The ground in the Washington Wizards shook at the end of this season when team management decided to fire the team's most powerful man, GM Tommy Shepard. On Thursday morning, reports are growing in the United States that his replacement will be Michael Winger, who until now served as the Los Angeles Clippers' professional director.
Winger will effectively become the club's president of basketball affairs, and will also take charge of Washington's WNBA team and the club's G League development team.
After Tommy Shepard, who was known to be close to Dani Avdija and even made room for him on the roster, now the Israeli will have to build a new relationship with Winger. This is a figure who could have a big impact on the Israeli's future in the NBA.
ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Clippers GM Michael Winger has agreed to become the President of Monumental Basketball, which delivers him full leadership of the Washington Wizards. Winger will also oversee the WNBA Mystics and G-League Go-Go. pic.twitter.com/3ldnt8DhtZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 24, 2023
Why did Washington choose Winger? Ted Leonsis, the team's owner, sees the Clippers as a role model and greatly appreciates Steve Ballmer's work.
Winger has analytical experience dating back to his time working in Oklahoma City, when he collaborated with Frank Ross, who is now part of the Wizards' professional staff. Reporter David Aldridge notes that Winger likes to be behind the scenes, which could be a good fit for current coach Wes Unseld Jr. as both are professionals who like to rely on advanced statistics as part of game planning and team building.
Reporter Adrian Wojnarowski describes Winger as "a reputation as a passionate strategist who knows how to create deals and builds relationships," noting that he has succeeded in turning the Clippers into a true contender in the NBA.
Here are the resources that Michael Winger will inherit in Washington.
A lot of big decisions starting with Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis.
The two have a June 21 deadline to opt-in to their contracts: Kuzma $13M and Porzingis $36M. pic.twitter.com/z3zeX6ReHb
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 24, 2023
How was his tenure with the Clippers? Winger signed on to the team's image change with the addition of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. During his tenure, they managed to win three playoff series and actually went the furthest in franchise history with a Western Conference Finals, but some would say they did not live up to the high expectations with the two superstars.
After firing Shepard, Leonsis said he planned to fill the void with a character coming from outside the organization. The Wizards' search for Shepard's replacement was led by John Thompson, the team's vice president and head of player development.
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