Michael Winger of The Wizards Talks New Role, Clippers Tenor, Bell, More

Having missed out on the opportunity to interview for a general manager job with at least one other NBA team in the past, Michael Winger Tells Andrew Grieve of the Los Angeles Times He started wondering if he would get a chance to become the chief executive officer in a front office. This was the impetus for his decision to pursue the job as wizardsPresident, a position he officially took on Thursday.

“I rarely think that in professional sports, these opportunities come hand in hand where almost all of your boxes, if not all of your boxes, are ticked.” said the wing. “And I think this is the very rare and fortunate opportunity for someone like me to check all the boxes: ownership, market, fan base, and a really talented team.”

Wenger has some familiarity with the Washington area already, Greif notes. the previous clippers The general manager lived in Baltimore during his final year of law school and often visited friends in D.C. during that time.

“I just felt like if I’m ever going to face myself, it’s time and (owner of the Wizards) Ted (Lyonces) is the right person said the wing. “I think DC is the right fan base.”

Here’s more from the new Wizards CEO about the challenges that await him in DC and the six years he spent in Los Angeles as General Manager of Clippers:

• According to Winger, he’s achieved most of his goals with the Clippers over the past six years, having helped turn the franchise into a coveted destination for superstars. Of course, there is one notable goal that will not be resolved. “I was hoping to win one or more championships in the four years we’ve had Paul George) And Kohei (Leonard)But every team tries to win a championship and does not want to win the championship.” Winger told Griff. “I mean, definitely winning at the highest level would have been cool. What next? That really is.”
• Wenger added that he remains fully confident that George and Leonard are a “championship tandem” capable of leading the Clippers to the title: “I think it’s in my heart that these two guys when they’re healthy can win a championship, so I’m a little sad that I won’t be there when they finally do.”
• Most of Winger’s conversations with Leonsis during the interview process focused on “seeing the big picture” for the Wizards rather than specific roster moves, Greif wrote. The plan is to dive into specific plans for the crew once Winger brings in a second CEO who will focus exclusively on Wizards in a GM-type role.
• Wenger said he was glad he could be there Bradley Bell As the cornerstone of Washington’s list: “His former coaches, his former teammates, they all respect him extraordinarily, and he’s an unmistakable superstar. The hardest thing to do in the NBA is star talent, and it’s even harder to acquire star talent at the level of his personality. And so, I think It’s a very lucky starting point. For me, it’s really exciting to have someone like Brad on the team.”
• Weinger is confident Leonsis will “offer both the resources and the patience” to build the Wizards into an organization with a winning culture, citing Leonsis’ work with the NHL’s Washington Capitals as evidence of his ability to oversee a successful franchise. “It’s just a matter of taking some of those principles, injecting the NBA’s equivalent of nuance into those principles, and hopefully building something that’s solid and sound and attracts good players and attracts a good staff and keeps good players and keeps a good staff and ultimately wins the game.” basketball games”, Winger told Griff.