Bane Sees Smooth Fit With Magic; Smith Resumes Full Contact; Hawks Restructure Staff; Wizards Emphasize Flexibility; Hornets Weigh Lineup Options
bane-smith-hawks-wizards-hornets-updates
Newly acquired guard Desmond Bane expects his game to mesh seamlessly with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in Orlando. Speaking to Sportskeeda, the 27-year-old said his outside shooting and playmaking should “open up the floor” for the star forwards. He also cited the Magic’s lineup versatility, noting the club can deploy “many different handlers” and “screeners” and has several players capable of scoring in isolation during late-game situations.
Bane, traded from Memphis in June after five seasons with the Grizzlies, stressed there is “no bad blood” with his former team. “I’m rooting for Memphis 80 games out of the year,” he said, adding that he hopes ex-teammates due for new contracts “get everything that they deserve.”
Dru Smith has cleared a major hurdle in his comeback from a December Achilles tear. A league source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the Heat guard is back to five-on-five work. Smith re-signed with Miami this summer on a three-year minimum deal, with only the first season guaranteed.
The Hawks announced several basketball-operations moves this week. Former assistant coach Brittni Donaldson shifts to the front office as director of basketball development, methodology, and integration. Atlanta also hired Mychel Thompson—older brother of Warriors star Klay Thompson—as a pro scout, among other hires and promotions.
Wizards general manager Michael Winger told reporters Wednesday that the club has “a very clear vision” for its rebuild but offered limited details. In The Athletic, Josh Robbins highlighted key pillars of the plan: aggressively pursuing young talent, protecting long-term cap flexibility, and thoroughly evaluating in-house players.
In a Charlotte Observer mailbag, beat writer Rod Boone identified Collin Sexton and Mason Plumlee as leading candidates to enter the Hornets’ starting lineup. Boone also assessed the likelihood of an in-season trade involving Miles Bridges, among other topics.
Source: Hoops Rumors
