Just when the Wizards are starting to show signs of playing well together, they are coming to grips with the thought they might be apart for a while after Wednesday’s season finale in Cleveland.
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“That’s the toughest part,” Wizards rookie John Wall said when asked about the uncertainty of a lockout hanging over the offseason. “Just take your mind off however long you take off and rest but get back to your workouts as soon as possible, just to prepare if the season come back early as possible. That’s the toughest thing, that we don’t know when we’re going to play again.”
Ironically, the Wizards couldn’t be more eager to prepare for next season with three picks in the June draft. But with no guarantee that next season will happen, the pool of draft-worthy players is dwindling every day. Baylor forward Perry Jones and Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger are among the possible lottery picks who have said they will return to school.
Not every NBA player has thought that far ahead.
“During the summer, just work out, and when the lockout comes, we’ll figure out what we’re going to do,” Wizards center JaVale McGee said.
For Wizards forward Maurice Evans, vice president of the National Basketball Players Association, this offseason will likely mean more work, not less.
“I’m optimistic,” Evans said. “We’re going to go in and we’re going to get a deal. There’s too much at stake, too much for the fans. … It’s a part of our culture. Football is a part of our culture. For us to not have those sports for issues that could be ironed out, it would be reckless on all of our behalfs.”
