The Washington Wizards head into next season with a first-year head coach and a team full of youth.
In addition to the abundance of young players, the team made multiple moves over the offseason to add seasoned veterans to the inexperienced squad in hopes of contending.
One of the biggest additions of the offseason was the acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the addition of the guard, rookie head coach Brian Keefe has his mind set on a returning player as his primary ballhandler.
Jordan Poole will start the season as the Wizards' point guard and primary ball handler.
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) October 3, 2024
Brian Keefe, Will Dawkins and Poole himself discussed their excitement for what a full season -- without interruptions -- of Point Poole can bring to D.C.https://t.co/HcquPfRg6o
Jordan Poole to retain starting PG duties
Jordan Poole was dealt to the Wizards as part of one of the several blockbuster trades from last offseason. The former Warriors standout arrived at Washington with a chip on his shoulder and motivation to prove the doubters wrong. However, after a season of inconsistency and inefficiency, many wondered if Brogdon's landing with the Wizards would be writing on the wall for Poole.
In the Michigan product's first season as a full-time starter, he averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 41.3% from field goal range and 32.6% from three. Despite the impressive stats, the 25-year-old showed he has plenty of room to improve.
The highs were high, but the lows..well, they were low. Poole averaged 2.4 turnovers per game, and at times, his tunnel vision to score got in the way of the team.
Despite that, Keefe believes that his guard is capable of being more than just a streaky scorer, but a full-time playmaker who can be a part of the long-term future in Washington.
Why hold onto Brogdon?
There was no guarantee that Brogdon would start the season with the Wizards. Many speculated the former Sixth Man of the Year could be on the move again following the initial deal. However, with the season quickly approaching, Brogdon remains on the roster and he could be a big part of the team’s plans this year.
It’s safe to say the Wizards hope to be competitive, but that’s every team. The addition of Brogdon gives them consistent scoring and a veteran who can lead. In addition, perhaps general manager Will Dawkins believes that Brogdon could be the mentor that Poole needs.
If Poole can learn under Brogdon, and put it all together, he has the talent to be a star. And with the new regime allowing him to stay in the starting lineup as the team’s primary ball handler, he’ll have the chance to prove them right.