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We are nearly one week away from the start of the 2024-25 NBA Season! Up until that point, we will be previewing all 30 NBA teams, and today, we are going to be looking at the Washington Wizards, who are clearly in rebuild mode. What should you expect from them this season? Let’s dive into it!
After trading Bradley Beal in late June of 2023, the Wizards saw a 20-win decrease in 2023-24. They axed head coach Wes Unseld Jr. after 43 games before hiring in-house assistant Brian Keefe. Under Keefe, the team defended better and was more competitive–even though they were still clearly one of the worst teams in the East. They also traded away Daniel Gafford at the deadline while holding onto the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones (who walked forr nothing) and polarizing guard Jordan Poole.
This summer marked the second full offseason for general manager Will Dawkins. He traded Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers, finding a way to stack Malcolm Brogdon, an expiring contract, with two first-round picks and two future second-round picks. One of those picks, however, was the No. 14 overall pick, which they used to draft 19-year-old guard Bub Carrington.
They also drafted Alex Sarr No. 2 overall, while selecting Kyshawn George toward the back-end of the first round. In free agency, they added Jonas Valanciunas to a bargain-bin three-year, $30 million deal — which at least one team should find attractive come February. They also bought fairly low on injured wing Saddiq Bey, signing him to a $19 million deal, plus Richaun Holmes. I wouldn’t say I liked how they let guard Jones walk for nothing, especially when he signed a minimum elsewhere (Suns).
Jordan Poole, G – Poole didn’t end last year as a starter. I think he’ll start the season here, however, though had an underwhelming, inefficient first season with Washington. He’s expected to be one of the offensive’s primary options, where he can hope to improve on his middling 49.2 effective field goal percentage from a year ago.
Bilal Coulibaly, F – Coulibaly is still very raw offensively, though is one of the best defenders on this team. The former No. 7 overall pick will likely be tasked with defending the team’s best perimeter player, which he’s more than capable of consistently doing. It’ll be a new challenge, but I trust Keefe’s developmental plan with him.
Kyle Kuzma, F – Kuzma was the team’s most productive player last year, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 46.3 percent shooting and 54.7 percent true shooting. He’s on a team-friendly, front-loaded contract and will be one of the Wizards’ primary trade candidates when February’s deadline approaches.
Alex Sarr, F – Drafted No. 2 overall, Sarr was a polarizing prospect–and became even more polarizing after a disappointing Summer League offensively. He’s a very good multi-positional defender who will anchor that defense, and I think he can be productive offensively in a limited role (space, screen, rim run, etc.).
Jonas Valanciunas, C – Valanciunas may have signed a three-year, $30 million deal with Washington. Though it appears he could be moved by the trade deadline–and rightfully so! He won’t be eligible to be traded until Dec. 15, nearly a two-month window before the deadline.
Corey Kispert, G – Kispert is one of the more underrated shooters in the sport, making nearly 350 3-pointers at a 40.2 percent clip from distance over the last two seasons. He’s going to be a restricted free agent next offseason, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s moved at the deadline if the Wizards aren’t planning on re-signing him, a la Deni Avdija.
Bub Carrington, G – I believe Carrington will function quite well under Keefe. He’s got great size, is an excellent pull-up shooter, can playmaker and rebound plus operated well with the ball in his hands during his only season at Pitt. I’m buying long-term stock here.
Malcolm Brogdon, G – Brogdon was acquired in the Deni Avdija trade. As long as he stays healthy, his $22.5 million cap hit could be tradable once the deadline arrives.
This upcoming season shouldn’t be about winning–it should be about development and getting this ship back into the water. Keefe’s 8-31 record isn’t important–what he does from a player developmental and accountability standpoint does matter. Sure, he’s not an experienced head coach, and this is a multi-year project for Keefe, Dawkins and the rest of the support staff. But what he does this season will lay the foundation for what’s to come several years from now.
The Wizards are going to be one of the worst teams in the NBA. I think they finish 16-66.
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