Washington
Wizardry in the NBA Finals: Ex-Washington players appear in eight straight championship series
For the better part of the past decade, one team has remained a constant in the NBA Finals. No, not the Golden State Warriors.
It’s the Washington Wizards.
Pointed out by esquiresports on TikTok, Washington — a team which hasn’t won a title since 1978 — has managed to have a former player on each of the past seven NBA championship teams.
The trend will continue this season as either Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford or Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Gafford was acquired by the Wizards from the Chicago Bulls in March 2021 as part of a three-team trade that also included the Celtics. The Mavs acquired Gafford from the Wizards in February 2024 for Richaun Holmes and draft compensation.
In February 2022, Dallas sent Porzingis and a second-round pick to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. He landed in Boston thanks to a three-team deal between the Celtics, Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies in June 2023.
Somehow, all roads have led out of the nation’s capital and onto a championship roster. Here’s each player’s individual route:
Jeff Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ish Smith, Thomas Bryant
How they got to Washington: Green joined the Wizards ahead of the 2018-19 season, signing a one-year deal after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the same offseason, Bryant was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith’s path to Washington involved signing a two-year deal for the 2019-21 seasons, marking his 11th team in eight seasons. Caldwell-Pope’s tenure with the Wizards was short-lived. He spent the 2021-22 season in Washington after being acquired from the Lakers as part of the blockbuster Russell Westbrook deal.
How they got to Denver: Green signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Nuggets in August 2021, bringing his veteran presence and playing experience to a young Denver squad. Notably, Green played the sixth-most regular-season games (1,107) before winning his first championship in 2023, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Caldwell-Pope and Smith were traded to the Nuggets in 2022, in exchange for Monte Morris and Will Barton, strengthening Denver’s backcourt. After starting the season in Los Angeles, Bryant’s time in Denver began in February 2023, when he was dealt by the Lakers. He appeared in 18 regular-season games and one playoff game for the Nuggets.
2022 Golden State Warriors
Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Chris Chiozza
How they got to Washington: Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards in January 2019. Though he had stints with two G-League teams throughout the year, he re-signed with the Wizards in December 2019.
After helping the Georgetown Hoyas acquire a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, Porter Jr. was drafted third overall by the Wizards in 2013.
Chiozza went undrafted in 2018 and began his career with Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. He signed a two-way contract to split time between the Wizards and the Go-Go in October 2019.
How they got to Golden State: Payton was selected 15th overall by the Raptors 905 in the 2021 NBA G League draft, where he earned the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award. He then signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors in April. He was waived before the regular season and re-signed with the team in October.
Golden State signed Porter Jr., who was a free agent, in August 2021. Chiozza signed a two-way deal with the team that same month.
Bobby Portis
How he got to Washington: In 2019, the Wizards traded the aforementioned Porter Jr. to the Bulls for Portis and Jabari Parker, along with a protected 2023 second-round draft pick.
How he got to Milwaukee: Portis became a free agent when the New York Knicks declined his $15.75 million team option for the 2020-21 season. In November 2020, he agreed on a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the Bucks.
2020 Los Angeles Lakers
JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris
How they got to Washington: McGee was selected 18th overall by the Wizards in the 2008 NBA draft.
In 2016, the Phoenix Suns dealt Morris to Washington for DeJuan Blair, Kris Humphries and a 2016 first-round draft pick.
In July 2018, Howard signed a two-year, $11 million free agent deal with the Wizards after the Brooklyn Nets finalized a contract buyout with the center.
How they got to Los Angeles: After winning two championships with the Warriors, McGee signed a one-year deal with the Lakers for the veteran minimum in July 2018. The following year, he received a two-year, $16 million extension.
Howard returned to Los Angeles for a second stint with the Lakers in August 2019 after signing a veteran’s minimum contract.
Morris cleared waivers in February 2020 and signed with Los Angeles.
Jodie Meeks
How he got to Washington: In July 2017, Meeks signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the Wizards in free agency.
How he got to Toronto: Meeks agreed to a 10-day contract with the Raptors in February 2019. The following month, he was signed through the remainder of the season.
2017-2018 Golden State Warriors
JaVale McGee, Shaun Livingston
How they got to Washington: McGee was selected 18th overall by the Wizards in 2008.
Livingston signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards in February 2010 before later signing through the rest of the season. His second stint with the team came in November 2012, but it was short-lived after he was waived the next month.
How they got to Golden State: Livingston was the No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft, but a severe knee injury changed the course of his career. After a one-year stint with the Cavaliers where he played a career-high 76 games, Livingston signed with Golden State as a free agent in July 2014. During his time with the Warriors, he appeared in five consecutive NBA Finals series before retiring in September 2019.
McGee was invited to Golden State’s training camp in July 2016 and signed with the team in September 2016.
Both of Utah’s power play units scored in the win. Sergachev scored his 10th goal of the season on the power play 13 and a half minutes into the first period. Peterka scored his 21st of the season, on the man-advantage, in the final two minutes of the middle frame.
Peterka has three power play goals in the 2025-26 campaign while Sergachev has matched a career-high with five power play goals this season. Overall, Utah’s power play has scored six goals in the last six games. That output matches the Mammoth’s total from their previous 18 games (per Mammoth PR). Tourigny discussed what’s changed with the team’s performance in recent games.
“(The) puck gets in,” Tourigny laughed. “But, no, I think there’s a number of things. The most important thing is we’re aggressive. We’re attacking.
“…If you look at our goal, the first one, it’s a direct play to the net and then on the loose puck recovery we take a shot with traffic and we score,” Tourigny continued. “On the second one, it’s a slot pass, a great shot by (Peterka). I think we had that attack mindset.”
Guenther, who is on the Mammoth’s top power play unit, agreed with Tourigny’s assessment of attacking more.
“I think just attacking, less predictable,” Guenther explained. “Shooting it more, I think (it is) just work really. Trying to play like a 5-on-5 mindset but on the (power play).”
The Mammoth made several line changes for tonight’s game and the new lines started to find chemistry, despite it being the first game with these changes.
“I like them,” Tourigny said of the changes. “Obviously (Guenther) got a goal, but Cooley’s line was really good. I was looking at the expected goals at the end, I think they were above 90%. So that’s pretty, pretty awesome. Then I think (Barrett Hayton’s) line worked really hard. They’re heavy on pucks and they play well defensively. I did like (Michael Carcone’s) line in (the) previous three games, and I did like them again tonight.”
When Washington pushed back with a power play goal and multiple close chances in the third period, Utah fought hard against the momentum swing to secure the win.
“I thought we did a pretty good job,” Keller explained. “Weathering the storm as much as we could. They’re a great veteran team. They made it hard on us. They pressured us all over the ice, but I was proud of the way we fought there towards the end.”
Utah’s bench was positive and calm throughout the game, especially late in the third. This helped the Mammoth through the momentum swings. Keller, who had two assists in the win, was one of the key voices for the Mammoth.
“He’s one of the guys who was really positive on the bench,” Tourigny explained. “(All the players) were but (Keller) was really vocal. He was really good energy on the bench. So that was really good.”
Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)
- Guenther had two points in the win (1G, 1A) and the forward has earned a team-high nine points (5G, 4A) through six road games in 2026. He has become the third Mammoth skater to reach the 50-point mark this season (28G, 23A) and established a new career-high in goals.
- Sergachev has 18 power play points this season (5G, 13A) and is tied with Keller for the team lead this season.
- Keller has recorded multiple primary assists in a game for the seventh time this season and the 27th time in his NHL career. He has now tallied multiple points in four of his last six contests (2G, 8A), with three multi-assist outings over that span.
The Mammoth continue their five-game road trip in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Game time is 5 p.m. MT and available to watch on Mammoth+ and Utah16.
The views and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of the team.
In anticipation of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held April 23 – 25 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, here’s a compilation of various league experts’ predictions about what the Washington Commanders will do with the No. 7 overall pick. Check back weekly until the draft for more updates.
Expert: Nate Davis, USA Today
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (March 2)
Analysis: Is he the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field? Yep. And Washington could need a leader who can make plays behind the line given the potential departure of LB Bobby Wagner, who will be 36 next season, in free agency.
Expert: Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
Selection: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (March 2)
Analysis: At Miami last season, he was easily one of the top two or three players in all of college football. He has explosive power and quickness to work up and down the line of scrimmage. His play is everything a team wants in a high first-round selection.
Expert: Jordan Reid, ESPN
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (March 3)
Analysis: Downs is one of the smartest football players I’ve ever studied. His football IQ, versatility on the back end and sure tackling ability make him a worthy selection at this spot even though a safety hasn’t been drafted in the top 10 since 2017 (Jamal Adams). Washington gave up a lot of explosive passing plays last season, with opponents averaging 8.1 yards per attempt (third worst in the NFL). The Commanders also had a mere eight interceptions in 2025, which was the fourth worst in the league. Downs could help them improve in both areas.
Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Selection: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (March 2)
Analysis: This pick would fade the historical norm for edge defenders with shorter arms, but Bain can rush the passer and is a block destructor against the run. Just a damn-good football player.
Expert: Jaime Eisner, The Draft Network
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 2)
Analysis: Sonny Styles is the kind of dynamic player the Commanders desperately need on the second level. He offers a rare combination of energy, versatility, and pass-rush ability. The fact that he’s already excelled as the green dot for Ohio State proves he has the leadership and high football IQ to be an instant starter and the commander of the Washington defense. Styles wowed with his measurables and athleticism at the NFL Combine.
Expert: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald
Selection: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (March 2)
Analysis: As tempting as it will be to add an offensive player of some kind here, with tasty options at offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and running back, the Commanders instead add firepower to a defense that has to get faster, younger and just straight up better. Bailey is an explosive pass rusher who is constantly attacking offensive tackles. He will never be a strong run defender, but he has long arms (measured at 33 ¾ inches at the combine) and has improved in that area. Bailey is the exact type of talent injection this defense needs.
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Selection: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (March 2)
Analysis: Could Reese fall to No. 7? It seems like a long shot, but if the Bills trade up for a WR, things can get interesting quickly. This is a best-case scenario for the Commanders, who have to upgrade their pass rush.
Expert: Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
Selection: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami (March 2)
Analysis: Bain measured in with short arms (sub-31 inches), but we already knew that would happen. That doesn’t change his tape or the fact that he is one of the top three-down defensive linemen in the class. He would immediately be the biggest difference maker on the Commanders’ defensive line after racking up the most pressures (83) in college football this past season.
Expert: Henry McKenna, FOX Sports
Selection: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (Feb. 26)
Analysis: Dan Quinn was in Dallas when the Cowboys had the inspired idea to convert Micah Parsons into a pass-rusher. Can Quinn do it again with Reese?
Expert: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Selection: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (March 2)
Analysis: The Commanders should be prepared to jump on Bailey should he fall here after his freakish athletic profile was on display at the Combine. Dan Quinn needs this level of dynamic pass rusher who also has rare dropback coverage skills outside.
WASHINGTON – Coming up this month, spring’s most colorful new event: Tulip Day Washington.
What we know:
On March 15, 2026, Tulip Day Washington will transform DC’s National Mall into a vibrant tulip-picking garden beautiful views of U.S. Capitol
This one-day event will take place from 11:15 AM – 4:15 PM, offering a floral showcase of approximately 150,000 tulips; visitors are invited to pick their choice of 10 tulips for free upon arrival.
Dig deeper:
The registration site for Tulip Day is currently down, showing users “This site is currently unavailable. If you’re the owner of this website, please contact your hosting provider to get this resolved.”
Users on social media say the event may be sold out.
Check tulipday.eu for updates.
The backstory:
The event is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and Royal Anthos, a Dutch trade association, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The display of tulips will be in the shape of the number 250.
The bulbs come from the Netherlands, but are being grown in Virginia and New Jersey.
These won’t be the first tulips on the National Mall, however. The Floral Library, also known as the Tulip Library, features 93 beds of flowers near the Tidal Basin. The Floral Library was established in 1969, and is maintained by the National Park Services. These flowers, though, are to be enjoyed only – not to be picked.
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