About 24 hours ago, the Washington Wizards’ G-League affiliate the Capital City Go-Go claimed Jordan Bell off of waivers. Will he play with the big club?
About mid-day on Monday, there was some potentially good Washington Wizards news. Four-year NBA veteran Jordan Bell joined our G-League team, the Capital City Go-Go, after he cleared waivers.
The Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League team, have claimed Jordan Bell on waivers, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA. Gives the Wizards organization an opportunity to take a look at a 25-year-old with four years of NBA experience.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) March 10, 2020
Now don’t get me wrong, there’s always the potential he sticks around ont he Go-Go for the remainder of the season, or even the possibility that he signs on with another NBA team. The Washington Wizards do not own his NBA rights, so he’s free to sign anywhere.
However, I have been a proponent of giving Jordan Bell a shot for a while now, and never think he really got a fair go in Golden State. He’s a talented and athletic big, and if there’s one thing he can give this Washington Wizards squad its toughness.
I was predicting a breakout last season, in the 2018-19 campaign, where it looked to begin the season that he would be the starting center until DeMarcus Cousins returned. But that turned out not to be the case as he managed to see the floor for only 68 games and 11.6 minutes per contest, losing the starting center spot to Kevon Looney, Damian Jones, and small-ball lineups featuring Draymond Green.
But the big man has just turned 25 not even two months ago, and here’s the reason I saw some potential: Check these per 36 numbers from his rookie season. 11.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.5 blocks on 63/0/68 shooting splits.
That’s pretty impressive, not from a points and rebounds perspective but from an efficiency and defensive perspective. It’s no secret that the Washington Wizards could use some additional defense on the squad, and Jordan Bell brings that in bunches. And the 63 percent shooting from the field doesn’t hurt either.
He could be a very solid backup in this league, and I full believe that, if he’s just given a chance. Enter the 24-40 2019-20 Washington Wizards. With little left to play for this season beyond developing young players, it would be a fantastic idea to extend Bell at least a 10-day contract to see how he fits beside players like Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, and Davis Bertans.
If nothing else, he can outplay Ian Mahinmi and perhaps be beat out Anžejs Pasečņiks for the last roster spot at the center position next year. He’s worth taking a flyer on, I mean who doesn’t remember plays like this.
Offering Jordan Bell a 10-day contract would be a no risk move perfectly in line with Tommy Sheppard’s player preference and stated goals from Sunday’s AMA. I sure hope they try it out.