Scott Brooks’ future is up in the air as his contract with the Washington Wizards has come to an end. While Brooks has expressed his desire to return and Russell Westbrook has vouched for him, Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard is not ready to commit just yet.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sheppard declined to discuss any decision about Brooks.
“We’re not doing anything about that today,” Sheppard said per Fred Katz of The Athletic. “I will say this: Scottie did a hell of a job keeping this team together.”
It’s hard not to look deeper into the non-committal by Sheppard. However, it doesn’t mean the Wizards are leaning in one direction or another. The Wizards just had their season ended less than 24 hours.
But, not hearing an endorsement from Sheppard means Brooks’ return is no done deal. To many Wizards fans that’s a delightful silence.
Brooks surely helped keep the Wizards team together following a slow start to the season that was marred by injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak. The Wizards righted the ship and won 18 of their last 25 games, including the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs.
Will their improbable finish along with Westbrook’s roaring endorsement be enough to entice Sheppard to re-sign Brooks? Does this season’s late surge override the purgatory the Wizards have stood in with Brooks over the past five seasons?
The decision on Scott Brooks will ultimately be Tommy Sheppard’s. However, he admits he will sit down with team owner Ted Leonsis.
“I lean heavily on Ted for his wisdom and ways we can get better moving forward,” Sheppard added per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports.
