The Washington Wizards have been a hard watch this season, there's no doubt about it.
Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, playoff teams were chomping at the bit to take advantage of the Wizards rough start and do what they could to land the veteran players on the roster the team had surrounded their young core with. Washington's original hope for the veterans they had on the roster was to serve as leadership for their young team and potentially contribute to wins with the right mix.
However, after a historically bad start to the season, it was clear that the team needed to make changes not just because of the direction they were headed this season, but because of the poor habits the team's youngest player were developing with lack of effort, mainly due to disgruntled vets voicing their frustrations with the team's lack of winning (*cough* Kyle Kuzma).
As the deadline approached, it was clear which direction general manager Will Dawkins was heading in as the rumors surrounding the team continued to swirl. And a day prior to the February 6th deadline, the Wizards made their intentions clear moving off of Jonas Valanciunas for draft picks.
It was time for the Washington to revamp their roster and they did exactly that.
Wizards veteran additions already proving to be vital
The Wizards made quick business of reshaping their roster and before it was all said and done, the team had found arguably two of the best veterans they could have that were open to taking on the task of being mentors, Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart.
Not only have both players played on the biggest stage in NBA basketball, but they both landed with different results. And while that may not seem like a lot, Middleton's ability to teach the team's young core what it takes to get the job done, and Smart's experience feeling the absolute heartbreak under the brighest lights is valuable information that each player can share with their new teammates.
In addition to their experience with their former teams, the young Wizards have the opportunity to develop on the court by learning under a former Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Star who had to grind his way to get to that position.
It's be easy to see the shift in the Wizards game play since their new additions have joined them on the court. A new sense of urgency and effort as the team's young players, not to mentiojn Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George taking on increased leadership roles.
While the moves at the deadline may have been overlooked, it's quickly seemed to be exactly what the Wizards team needed for the now and the later.