The Washington Wizards have gotten off to a slow start this season. Is it time for them to start considering a rebuild?
After last night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, it’s time for the Washington Wizards to follow suit…to the Toronto Raptors. The Wizards have been in “win-now” mode for the past couple seasons, even boasting one of the best backcourt’s in the NBA.
Despite this offseason’s additions of Dwight Howard, Jeff Green, and Austin Rivers, Washington still hasn’t made any progress towards being an elite team. It’s disappointing to see all this talent not live up to it’s full potential.
Howard has yet to play, but at the age of 33, he’s not one to lead a team deep into the postseason. If that’s their play then Washington is in trouble as a franchise. The Wizards have become the 2014-2017 “Toronto Raptors” of the Eastern Conference, except their kryptonite is themselves.
Let’s face it, the Wizards need to either trade John Wall or start a reboot. This past offseason the Toronto Raptors realized they had limited potential with their roster and traded for Kawhi Leonard. It was the gamble of the year, but the result is currently a 7-1 start.
Bradley Beal is significantly younger and has more upside than Wall, so trading Wall make more sense for the Wizards. If they can find a trade partner for Wall, the team can focus on contending in the Eastern Conference in a few years or sooner depending on the package they receive. Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets are franchises that can offer talented assets.
It may be difficult to obtain a superstar caliber player like Leonard, but the Wizards can at least start the process if they want to be taken seriously. After a 1-6 start the team seems to be getting comfortable in the basement of the Eastern Conference.
Either pivot and make a quick turnaround or call Masai Ujiri and figure out what he did. Something has to change quickly, otherwise it’s just going to get uglier.