White Magic falls back into old habits! Even with an Eastern Conference bottom team, he was DNP: Issues with training and game attitude

On December 9th Beijing time, in the Wizards’ recent game versus the Hawks, "White Magic" Whitmore faced his first DNP since joining the Wizards, not getting any playing time, which caused a stir. However, multiple sources told American media RG that these factors were not the core of Washington Wizards’ evaluation of him.

Within the team, management’s concerns center on his daily practice performance. This season, the team started poorly with a 3-19 record, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.The Wizards are focused on establishing solid training habits and a unified game attitude among their young roster, but Whitmore has consistently failed to meet these team expectations steadily.

“If you want to establish yourself in the NBA, you have to take every practice seriously,” a source told RG.

Coach’s public remarks align with internal concerns

Wizards head coach Keefe recently made comments that, without revealing the exact reason for Whitmore’s absence, also reflected the team’s stance. When asked why Whitmore didn’t play, Keefe pointed directly to the team’s internal standards.

“We have clear standards and expectations within our team,” Keefe said, “He needs to improve in those areas. He still has a chance here, but whether he seizes it is up to him.”

Keefe also added that more details would be handled internally. His statements align with what sources described as the Wizards’ core focus: accountability, consistency, and daily training habits.

Washington Post sports reporter Shankar analyzed Whitmore’s performance in the final moments against the Celtics, highlighting his lack of defensive effort and insufficient intensity in multiple possessions. Shankar also noted that although the Wizards are in a rebuilding phase this season, the team still emphasizes maintaining proper tactical execution during games.

Whitmore’s recurring issues continue with the Wizards

Whitmore’s talent has never been questioned, but debates about his consistency date back to his time with the Houston Rockets. Despite his exceptional athleticism and scoring potential, he has struggled to earn steady playing time, leaving outsiders curious why his opportunities haven’t increased.

This problem has persisted into his first season with the Wizards.

In July 2025, during a three-team trade, the Houston Rockets sent Whitmore to the Washington Wizards in exchange for two second-round picks — one from the Chicago Bulls in 2026 and another from the Sacramento Kings in 2029. For Whitmore, a Maryland native, this trade offered a clearer path for development and was widely seen as a win-win deal.

Riley seizes opportunity to step up

As Whitmore’s role diminished, rookie forward Will Riley earned his chance and made the most of his increased playing time. Over the past three games, Riley has averaged 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, providing abundant energy, active off-ball movement, and consistent offensive contributions.

Riley’s attitude on the court stands out. His steadiness in practice and ability to integrate into the team’s system have helped him secure a spot in the Wizards’ rotation, while the team continues to evaluate this young core group.

The Wizards acquired Riley during the 2025 NBA Draft night trade: they moved down from the 18th pick to the 21st to select him, while also gaining additional draft assets including the 43rd pick and future second-round selections. Riley’s early strong performance validates the wisdom of this move.

Looking ahead

So far this season, Whitmore has averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 21 games. The Wizards continue to evaluate players based on daily practice performance, internal standards, and long-term development goals. With Riley’s rise, competition for playing time has intensified, and the coaching staff maintains clear expectations for this young roster.

For Whitmore, opportunities still exist. The key now is whether he can meet the Wizards’ standards and regain a spot in the rotation through the consistency the team values.