Sleeping On The Wizards: The Washington Wizards spent almost $200 million this summer to basically stay the same. Some will say that the Wizards didn't do enough to improve, but when you consider the injuries the team has had for the past two years, the argument is valid that the Wizards could be better than expected because they are healthy for the first time in a long time. Wizards forward Etan Thomas is wrapping up his annual workouts this week at Clifford Ray's Big Man's Camp and says he understands what the critics are saying. "We definitely have a lot to prove, to everyone - individually and as a team. Everybody is working hard. In talking to different guys, seeing Gilbert working on his knee, Antawn is working hard; everybody is working hard and getting ready to go." Etan will be returning from heart surgery he had at the beginning of last year, and HOOPSWORLD's Travis Heath will have more on Etan's return to the game later this weekend. To Etan he knows being healthy will matter, not only for himself but for the team. "We haven't had everybody healthy for a full season for I don't know how long," joked Etan "It's kind of hard to really judge us until you see everybody as a healthy team, then you'll see the real Wizards."

Very Funny: Hearing the details of a divorce is almost comical, because it really is about petty behavior. The split between the City of Seattle and the Oklahoma City team is no different. Let's forget for a minute that owner Clay Bennett is writing a check for $45 million this week, and is on the hook for $30 million more. Details of the agreed settlement were finalized this week, and in that final settlement is seems the OKC team will get the flat panel TV in the locker room, and a few office chairs, but Seattle gets to keep the flatware and all the memorabilia. The OKC team does get the right to visit, even duplicate or borrow the trophies, jerseys and banners that will be housed at Seattle's Museum of History & Industry. If it sounds silly, it's not, that's what was agreed to. The Settlement maps out that the OKC owners will be taking 150 courtside seats, 24 office chairs, three flat panel TVs and other equipment that's still being used by the Storm. Once the WNBA season is over 200 CDs, a sound-effect machine, a basketball inflater, some handheld radios, headphones and a replay monitor, will be shipped to Oklahoma according to the Seattle Times. It's still not clear why Clay Bennett didn't hold out for the blender, but you know somewhere you have to give to get.

Got Be Smart About It: Daniel Santiago is considered by NBA standards to be a four-year veteran, despite having played the last three years in Spain. Santiago does his off-season training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, and has been working with HOOPSWORLD's Mike Moreau and ESPN's David Thorpe for the past two off-seasons. HOOPSWORLD caught up with Daniel this week, and talked with about a number of topics. One of them was the Euro-Exodus and playing conditions in Europe. The one concept a lot of people are missing about Europe as a real destination for NBA stars, if that the infrastructure in international basketball is not as structured or developed as the NBA world. It is also not at all uncommon for teams to outright stiff players with regards to money. We hear all the time about tax-free money, cars and apartments – but as Daniel explained it, you've got map that stuff out in your contract, joking you have to make sure it has a washer, dryer, and a working sink. He joked about an American teammate who blew up two X-Boxes and a PC computer, because he did not know about the voltage differences in Spain. Millions of dollars can offset a lot of inequalities, but let's face it, there is a reason a new crop of Euro players cross the pond to play in the NBA. It is the best league in the world, the players that left the NBA this year for million overseas, would never have been considered had they not played in the NBA. The gold standard is still NBA basketball, and if you talk to enough players who have played overseas, who'll hear the same thing. Europe is a great place to get paid, while you try to make the league.

Livingston Update: Shaun Livingston is still looking for a deal. Informed sources say that Livingston may not get a guaranteed deal this year, and that's why he is still unsigned. Several teams have expressed interest in Shaun, and it appears he has some offers, just nothing that insures he'll get a fair chance to play. Livingston has been playing full contact, full court basketball in Chicago under the guidance of NBA trainer Tim Grover, and is said to be getting his explosiveness and swagger back. Supposedly Shaun is dunking the ball and attacking the basket against NBA guys in Chicago. In all fairness, those who have seen him say he's not back to a 100%, but is closer to 75% to 80%. A league source explained that in their opinion, Livingston needs to land with a team that will give him a chance to prove he's able to play again, and not bury him on the bench. With NBA training camp set to open in less than 38 days it's not out of the question Shaun gets a deal - the question is will that deal be guaranteed and will Shaun get a chance to play himself back into the NBA elite. Someone could get themselves a very nice player if they take the risk.