Tommy Sheppard has been with the Washington Wizards for what is going on his 17th season with the franchise. Sheppard was named the interim General Manager of the team in April of 2019. Sheppard replaced the then General Manager, Ernie Grunfeld. Many Wizards fans wanted Grunfeld out. So naturally this move was met positively by Wizards fan. In the three months since Sheppard has been the interim General Manager he has made many positive moves in order to enable the Washington Wizards to have a bright future. So much so that the Wizards have decided to remove the interim tag and make Sheppard the official General Manager of the Washington Wizards organization.
The Wizards had a great 2019 NBA Draft
Tommy Sheppard has proved he is a great evaluator of talent. His team around him is great at this as well. He had the foresight to grab Rui Hachimura out of Gonzaga in the first round. Hachimura is projected to have a bright NBA future and could possibly be a starter for the Wizards out the gate as a Rookie. Hachimura had a very strong NBA Summer League in Las Vegas as well. He is a solid edition to a Wizards team who is retooling in order to be a contender in the NBA’s Eastern Conference in the next few years.
Sheppard was also able to draft Admiral Schofield out of the University of Tennessee. Schofield was drafted in the second round. However, Schofield definitely has first round talent. He was a huge part of the success that the University of Tennessee had last season. He is projected to be a part of the Wizards rotation this year as a Rookie as well.
Sheppard impressed people in NBA circles by grabbing high character guys in the draft. Also, by drafting players that contribute to the team immediately.
Next order of business: Sign Bradley Beal to an extension as soon as possible.
Sheppard has gone on record stating that the Wizards number one priority is signing Bradley Beal to an extension immediately. The Wizards can do so as soon as this Friday, July 26th, 2019. Beal has expressed repeatedly that Washington D.C. is where he would like to remain. However, he could gamble and attempt to make an All-NBA team this season. If he were to do so he would then be eligible for the Super Max. Sheppard and the Wizards have stated that they will not trade Beal if he rejects the extension and decides to take the gamble for the Supermax. They are dedicated to Beal. We shall monitor that situation closely.
Tommy Sheppard Earned It
Tommy Sheppard has been blessed to be named the Wizards General Manager. However, in his three months with the Interim Tag he definitely earned his opportunity. The Wizards look to be in good hands as they do a total front office makeover. It’s about a commitment to winning and building that positive culture with the Wizards now. It is refreshing to see! Now we all will have to see how it translates on the basketball court.
