Wizards timeline to contend is obviously linked to their biggest problem

The Washington Wizards have not made the playoffs since 2021, but they are only in year two of a total rebuild. It was not until the franchise traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis that the teardown was in full swing. The Wizards are now focused on stockpiling young talent and draft picks.

Bilal Coulibaly has drawn mixed reviews as this front office’s first draft choice. It will be a slow process in the nation’s capital, which has left fans wondering when they will be ready to contend.

Washington’s chance to contend is directly related to Jordan Poole’s contract. It is one of the worst in the NBA and will be stuck on the Wizards’ books for years, but the franchise should be in prime position when it fades off their books.

Jordan Poole’s contract is directly linked to the Wizards' contention timeline

Poole was inefficient and ineffective last season. He produced the second-worst win shares per 48 minutes in the NBA and the fourth-worst value over replacement player (VORP). Poole was a disaster and still has $95.5 million left on his contract over the next three years. He takes up roughly 20 percent of the salary cap each season.

The Wizards had three first-round draft picks in 2024 and one is already drawing comparisons to an All-Star. They have six players 22 or younger on their roster and are clearly building for the future. In three years, Washington will have added multiple draft picks and should have enough talent to jump back into contention.

Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jonas Valanciunas are likely to be traded at some point this season. It will clear minutes for their young talent and allow the Wizards to pick up more draft capital. Washington needs talent before worrying about fit and who to build around.

Jordan Poole will come off their books in the 2027 offseason if not before. By that point, Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington will be in their mid-20s and inches from their prime. It will be time for the Wizards to add pieces and push towards contention. That means three long seasons for fans, but the goal is to have a serious title contender on the other side of the rebuild.

It is never easy, but the Washington Wizards are taking the right approach. They must connect in the draft and maximize their trade returns. Neither is a given, but fans should have faith. The front office has a plan and is sticking to it. That is a start. Fans will just have to wait until 2027 to find out if it worked.