Sources — Michael Winger leaving Clippers to run Wizards

LA Clippers GM Michael Winger has agreed to turn out to be the president of Monumental Basketball, which delivers him full management of the Washington Wizards, sources informed ESPN on Wednesday.

Winger may also oversee the WNBA Mystics and the G-League Go-Go, sources stated.

Winger had turn out to be the rising focus of Monumental proprietor Ted Leonsis’ seek for a high government and takes over the Wizards with a repute as a eager strategist, dealmaker and relationship builder.

After arriving from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, Winger performed an integral half in reshaping the Clippers’ franchise underneath president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and proprietor Steve Ballmer. Winger spent appreciable time weighing the prospects of leaving the Clippers for Monumental Sports activities, sources stated, however finally made the transfer for an opportunity to guide Leonsis’s franchises.

Winger inherits a Wizards franchise that has missed the playoffs in 4 of 5 seasons, one that should construct out a brand new infrastructure and handle troublesome payroll choices on a roster that would want important overhaul. With All-Star guard Bradley Beal underneath contract for 4 years, $200 million-plus, the Wizards should make decisions on re-signing Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma to contract extensions.

Beal holds a full no-trade clause in his contract, which implies the group must work with him on a touchdown spot ought to the perimeters finally determine to make him obtainable in commerce talks.

New Orleans GM Trajan Langdon was a distinguished half within the Wizards’ search, too, sources stated. Winger and Langdon had been the 2 executives identified to have had substantial in-person conferences with Leonsis and organizational management, sources stated.

The Wizards had been conducting a methodical month-plus-long seek for a brand new high basketball government to switch Tommy Sheppard, who was dismissed in April.

Winger has beforehand spurned overtures to stay with the Clippers the place he has labored with Frank and Ballmer. The Clippers reached the Western Convention Finals for the primary time in historical past in 2021.

Earlier than his seven years working as an government with the Thunder and president Sam Presti, Winger was an government with the Cleveland Cavaliers underneath GM Danny Ferry from 2005 to 2010.