With the 2023-24 regular season complete, the Washington Wizards begin the offseason with their annual exit interviews. The team's 132-122 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday marked Washington's 67th losing effort of the year, the most in a single season in franchise history.
Despite the on-court struggles, Wizards players had nothing but positive words for the new-look front office. Team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins left a strong impression after their first season in charge of basketball operations in the District, earning the trust of players and fans alike.
Corey Kispert speaks on trustworthy Wizards front office
During his exit interview on Monday, third-year forward Corey Kispert opened up to reporters about the work the Wizards front office has done this season to create a culture built on integrity in Washington. According to Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports Network, Kispert told media members that players were always informed of trades before the story was released to the public.
Interesting nugget from Corey Kispert: the strength of communication from Michael Winger/Will Dawkins to the rest of the team was huge this season.
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) April 15, 2024
Said that players were always made aware of every trade before the media got a hold of them.
The communication between Washington's front office figures and the players is a very encouraging sign for fans of the Wizards. Integrity from the top is key to the success of a team in any sport. Players inside and outside of an organization oftentimes take stock of the ethics of those in charge when making a contract decision. With trustworthy figures in the front office, the Wizards will be much more likely to attract free agents and extend homegrown talent.
This season, Kispert averaged a career-high 13.4 points per game for the Wizards, shooting an impressive 41.8 percent from beyond the arc following the All-Star break. Washington smartly exercised his $5.7 million club option for next season, keeping the 25-year-old around D.C. for at least one more year.
Going forward, it will certainly serve the Wizards front office well to continue exhibiting the communication skills Kispert described during his interview Monday. While some players may search for a big payday or a hot destination in free agency, every player desires a principled partnership with their team.