Monte Morris

[{"selector":"#anim-86968e1e-06fb-4d8b-b35c-182ee13f5890 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-52.08166492533266%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-267b2216-b2a0-4ad4-b856-b445e7f0dc5b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-985bf1ad-55ee-49cc-b0a1-64fded44f5a0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.26873%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Wizards and Nuggets are nearing an agreement on a trade that would send point guard Monte Morris and wing Will Barton to Washington in exchange for swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and point guard Ish Smith

[{"selector":"#anim-44cefb51-a9cc-4657-b975-c535f33142d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(4.030759132878838%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e8b2486-fd87-42b4-882f-c589efe6b9ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4074a7c6-3266-4b35-bb43-aa388d63687a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms the terms reported by Charania, adding that the two teams are in the process of finalizing a deal.

[{"selector":"#anim-41ee1c38-0d94-4382-abd8-a87917cfc56c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.214352991756293%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e3eb6688-2ff7-4c45-8bc2-e57cbbd895d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39fbb9cc-04de-4e38-a5b0-e9dba5ea9f37","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Wizards, who had previously been linked to Morris, will get a much-needed point guard upgrade in the trade

[{"selector":"#anim-55bd0e8c-2ab0-4f77-9311-00f5284300ac [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.531453534457117%, 8.163902557717355%) scale(1.381679389312977)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-69f9a11e-0138-4e5b-817d-2fdc25020548","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ebe9cbc-ab90-4c89-9436-697d712e08c9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.90347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Adding a player who was considered one of the NBA’s best backups before being thrust into a starting role last season as Jamal Murray recovered from ACL surgery.

[{"selector":"#anim-3415fc64-e767-48e8-86f0-b0fc3959c5ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(5.6811810108137735%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-101a178f-e6a3-48d2-a50d-b4032a7b9926","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3716c889-2452-4178-b904-7e8bf1ff5ccf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In his first year as a full-time starter, Morris averaged 12.6 PPG, 4.4 APG, and 3.0 RPG on .484/.395/.869 shooting in 75 games (29.9 MPG).

[{"selector":"#anim-4c699a29-e27b-4ff3-a8d9-d05d6c737fc7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.4502536429104005%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54c7ea33-6013-45a5-9e93-533267b89ebf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e4b56ee-b7b9-4e29-a24f-8e10f4aeb39a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.92668%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Washington will also acquire Barton, a solid shooter and scorer who has averaged 14.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.3 APG with a .362 3PT% in 479 regular season games for the Nuggets since arriving in Denver in 2015.

[{"selector":"#anim-591ca5a4-bc39-4e85-8df6-15d920b13699 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.07352876620367255%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eff4bc7f-91c4-4250-971b-f364211e96f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-047deee1-26a4-4862-b401-f10dd18ca40b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is very familiar with both players, having previously served as a Nuggets assistant.

[{"selector":"#anim-a7749d9d-1b7f-4e88-afde-361dd21bd209 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.2532903929852175%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-141ce4a8-2484-4659-9195-184a84563f30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e3d39c21-bf14-4612-9144-db0bd1c8e1e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The move reduces the likelihood of the Wizards seriously pursuing a point guard like Tyus Jones in free agency or Malcolm Brogdon via trade.

[{"selector":"#anim-a800d24a-25e5-4555-831e-bbece4995abe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(15.320644977000875%, 10.428584926826296%) scale(1.3623188405797102)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1e42aca-1010-4bfa-b6e8-2f603dd13867","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c0f8d8b-f58b-4675-9104-2eca48654b4d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.90347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Meanwhile, the Nuggets will add a player they had been targeting since the trade deadline in Caldwell-Pope, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef8a8834-6da8-4a20-b178-85991c097db7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.6356470887363466%, 14.46371959856609%) scale(1.3623188405797102)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b74cbdbe-8b45-43d6-97fc-92408e33aee6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8095da82-c6e2-4e48-8645-9b58f66001c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.92668%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Singer says Denver views Caldwell-Pope as a two-way upgrade on the wing, values his championship experience with the Lakers, and would be interested in retaining him beyond next season.

[{"selector":"#anim-c57f845a-3943-4a08-85c1-607392ad6261 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.36017764884955383%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a8e0ebc-eb22-42d9-a736-f50dd26956b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70f914c3-44a9-41e6-935f-6af08a8e168a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Caldwell-Pope, 29, averaged 13.2 PPG and made 39.0% of his three-pointers for the Wizards in 2021/22, while playing his usual strong defense.

[{"selector":"#anim-66e0e049-3a3d-4ddc-a95c-d29bab5e8a8a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.87143088840376%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52e60692-6943-4e9b-a3a6-d43c34f10f8e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0fc5d376-6097-454d-8560-caa059b62bed","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.90347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As for Smith, he’ll provide depth at point guard for a Nuggets team that should have Murray back this fall and saw Bones Hyland enjoy a breakout season as a rookie.

[{"selector":"#anim-eda0330a-f588-469b-b284-08756e440880 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(24.586393433687544%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ebc9c04-6b48-4b51-9006-a630173ff41e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d125b02b-52f4-4b1e-8c64-8efabe366188","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.99200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Assuming Smith plays in at least one game for Denver, it’ll be his 13th NBA team, breaking a league record, tweets Matt Williams of ESPN.