The Wizards have started the season as expected (and why it’s a good thing)

The Washington Wizards are currently 2-6, with one of the worst records in the league.

Entering the year, the Wizards had little to no expectations, especially not high ones. Despite Washington’s efforts to retool the roster in the offseason with the additions of veterans Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas, the writing was on the wall for the Wizards to be a bottom-ten team this season.

Thus far, they’ve been exactly that and lived up to what expectations people did have for them. And while fans of the Wizards may not be thrilled that their team is one of the worst in the league, it may not be as bad as it seems.

Washington’s slow start may be a blessing in disguise

The Wizards have been a tough watch for most of the season, there’s no denying that. However, while Brian Keefe’s squad is struggling to earn wins, it may be in the team's best interest to struggle right now.

Truth be told, the Wizards are nowhere near contention. Not now, not next year, and likely not the year after that. Washington’s talent level is not on the same level as the teams surrounding them, not even rebuilding teams like the Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Hornets.

The Wizards need a fresh restart, from top to bottom. They’ve gotten a head start with their picks in the NBA Draft over the last couple of seasons. Between Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Carlton Carrington, there are bright spots on the roster. But not bright enough for the team to completely abandon the start of a rebuild now.

In a pivotal draft class with multiple blue-chip prospects such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and V.J. Edgecombe, it makes more sense for the team’s future to have a poor season in this year of all years.

Currently, with their 2-6 record, the Wizards are projected to pick No. 5 overall. And that’s just in the first two weeks of the season. With teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers currently projected to pick ahead of them, it’s safe to assume these two squads will be in a different position at season's end.

That said, a top-three pick could very well be on the card for the team to select who could very well be their future building block.  And in a year that they own their own first round pick in the Top 10, there's no better time than now for the Wizards to get their pick of their future star.