7 Questions for the New-Look Washington Wizards

6.     Are the Washington Wizards a better team than last season?

With all that being said, how will all these new changes translate when it comes to wins? The Wizards finished 34-38, a winning percentage of .472. Applying that to a full 82-game season, the Wizards were on pace to win about 38 games. PointsBet currently has the Wizards over/under 2021-22 win total set at 34.5.

So will the Wizards win more than 35, let alone 38 games, next season? There’s reason to think so.

Like any season, much of this will come to health, luck, and how long it takes for Wes Unseld Jr. to build the culture he wants to in D.C. Additionally, the Eastern Conference improved across the board this summer. The Pacers hired Rick Carlisle and expect TJ Warren to return. LaMelo Ball has a year of experience under his belt, the addition of our beloved Kelly Oubre Jr. and an exciting rookie in James Bouknight. Do we even have to mention Chicago?

As a team, I think there’s no doubt the Wizards are better this season, for all the reasons written above—but it remains to be seen if that translates to more wins. At the end of the day, it’s a make-or-miss league, and while the Wizards are much improved in the shooting department, the shots still have to go in, and opponents still have to miss.

This is a roster capable of finishing over .500 on paper. They should be a lock for the play-in and could end up fighting for the 6-seed. If you ask me, I’m easily betting the over.

7.     What does this mean for Bradley Beal’s future?

If this Wizards’ offseason has shown us anything, it’s that financial flexibility is the best asset to have going forward. Superstars impact winning more than anything else. They are the difference between a second-round exit and an NBA championship. But without an ability (or at least a willingness) to spend, it’s hard to build a contender in this league.

This iteration of the Wizards is not a “contender” in the traditional sense, and Bradley Beal is not the same kind of superstar that Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven himself to be. That doesn’t mean he can’t impact a game the same way (we’ve seen him score 60 points in a game), but he hasn’t elevated a team the way a player like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have.

Though, I have complete faith that this will be Beal’s best season yet.

But because Washington, D.C. doesn’t attract free agents like other big market teams and because Ted Leonsis doesn’t appear willing to spend the same way Joe Lacob or Joseph Tsai do, there are inherent limitations with this roster.  They won’t be in the conference finals this year, let alone the NBA finals (and I welcome the opportunity to be wrong here)—so it’s fair to wonder if extending Bradley Beal is in the best interest of either party.

Don’t get me wrong. I want him to retire as a Washington Wizard. I never want to see him in another jersey. But practically speaking, if the goal is to win an NBA championship, are the Wizards on that path? Even with the successes of this trade?

In the end, that’s what all these questions point to. What are we doing if we aren’t positioning ourselves for a trip to the NBA Finals?

Only time will tell. No matter what, the Wizards are on a path forward, and there’s a lot to be excited about.