![]() Next for Beal could simply be incremental improvement across the board, especially as a scorer. ![]() He posted career-highs in many categories outside of scoring and they helped him become an All-Star. Though he thrived in that role, the greater attention of opposing defenses had an effect.īeal did a strong job of diversifying his game with improvement as a rebounder and passer. ![]() With Wall missing 41 games this past season, Beal became the No. His shooting percentages dipped because he was a greater focus of the offense. The more Beal can rest late in wins that were secured earlier in games, the better.īeal’s efficiency numbers could and likely will go up as long as the Wizards avoid major injuries. It would be for the best if that number goes down. But the added depth to the Wizards’ roster, most notably with Austin Rivers as his backup, should, in theory, lessen the load for guys like Beal and John Wall.īeal played the fourth-most minutes of any NBA player last season. The fact he played 82 games in 2017-18 was remarkable, especially given his prior injury history. The same goals will apply for him this upcoming season, though the priorities may have to change. felt he long deserved.īeal did it by staying healthy and adding to his game. The shooting guard had a breakout year that earned him his first All-Star nod and the acclaim many in D.C. It won’t be easy, but that type of situation could bring out the best of some players and perhaps Satoransky will fall in that category.Off The Bench: What Will Dawkins looks for when picking prospectsĢ017-18 stats: 82 G, 36.3 mpg, 22.6 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg, 46.0 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 79.1 FT%, 52.7 eFG%, 109 ORtg, 110 DRtgĢ018-19 storyline: Bradley Beal was already very good, yet no one on the Wizards arguably took a bigger step forward in their careers than he did last season. They want to shine individually with free agency looming, but will have to navigate what is arguably the deepest roster the Wizards have had in years, maybe even decades. Satoransky will find himself in a position many of his teammates are tracking for. He has a chance to set himself up for a solid payday next summer in free agency, if he has a good year. Satoransky puts in the necessary work outside of games to continue his development and he will need to be extra-determined this season, the final year of his contract. They have more depth at both shooting guard and small forward this time around. And if the playing time isn’t there at point guard, there may not be an opportunity elsewhere like there was at times last season. The Wizards could conceivably shorten their rotation and make it difficult for Satoransky to find minutes. Grunfeld has also mentioned rookie Troy Brown, Jr. The Wizards have Austin Rivers on the roster now and he can play some point guard. He is on paper the only other true point guard on the Wizards’ roster.īut, given how things have gone for Satoransky the past two years, it is not a guarantee he will have any sort of permanent role. Satoransky should enter this season as the backup point guard behind Wall. He shot 46.5 percent from three and even threw down some in-game dunks, shedding his label from teammates as a ‘practice dunker.’ He played solid defense on several starting NBA point guards during his run from January to March. The glimpses Satoransky showed when he was at his best this past season make him an intriguing player to watch this upcoming year. So far through two years in his NBA career, Satoransky has remained much more comfortable at point guard, his natural position, and with the ball in his hands. Satoransky has been tried at shooting guard and small forward, to varying degrees of success. Head coach Scott Brooks and team president Ernie Grunfeld have consistently praised Satoransky publicly, but have also expressed a desire for him to develop at other positions. Their signings of Ty Lawson and Ramon Sessions suggest that though Satoransky showed promise, they wanted to see more from the second-round pick before fully buying in. There were times where it looked like Satoransky was emerging as a legitimate NBA rotation player, yet the coaches and the front office clearly thought otherwise. He began the year as the third point guard, took the second point guard spot from Tim Frazier, then served as the replacement starter for John Wall when he was recovering from surgery.īut by the end of the year, he essentially lost the backup point guard job as the Wizards signed several veterans off the street. Off The Bench: What Will Dawkins looks for when picking prospectsĢ017-18 stats: 73 G, 22.5 mpg, 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.2 bpg, 52.3 FG%, 46.5 3P%, 78.1 FT%, 58.5 eFG%, 124 ORtg, 111 DRtgĢ018-19 storyline: No player on the Wizards saw a wider range of roles quite like Tomas Satoransky did in the 2017-18 season.
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