The National Basketball Association begins next week, and it is once again time to preview every NBA franchise. I will be covering the teams in the Eastern Conference and my colleague, Joel Beatton, will feature teams in the Western Conference. Today we are featuring the Washington Wizards.
Key Acquisitions
There are three new Wizards in 2023-24 that have joined the squad. They are forward Danilo Gallinari of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, guard Jordan Poole of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and point guard Tyus Jones of Burnsville, Minnesota.
Gallinari and Jones came to Washington in a blockbuster deal in the offseason involving the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics on June 22. The principle players in the deal were Marcus Smart (who went from Boston to Memphis) and Kristaps Porzingis (who went from Washington to Boston). Gallinari is returning to the NBA after missing all of last year. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a FIBA World Cup qualifying game for Italy against Georgia on August 27, 2022.
Jones is joining his third NBA team after four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2015 to 2019), and four seasons with the Grizzlies (2019 to 2023). This past season, he averaged 10.3 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and one steal per game. Jones has a field goal percentage of .438, three-point percentage of .371, and a free throw percentage of .800.
Poole is joining the Wizards after being traded from the Golden State Warriors for Chris Paul on July 6. Last season, Poole averaged 20.4 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 2.7 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of .430, three-point percentage of .336, an a free throw percentage of .870. The fact that Poole is not a Warrior is not a surprise, after his fight with Draymond Green in training camp a year ago.
Fantasy Stars
There are no Wizards ranked in the top 10 at any fantasy position.
Projected Finish
The trades the Wizards made in the offseason are rather intriguing. Quite frankly, I like them. You cannot look too much into the preseason, but the Wizards are currently 3-0. If Poole, Gallinari and Jones can gel, Washington could contend for a play-in spot. Right now, fourth place in the Southeast Division is where they should end up.
For FREE!
