The Washington Wizards (15-67) are coming off the worst record in franchise history. Additionally, Washington struggled in all aspects on the court last season. The 15-win team was last in rebounds (41.0 per game) and last in points allowed (123.0). Additionally, the team fired former head coach Wes Unseld Jr. after a 7-36 start to the season in January. After overcoming their struggles, the Wizards are moving in the right direction to become relevant again as a franchise.
Are the Washington Wizards heading in the right direction?
Brian Keefe officially named head coach
After Unseld Jr. was fired, former Wizards assistant coach Brian Keefe took over. The Wizards went 8-31 under Keefe, but the team seemed rejuvenated and resurrected under him. Prominent young players such as forward Deni Avdija, forward Corey Kispert and guard Bilal Coulibaly played solid basketball and showed flashes of potential as they matured in the league.
Keefe is known for developing young talent throughout his nearly 20-year career as an NBA coach. The Wizards head coach initially spent nine seasons as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Keefe is credited with developing Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook (all former MVPs), respectively. Keefe then returned to Oklahoma City in 2019, where he was responsible for the development of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (a two-time All-NBA First Team selection).
The Wizards have a roster of promising young players that Keefe can help unlock their potential, plus they own the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, and Keefe’s expertise will be crucial to whoever that pick is.
From the outside, there didn’t appear to be any suitable candidates for the vacant head coaching position, and Keefe always seemed like the obvious choice for a franchise in need of a culture change and growth in player development.
But who should the Wizards select in the draft?
Washington received the right pick in the annual NBA Draft Lottery thanks to a fortunate combination of events. The 67-loss team was in desperate need of good news coming off an infamous season, but who should the Wizards select with the No. 2 pick?
The Wizards need talent on all fronts, and this pick will be one of the most important in franchise history. The 2024 draft isn’t as strong as previous drafts, but players like Reed Shepard, Alexandre Sarr, Nikola Topic, and Rob Dillingham all look like formidable options. Washington needs to pick a player with deep talent who can be the cornerstone of a rebuild.
If Washington drafts Sarr or Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan, the team will need a solid point guard who can play at a high level. Wizards guard Tyus Jones has been solid as a divisional winner. However, Jones is set to become a free agent soon, and the team has interest in the former Duke Blue Devil. Additionally, guard Jordan Poole was disappointing throughout the season, but was semi-successful when brought off the bench late in the season. If Poole accepts his role as one of the team’s leaders, he could be an asset rather than a liability as he was last season. Poole has shown flashes of being an effective playmaker, but his attitude and body language have contributed to the team’s overall approach.
The 2024 draft will be Washington’s first top-two pick since selecting John Wall in 2010.
How much value can Washington get from Kyle Kuzma?
Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has been one of the best players on Washington’s team despite the team’s subpar performance. Kuzma averaged 22.2 points per game last season, leading the Wizards in scoring. Additionally, Kuzma averaged 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 70 games. The 2017 draft pick has served as the team’s veteran leader since former Wizards player Bradley Beal left the team. But what are the benefits of the Wizards keeping Kuzma?
While Kuzma is certainly a solid scorer averaging 20 points per game, his overall impact hasn’t improved things in Washington at all. Kuzma would be best suited as a third or fourth option for a championship-contending team in need of a reliable scorer. Additionally, the former Los Angeles Laker will turn 29 before the season begins and is slowly fading from his athletic prime as he enters his eighth season.
For now, there’s still solid value in a team acquiring Kuzma. Teams like the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and perhaps the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets could use Kuzma’s performance. Moving Kuzma before the season would give the Wizards a valuable asset. Washington’s front office should continue to look for ways to make their team better now and in the future. Washington moving Kuzma would help them do that on both fronts.
Final word: The Washington Wizards are heading in the right direction.
The Washington Wizards are certainly heading in the right direction with their recent moves, Keefe should help establish a positive culture going forward, and the team will land one of the best prospects in the world in the upcoming draft.
Washington has only made the postseason once in the past seven seasons and finished last season with a franchise-low 15 wins. After struggling for so long, the only thing you can do is aim high, right?
