The Washington Wizards has been the worst defensive team in the NBA since the beginning of the season, ranking dead last in defensive rating. Currently, they allow 124.5 points per 100 possessions, a mark that would be the worst in the history of the NBA. It's also almost 3 points per 100 possessions worse than the second-worst defense in the league. So, the Wizards are basically in a league of their own in terms of their defensive incompetence. And, shockingly, they have been even less competent lately.
The Wizards are currently on a 6-game losing streak, with their last win coming against the Detroit Pistons on November 27. Since then, Washington has allowed over 130 points in five out of six games, with an absolutely embarrassing defensive rating of 130.9 in that span. No other team is within 5 points per 100 possessions of that rating.
It's not like the Wizards played a murderer's row of opponents. Their schedule included the Orlando Magic twice, the Philadelphia 76ers twice, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Only Philadelphia is an elite offense amongst that group. Things could get really ugly for the Wizards when they play against actual high-powered offenses like their next three opponents; Indiana, Phoenix, and Sacramento.
This is not the direction you want to go as a young team in a developmental season. You want to be trending up and figuring things out as the season progresses. Instead, the Wizards are looking as disjointed, low-effort, and undisciplined as ever, especially defensively.
Yes, the defensive personnel on this roster is limited. There is a glaring lack of size and physicality. However, a coaching staff should at least be able to cobble together respectable defensive lineups when they have Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, and Daniel Gafford together. These players are not bad defensive players.
Yet, the Wizards make communication and scheme mistakes regularly. Losing their man on a back cut, being confused about individual matchups, or not boxing out properly have all been consistent defensive errors throughout the season. Some of this may be on the players or roster construction, but a lot of is on the coaches.
The on-court product right now is atrocious. The inability to make up for the lack of talent and size through effort has been deeply disappointing. Things need to start turning around soon before this becomes a historic embarrassment for the franchise.