New-look Wizards finally give fans a reason to smile

By: Ademide Shodunke

After the dust has settled since the NBA’s historic February trade deadline, and teams have had a chance to find some chemistry with their new rosters, it may just be time for the Washington Wizards to rise from the pit of mediocrity. 

Yes, that Wizards team that went 18-64 this season. 

Yes, that Wizards team whose defense allowed a league worst 122 points per game. 

And yes, that Wizards team that had the third largest point differential in league history.

As a Wizards fan, watching my team falter and under perform year after year has been a tough pill to swallow. But I remain optimistic: the Wizards made trades this season that have positively impacted the team and, with the hopeful No. 1 pick in June’s draft, are positioned to build a great roster in the coming years. 

I suppose it makes some sense that the team hasn’t really been relevant since John Wall and Bradley Beal led the 2017-2018 squad to the playoffs. They’re a small market team, so it's harder to land big-name players in free agency compared to teams like the Lakers and Celtics, who pride themselves on spending money and landing the best players in the league.

And while names like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrigton, and Keyshawn George aren’t associated with star quality, they do represent the Wizards’ current rebuilding philosophy of developing around a young core. 

The Wizards' current roster consists of young players, former all-stars, season vets, and players looking to make an impact in the league. Since the trade deadline, the roster has been better suited to make a playoff plan in  push for the upcoming season. 

While the Wizards did lose key players such as Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valančiūnas, they were able to gain a lot of assets in return, including notable names like Kris Middleton, Marcus Smart, and a first-round pick from this year's draft, AJ Johnson. 

I'm hoping that the rebuild will result in an era to remember in Wizards' history. The crucial adjustments to their lineup and front office staff coupled with the addition of new head coach Brian Keefe and a renovated coaching staff should equate to success. 

Overall, the Wizards seem to have found a sense of direction in the league. Yes, the Wizards have largely been a mediocre team, and in this era, mediocre teams don't win championships. Rosters need to have chemistry, depth and talent to be successful come playoff time. Despite the Wizards having a few seasons with an unfavorable record, they know where they need to go from here to improve and be a contender in the coming years. 

The future is finally looking bright in D.C.