Washington Wizards Predicted Finish, Key Acquisitions & Fantasy Stars

Will Barton (All Pro Reels, Wikimedia Commons)

In the 25th of 30 NBA previews prior to the start of the season, we will take a look at the Washington Wizards. In this preview, we will discuss Washington’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.

Key Acquisitions

The Wizards made a blockbuster trade on June 29 with the Denver Nuggets. Washington acquired shooting guard Will Barton of Baltimore, Maryland and point guard Monte Morris of Grand Rapids, Michigan from Denver for shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of Thomaston, Georgia, and point guard Ish Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Barton averaged 14.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game in 2021-22. He had a field goal percentage of .438, three-point percentage of .365 and a free throw percentage of .803. Morris averaged 12.6 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, and three rebounds per game in 2021-22. He had a field goal percentage of .484, three point percentage of .395 and a free throw percentage of .869.

The Wizards also signed point guard Delon Wright of Los Angeles, California to a two-year deal worth $16 million on July 6 and center Taj Gibson to a one-year deal worth $2.9 million on July 19. Wright averaged 4.4 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, and had a field goal percentage of .454, three-point percentage of .379 and a free throw percentage of .857 in 77 games last season with the Atlanta Hawks. Gibson averaged 4.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and had a field goal percentage of .518, three-point percentage of .395, and free throw percentage of .808 in 52 games last season with the New York Knicks.

At shooting guard, the Wizards will use Johnny Davis of La Crosse, Wisconsin in a backup role. Davis was the Wizards’s 10th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Fantasy Stars

There are no Wizards ranked in the top 10 among the five fantasy positions in   the NBA. However, there are two Wizards ranked in the top 50. Shooting guard Bradley Beal of St. Louis, Missouri played in only 40 games last year because of a wrist injury, and is ranked 36th. He averaged 23.2 points per game, 6.6 assists per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and had a field goal percentage of .451, free throw percentage of .833. Meanwhile, big man Kristaps Porzingis of Liepaja, Latvia shared his time with the Dallas Mavericks and Wizards, and is ranked 43rd. He averaged 20.2 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. Porzingis also had a field goal percentage of .459, three-point percentage of .310, and free throw percentage of .867.

Predicted Finish

Joel Beatton has the Wizards finishing third in the Southeast Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. I have the Wizards finishing fourth in the Southeast Division, but not in the NBA play-in tournament. I have much higher expectations regarding the Charlotte Hornets within the Southeast than Joel does.

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