For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will proceed in alphabetical order, starting with the Eastern Conference. Today, we will be evaluating the Washington Wizards’ offseason.
Past Previews:
- Sept. 1: Atlanta Hawks
- Sept. 2: Boston Celtics
- Sept. 3: Brooklyn Nets
- Sept. 4: Charlotte Hornets
- Sept. 5: Chicago Bulls
- Sept. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Sept. 7: Detroit Pistons
- Sept. 8: Indiana Pacers
- Sept. 9: Milwaukee Bucks
- Sept. 10: New York Knicks
- Sept. 11: Orlando Magic
- Sept. 12: Philadelphia 76ers
- Sept. 13: Toronto Raptors
Evaluating the Washington Wizards’ 2025 offseason:
Additions: Cam Whitmore, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, Dillon Jones,
Subtractions: C.J. McCollum, Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Richaun Holmes, Saddiq Bey, Colby Jones, J.T. Thor,
Re-signed: Anthony Gill, Tristan Vukcevic
Draft: Tre Johnson (No. 6 overall), Will Riley (No. 21), Jamir Watkins (No. 43)
Hanifan’s outlook: Have the Washington Wizards had the two-worst seasons in franchise history each of the last two seasons? Yes. They went 18-64 last year after going 15-67. But if nobody will say it, I will: I like what Washington’s building.
A lot of that revolves around rookie Tre Johnson, who was the No. 4 prospect on my board heading into this year’s draft. He’s a lights-out scorer, a tireless worker and an improving playmaker and defender. Washington’s entire offense should (and likely will) revolve around him at some point.
The Wizards also have a stable crop of young players in Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie, Kyshawn George, A.J. Johnson, Malaki Branham and Corey Kispert, among others. The Wizards also ridded themselves of Jordan Poole’s disastrous contract in a four-player package in exchange for veteran guard C.J. McCollum, a quality veteran who will be good for their aforementioned core.
The Wizards have a plan. I see Will Dawkins’ plan. They have perimeter shooting, a versatile defensive-minded big, good-not-great playmaking, solid positional size, etc.
More work needs to be done, but you can do a lot worse than a core of Coulibaly, Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kispert and Carrington. Count me in on the Wizards! I’ll be very intrigued to see how they continue to develop this season and beyond!
Grade: A-
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I think anyone who complains too much about the Miami Heat should have to spend a week watching the Washington Wizards and commenting on Wizards blogs. After that, you are allowed to come back, and I’m willing to bet with a new appreciation
While definitely not sure of our potential to rebound, I think staying the course until the 2026 draft is the best option, short of some sort of gift trade. Without rebounding, we should be bad enough to land a top draft pick.