30 Teams in 30 Days: Wizards Set to Land in Draft Lottery Again

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Re-signing: Anthony Gill, Richaun Holmes, Tristan VukcevicAdditions: Saddiq Bey (free agent), Malcolm Brogdon (trade), Jonas Valanciunas (trade)Draft: Alex Sarr (No. 2 pick), Bub Carrington (No. 14, via trade), Kyshawn George (No. 24, via trade), Dillon Jones (No. 26, traded to Knicks), Melvin Ajinca (No. 51, traded to Knicks)Departures: Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), Tyus Jones (Suns), Landry Shamet (waived)

Unsigned free agents: Jules Bernard

Last season

After shipping off the last remnants of their core the previous summer, the Wizards subsequently endured a franchise-record 67 losses in a season with very few encouraging signs. Among the more discouraging: Jordan Poole, freed from the Warriors, struggled with his shooting (32.6% from deep), decision-making and defense.

With the exception of Deni Avdija, a former lottery pick who improved on both ends of the floor, no one from the young core emerged as a potential building block. Kyle Kuzma compiled some gaudy numbers for a losing team, which was the extent of the so-called positives in a season to forget.

Summer summary

Let’s get to the head-scratcher first — the Wizards sent Avdija to Portland for Brogdon, a pair of first-rounders and future second-rounders. Avdija was under contract with multiple years left and exactly the type of talent the Wizards need to stockpile. Meanwhile, Washington exited the 2024 Draft with three first-rounders, using two on Bub Carrington, just 18 years old on draft day, and Kyshawn George, whose game was developed in France.

The Wizards also removed the interim tag from coach Brian Keefe. Washington went 8-31 after Wes Unseld Jr. was fired, but Will Dawkins and Michael Winger believe he can grow with a developing roster.

Spotlight on

With the No. 2 pick, the Wizards selected Alex Sarr, an athletic 7-footer who was raised in France, prepped in Atlanta and played professionally in Australia. He had a poor showing at the NBA 2K25 Summer League and, given how often the Wizards have whiffed on draft picks in recent years, it was an ominous sign — at least for those who put much stock in summer basketball.

How far can the Wizards go?

The Wizards haven’t advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs since 1979, one of those trivia statements that sounds like fiction. Well, that won’t change next season — there are years of heavy lifting ahead — and the management team of Dawkins and Winger are the most important people in the organization until they find a star.

So the Wizards, as currently constructed, are headed for another lottery spot, which wouldn’t necessarily be a setback if signs of growth are evident among Sarr and 2023 lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly – and the team plays competitively most nights. Also worth watching and wondering: Do they trade Kuzma?

Up next: Dallas Mavericks | Previously: Charlotte Hornets

30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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