed to long-term outcomes.”
Carrington did not appear interested in helping.
The Wizards can now focus on developing their young core normally, which apparently includes allowing players to play as well as possible for all 82 games.
Team officials are excited about the innovation.
The NBA has long maintained strict rules against intentional losing.
Washington maintains it was simply exploring an alternative relationship with winning.
The important thing is that Dybantsa is now on the roster.
Everything before that has officially been classified as player development.
