Washington Wizards Preseason Preview

Last season Washington finished with 15 wins and 67 loses. The team made a coaching change partway through last season, promoting Brian Keefe to the head coaching role. Keefe, who has a background in player development, enters his first full season in Washington looking to rebuild the organization.

(AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Last season, after the departure of Bradly Beal, the team was lead by the duo of Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole. Kuzma, who turned 29 this offseason, likely does not fit any timeline that makes sense for the Wizards the compete during. The 8th year vet and 2020 NBA champion might be seen around the organization as a great leader and mentor, but on a team friendly deal that sees him making 23.5 million, 21.4 million, 19.4 million over the next three years, Washington will certainly be receiving calls regarding the Power Forward’s availability.

Poole, a 25 year old shooting guard, also brings championship experience, but did experience the increase in productivity that Washington was likely hoping for when they traded for the the young guard. Poole looks to return to his 2022 form where he shot .364 from 3pt on 7.6 attempts per game for the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. The loss of Tyus Jone’s and injury to Malcolm Brogdon will test Poole’s playmaking ability. Poole averaged 4.4 assists and 2.4 turn overs last season.

Assuming he can improve his shooting and/or become an above average distributor, Poole’s game should age well and Washington has interesting pieces in the pipelines that could compliment him well. Bilal Coulibaly is entering his second season and last years second overall pick Alex Sarr are just two of seven first or second year players on Washington's roster.

Nothing points to Washington being competitive this year. This is a building year for Washington who finally bottomed out after never finishing with less than 29 or more than 49 wins during Bradly Beal’s 11 year tenure there. Washington owns their pick this year assuming it falls in the top 10, and next year if it’s in the top 8. Their most promising pieces are young, they have a blue chip trade pieces in Kuzma, and Jonas Valanciunas, a big bodied center on a team friendly contract who played 82 games last season. Both pieces Washington could be optimistic to flip for assets that could bolster their rebuild. Washington also has projected cap space next season and another 34 million in expiring contracts between Malcolm Brogdon and Marvin Bagely III that they could use to act as facilitators in other trades that could bring them additional assets.