Despite being met with a chorus of criticism from fans, NBC Sports Washington is going through with plans to replace Steve Buckhantz as the Washington Wizards play-by-play announcer. Justin Kutcher of FOX Sports is expected to named Buckhantz’s replacement, according to Scott Allen of The Washington Post.
Buckhantz has been the Wizards’ television play-by-play announcer for the past 22 seasons. Most of those years spent alongside color commentary by Phil Cheiner before he was replaced by Kara Lawson in 2017.
News broke of NBC Sports Washington not renewing the contract of Buckhantz shortly after the 2018-19 season. The news upset many of Wizards fans, who grew up to the voice of Buckhantz calling games for the DC team.
Lawson resigned last month from her position after two seasons to become an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics under Brad Stevens.
According to Allen’s report, former Wizards players Drew Gooden and Caron Butler will split time commentating next to Kutcher.
Kutcher has worked with ESPN, CSTV, The Big Ten Network, and CBS Sports Network in addition to FOX Sports.
He called an array of games, including college basketball, college football, NFL, MLB, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup since joining FOX Sports in 2012.
NBC Sports Washington had considered several candidates to replace Buckhantz, including Dan Hellie of NFL Network and NBC Sports Bay Area anchor Dave Feldman. Both had ties to DC as sports anchors for various affiliates.
Gooden finished his 14-year NBA career with the Wizards, playing three seasons in his last stint with the team. He has been part of the pre-game and post-game coverage of the Wizards for NBC Sports Washington since 2017, and has filled in calling games for Lawson.
Butler was part of the Wizards’ Big Three era along with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison from 2005-2009. Butler made two All-Star Game appearances with the Wizards, averaging 19.0 points in the five seasons with the team.
He recently has worked as an NBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN, Fox Sports, Turner and NBA TV since retiring from NBA in 2018.
Buckhantz’s impending departure will be viewed as the end of an era for many Wizards fans. He has been the voice most associated to the team for more than two decades.
Cheiner’s removal from the announcer’s booth was equally met with criticism two years ago. Fans had taken to Twitter campaigning for the reunion of Steve Buckhantz and Phil Cheiner after Lawson’s resignation, but it appears those wishes won’t come to fruition.
NBC Sports Washington is expected to fully move on from the pairing with Kutcher, Gooden, and Butler.
