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Creator:Scott Taetsch Credit:Getty Images
The 2019-2020 NBA season starts October 22nd and to get you ready for tip-off, Off the Glass is previewing all 30 teams. Today we look at the Washington Wizards.
2018-2019 Record: 32-50, 4th in the Southeast Division.
Season Recap: The Wizards started the season with high hopes and believed that this was going to be the year that they put it all together. Unfortunately for the Wizards, the year turned into the season from hell. John Wall got hurt 30 games into the season and will likely miss the upcoming season as well. The big offseason addition of Dwight Howard produced only 9 games for Howard in a Wizards uniform. The Wizards dealt away Otto Porter during the season and wasted an incredible Bradley Beal season, where he appeared in all 82 games and made the All-Star team and should’ve been on an All-NBA team, but the Wizards won just 32 games. They were a trainwreck defensively and it is likely that any chance they had of success with this group is gone.
Key Losses: Trevor Ariza, F; Tomas Satoransky, G/F; Jeff Green, F; Jabari Parker, F; Dwight Howard, C; Bobby Portis, F;
Key Additions: CJ Miles, G/F; Ish Smith, G; Isaiah Thomas, G; Davis Bertans, F;
Preview: The Wizards have a new general manager and he has added some point guards to help deal with the loss of John Wall including Washington villain from a few years ago, Isaiah Thomas. They also added stretch big Davis Bertans from the Spurs and he could bolster a frontcourt that is underwhelming to say the least. Bertans should fit in well next to Thomas Bryant. The Wizards will still struggle to defend, but the addition of Thomas gives them some more offense from the lead guard spot. There is also intrigue in Washington draft pick, Rui Hachimura. He will bring excitement to the Wizards from Japanese fans and hopefully silence critics that he felt he was drafted way too high. The most important thing for the upcoming season for the Wizards is that Bradley Beal has just two years left on his deal and there is no guarantee that he will want to sign any extension that Washington gives to him. With Beal, the Wizards have a stud that can help them win enough games to not be at the bottom of the league. Will he make it through the season for Washington?
Player to Watch: Rui Hachimura
Team X-Factor: Roster Decisions
Worst Case Scenario: Bradley Beal requests a trade as the Wizards find themselves slipping further and further down the Eastern Conference Standings. Washington is forced to give him up and start over again with their roster.
Best Case Scenario: Isaiah Thomas is full healthy and gives the Wizards enough punch to help Bradley Beal make them a fringe playoff contender. Rui Hachimura turns into a great rookie for this team and pairs up with Thomas Bryant to form the Wizards’ future front court.
Actual 2019-2020 Prediction: 28-54, 4th Southeast Division