RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 March 2023

• Wizards Sign Xavier Cooks Through 2023-24 Season

  The Washington Wizards are signing Xavier Cooks through the 2023-24 season, reported Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

  Cooks, who is the MVP of Australia's National Basketball League, will join the Wizards following the NBL Finals this week.

  The 27-year-old will become the fifth player from the NBL to join the NBA in the last five seasons.

• Jamaree Bouyea, Wizards Agree To 10-Day Deal

  The Washington Wizards have agreed to sign Jamaree Bouyea to a 10-day contract.

  Bouyea appeared in four games earlier this season with the Miami Heat.

  In 18 G League games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Bouyea is averaging 18.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 35.3 minutes.

• Jay Huff, Wizards Agree To Two-Way Deal

  The Washington Wizards have agreed to sign Jay Huff to a Two-Way contract.

  Huff was averaging 14.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.2 minutes over 19 games this season with the South Bay Lakers of the G League.

  Huff is represented by Michael Siegel.

• Wizards Waive Vernon Carey Jr.

  The Washington Wizards have waived center Vernon Carey Jr.

  Originally acquired from Charlotte during the 2021-22 season, Carey Jr. appeared in 11 games for the Wizards this season.

• Bradley Beal: I'm Patient But There Comes A Time Where You Have To Be A Little Selfish

  Bradley Beal was asked to describe where his patience level is currently with the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have reached the playoffs just once since 2018.

  Beal re-signed with the Wizards in 2022 on a five-year, $251 million deal that contains a no-trade clause.

  "I'm patient, but there comes a time where you have to be a little selfish and draw a line in the sand, for sure," Beal told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. "So, I have thoughts in my head but at the same time I stay in the moment. I stay engaged with what we have and what we do and don't get caught up in noise and just go from there, take it a day at a time, control what I can control."

  Beal was asked if he's spoken with Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard or any former stars who played for only one franchise.

  "We all think the same," said Beal. "It's just our commitment to want to win where we're at, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. We're just trusting the organizations that drafted us. They put that trust in us. They continue to invest in us, and we're just trying to pay that back. We're trying to give them our all that we possibly can, and I love it, man. I don't think there's nothing wrong with it. I take pride in that."

• Wizards Convert Jordan Goodwin From Two-Way To Standard NBA Deal

  The Washington Wizards will convert Jordan Goodwin from a Two-Way contract to a standard NBA deal.

  Goodwin has emerged as a rotation player this season for the Wizards.

  Washington created the roster spot following their buyout agreement with Will Barton.

• Will Barton, Wizards Agree To Buyout

  Will Barton has agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards.

  Barton will be eligible for the playoffs once he signs with a new team. Barton appeared in 40 games with the Wizards, averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes per game.

  Barton is represented by Richard Beda, Drew Morrison and Austin Brown of CAA.

• Russell Westbrook Has Talked To Bulls, Wizards, Heat, Clippers As Potential Buyout Destinations

  Russell Westbrook has had discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers as possible destinations should he get bought out by the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

  The Jazz gave Russell Westbrook permission to talk to other teams about having a larger role.

  Wojnarowski adds that there is no rush for Westbrook to make a decision with the upcoming All-Star break.

  Westbrook could also finish the season with the Jazz.

• Will Barton, Wizards Working On Buyout

  Will Barton and the Washington Wizards are working on a buyout agreement that will let him become a free agent.

  Barton has had a limited role with the Wizards this season.

  Barton started 71 games and averaged 14.7 points per game last season for the Denver Nuggets.

• Quenton Jackson, Wizards Agree To Two-Way Contract

  The Washington Wizards have agreed to sign Quenton Jackson to a Two-Way contract.

  Jackson has averaged 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 25.4 minutes per game this season in the G League with the Capital City Go-Go.

  Jackson went undrafted in 2022 out of Texas A&M.