Washington Wizards: 30 greatest players in franchise history

The Chris Webber era marked what could have been for the Bullets/Wizards. After winning the 1993-94 Rookie of the Year award, Webber was vocal about wanting a trade out of Golden State. Despite going 50-32 in his rookie year, Webber wanted a change of scenery and got his wish when he was traded to the Bullets in exchange for Tom Gugliotta and draft picks.

His arrival instantly boosted a rotation that reunited him with former college teammate Juwan Howard. The Bullets didn’t make the postseason in Webber’s first season, but he still produced 20.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per contest.

In 1996-97, Webber led the Bullets to their first postseason appearance in nine seasons. Unfortunately, they ran into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the first round and got swept.

Webber made his only All-Star appearance with Washington during 1996-97, averaging 23.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. In his 212 appearances, Webber put up 20.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.6 steals per contest on 50.3 percent shooting from the field.

By the end of 1997-98, Webber’s time with the Washington franchise had worn out. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe in the 1998 offseason. He would go on to have a solid career with the Kings, even making the 2002 Western Conference Finals.