The Washington Wizards 2022-23 season is upon us. Last year was not a successful one for the Wizards, as they finished with a 35-47 record. This led to them missing the postseason.
This season can be different with the several changes this organization made during the off-season. General Manager, Tommy Sheppard, made several moves via trades, signings, and the draft. This is a new look Wizards squad, which means some new takes need to be made for this iteration of the team.
3. Rui Hachimura will be Traded
The former ninth overall pick, Rui Hachimura, is entering his fourth year in the league. That means he is in line for a potential contract extension. However, the Wizards might be reluctant to extend him.
Rui has not been able to stand out in his few years in the NBA. He has not been able to play more than 57 games in a season. Despite his increase in three point percentage, his averages across the board dipped, alongside his minutes.
There is a chance Rui becomes replaceable very fast. Kyle Kuzma came in last year and took the starting four job, as Rui was out at the time. Now Rui sees himself on the bench with his minutes south of 25 per game for another season.
That is why a trade can be foreseeable by the trade deadline. One option can be the Wizards landing a big fish in Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz. They have shown interest for weeks now and believe they have the ammunition to get a deal done.
The Wizards believe they are ‘firmly in the hunt’ for Donovan Mitchell, per @RealQuintonMayo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 30, 2022
“There’s a package out there that they have given Danny Ainge that has them feeling like they’re still in the race and not far behind New York.”
(Via https://t.co/Z6X8ZlpGlS) pic.twitter.com/z1TeFwCIMs
2. Kristaps Porzingis will Play 66 Games or More and Return to All-Star Form
Last season’s trade deadline was a busy one for the Washington Wizards. They were on the phones trying to move some players that simply were not working for them at the moment. However, nobody expected them to land a former All-Star.
That former All-Star was Kristaps Porzingis. For years now, we have waited for Porzingis to return to his 2017-18 self. Unfortunately, he has been hampered by injuries year-after-year.
This season will be the year for him to regain that form and be truly healthy for the first time since 2016-17; the year he last played 66 plus games.
In his short sample size with the Wizards after the trade, he showed some promise. His 22 points per game matched the same average from his All-Star year. Furthermore, he has looked great this summer in international competition, which is giving us more hope for his first full season in D.C..
Bearded Kristaps Porzingis tallied huge numbers for Latvia in FIBA WCQ, hoping to translate these performances on Washington Wizards next season 💪 pic.twitter.com/Z5XdemkwoW
— Wizards Nation (@WizardsNationCP) August 28, 2022
1. The Wizards will make the Playoffs
As of right now, the Wizards are predicted to miss the postseason. However, there is a realistic world where they make the playoffs. Las Vegas has them winning less than 36 games and barely sniffing around the play-in tournament.
Those predictions might be underestimating the moves made by Sheppard and the comeback of our franchise guy; Bradley Beal. Beal and Porzingis were never able to play with one another last season. Either one barely played with Kyle Kuzma as well.
The additions of Monte Morris and Will Barton will pay dividends. Do not forget about a potential move at the deadline to give this team extra help.
Some teams in the East did get better, but the Wizards did not sit and become idle. They went and made some necessary changes for a team that won 35 games, while missing their best player. Look for the Wizards to make a run for a playoff berth.