We are only a month away from the start of NBA training camps. Once teams regroup for training camp, they only have a few days before the preseason games begin. Most teams, including the Washington Wizards, will play four preseason games before the regular season starts on October 24th. The Wizards announced their preseason schedule last week.
Unlike last season when the Washington Wizards traveled to Japan for preseason games versus the Golden State Warriors, the team will not be traveling overseas. Instead, they will play two home and two away games.
Despite not traveling internationally, the Wizards will host an international team when they take on the Cairns Taipans of the Australian National Basketball League in their first preseason game. This game on October 10th, as well as the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 12th, will be in Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The full preseason schedule for the Wizards is as follows:
Oct. 10 vs. Cairns Taipans
Oct. 12 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Oct. 18 at New York Knicks
Oct. 20 at Toronto Raptors
After the last preseason game, the Wizards will have a few days to regroup before they head to Indiana to face the Pacers in their season opener on October 25th.
However, before that date, the Wizards have an important decision to make. October 23rd is the last day to make any roster moves. Washington currently has 16 guaranteed contracts on the roster, so they will need to cut or trade a player before that date.
The preseason will provide an excellent opportunity to watch players the Wizards fans may not get a chance to see throughout the season. Teams usually play a bigger rotation with all young players and two-way contracts getting a chance to make their case to earn regular-season minutes. We will be tuning in to see if anything changes in the projected lineups and rotations ahead of the season.