The 2023-24 NBA season is only a month away. As we inch closer to the start of the regular season, it’s time to take part in the most entertaining of preseason traditions: making predictions. Here are five predictions for what to expect from the Washington Wizards in the 2023-24 season.
Jordan Poole will average the most points per game on the team
Whether Kyle Kuzma or Jordan Poole is a better scorer is an interesting debate. Both players are dynamic scorers who can put up over 20 points on the board in an instant. Who is or should be the primary scoring option on the Washington Wizards will be an ongoing discussion all season. It will be fascinating to see who the coaching staff trusts more with the ball in their hands with a game on the line.
Neither Kuzma nor Poole has been a primary option on offense before in their careers. How they respond to an expanded role will be fun to watch. It is reasonable to expect that both players will struggle with efficiency throughout the season. Yet, due to the sheer volume of touches, they should both easily average over 20 points per game, as they did last season.
However, Poole is more likely to average over 25 points compared to Kuzma. Poole has more ways to score as he is better at getting to the rim and the free-throw line. He is also a slightly better three-point shooter than Kuzma. And, as a guard, he will be initiating the offense more, even if he is playing next to Tyus Jones or Delon Wright. Bringing the ball up and running more pick & rolls will give Poole more scoring opportunities. This might hurt his percentages from the field, but he should have no problem finishing the season with the most points per game on the team.