The Washington Wizards have reportedly fined All-Star point guard John Wall for "unloading a verbal barrage at coach Scott Brooks in a recent practice session," according to reports by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Washington Post's Candace Buckner. Brooks and Wizards forward Jeff Green allegedly challenged the team to raise their level of intensity at a practice last week, when Wall hit Brooks with a stern, "Fuck you."
Wojnarowski notes that Wall later apologized to Brooks and his teammates, but the issues within the Wizards locker room don't appear to be going away anytime soon. To date, the team is just 5-11 and there have been numerous reports of dissension amongst players, coaches and management.
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(Photo via Rob Carr/Getty Images)
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards have started to "deliver teams an impression" that every player on their roster, including John Wall and Bradley Beal, are available for discussion in trade scenarios. The Wizards aren't actively shopping Wall and Beal, but it has gotten to a point that neither player is untouchable via trade.
Per Wojnarowski:
"Washington's preference remains to reshape the team around Wall and Beal, but poor play among key teammates is limiting their trade value and paralyzing the Wizards' efforts to make meaningful changes to a roster that no longer appears functional together, league sources said."
Washington had hopes that forwards Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre could be centerpieces of deals that could return an impactful third star, but those players have fetched minimal interest on the market. Porter has a massive contract on the books, including three years, $81 million left.
Wall's contract extension starts in 2019-20 and will average $42 million annually for four years, in addition to a 15% trade kicker that will make moving the five-time All-Star a difficult task. Through 16 games, the 28-year old point guard is averaging 20.9 points and 7.9 assists per game.
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