The Washington Wizards (9-45) are currently on an eight-game losing streak as the season reaches its halfway point. Interim coach Brian Keefe has made notable adjustments during his 11-game tenure, but the postseason is nonexistent. The future of the Washington Wizards will depend on the last 28 games.
How the Wizards should approach the final 28 games
Continue to develop the young core
Washington currently has three promising young assets in forwards Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, and Bilal Koulibaly.
Bilal Coulibaly
Koulibaly, a 19-year-old rookie, has had a promising rookie campaign in the NBA. The 2023 first-round pick was recently selected for the NBA Rising Stars event during All-Star Weekend. Koulibaly played just eight minutes in the loss to the Premier League Rising Stars, but he continues to be a bright spot for Washington this season.
Koulibaly is averaging 26.9 minutes per game (sixth among rookies) and has started five games this season. He has 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and is shooting 44.4 percent from the field, respectively. Koulibaly has shown flashes of being a solid asset for the Wizards due to that 6-foot-8 frame and his tenacity on both ends of the floor.
Corey Kispert
Kispert is arguably the Wizards' best player off the bench this season. In February, Kispert averaged 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field respectively. The 2021 first-round pick has also had double-digit scoring performances in six of his last eight games.
Kispert is aggressive offensively, currently averaging 4.3 shots per game and hitting 61.1 percent of those shots consecutively. Kispert is a threat to any defence, as he has the ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting, allowing for spacing from other Wizards on the floor.
Deni Avdija
Avdija's jump compared to last season was not impressive. The 2020 first-round pick is fresh off after recording four consecutive 20-plus point performances. Avdija is averaging 13.8 points (career-high), 3.8 assists (career-high) while shooting 52.1 percent from the field (career-high) and 40.5 percent (career-high) from three-point range, respectively. .
The Washington forward contributes greatly to every aspect of the game for Washington, with Advija's confidence and aggressiveness on display every night.
Hopefully Jordan Poole shows improvement
Wizards guard Jordan Poole had a disappointing campaign in his first season as a full-time starter in Washington. In 52 games, Paul averaged 15.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field (lowest outside of a rookie year) and 30.3 percent (lowest outside of a rookie year) from beyond the arc, respectively. .
Paul has shown he is satisfied on both ends of the floor and has shown poor shot selection all season long. On the year, Paul currently has a +/- of -352, proving that he has little to no impact when he is on the floor. The former Golden State Warrior had a poor showing recently against the Dallas Mavericks (1-12 from the field), Cleveland Cavaliers (0-5 from the field), and Phoenix Suns (1-7 from the field), respectively.
Paul is currently on a 4-year, $128 million contract that he signed with Golden State in 2022, making his average salary around $32 million. Keefe is unlikely to be benched by a player who earns this much money and has such a high capital, but Paul's poor performance on the field and Cuspert's improved play off the bench is something to keep an eye on as the season winds down.
The future of Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones and Marvin Bagley III
Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma was rumored to be traded before the trade deadline. Kuzma is arguably Washington's best player, averaging 21.8 points (leading the team), 6.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 45.6 percent shooting from the floor, respectively. The outlet reported that if Kuzma is traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Washington would receive two first-round picks. Instead, Kuzma has made his intentions to remain in Washington clear on social media, and wants to build a winning culture. Washington's front office and Kuzma appear to have a strong relationship, and with Kuzma under contract through the 2026-27 season, he appears to be content with his role and the team's direction going forward.
Tyus Jones
Jones, who is averaging 12.6 points and 6.8 assists, was rumored to be traded at the trade deadline. Jones' strengths while on the floor are in pick-and-roll situations. Washington's guard ranks in the 82.5th percentile in pick-and-rolls, respectively. Jones is also a factor in Washington leading the league in rushing with 103.13 and fourth in the league in transition in transition. Jones recently tallied 15 and 16 consecutive assist performances before the All-Star break. The former Blue Devil Duke survived the trade deadline perhaps due to his level of play or lack of trade partners. Regardless, the front office views Jones as a mainstay, and an extension could be on its way.
Marvin Bagley III
Bagley 3 has provided a much-needed boost of energy since coming to Washington via a trade from the Detroit Pistons on January 14. Bagley recently returned to action after suffering a back bruise that caused him to miss four straight games in February. Since the departure of center Daniel Gafford via trade to Dallas, Bagley is third at the helm.
Bagley is averaging 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds with the Wizards, respectively. Washington is one of the worst teams in the league internally, but Bagley's athleticism, aggressiveness and awareness bode well for the Wizards on that front. Bagley's return is promising, and if he can remain consistent throughout the final 28 games, Bagley could remain in Washington for years to come.
The last word
Keefe will not be the Wizards' head coach after the season according to reports that came out when former coach Wes Unseld Jr. was fired. However, that doesn't mean Keefe won't continue to develop the young core, work with Paul, and allow veterans in Kuzma, Jones, and Bagley to prove themselves with lucrative contracts.
Heading into the final 28 games of the Wizards' 2023-2024 season is crucial to his future, but his first stop is a date with defending champion Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
