The Washington Wizards said goodbye to their chances of playing in the playoffs on Tuesday. The capital franchise has completed a season below its initial expectations and the current record of 34-45 is indicative of a project that has reached its ceiling.
Changes are expected over the summer, but the team’s disappointing season won’t cost head coach Wes Unseld Jr. his job. The AthleticJosh Robbins shared management’s intent to keep the coach in charge of the Wizards’ bench, something that has been confirmed by president of operations Tommy Sheppard. “He is our coach for the future,” said the executive.
Unseld Jr., whose contract runs through the 2024-25 season, was hired by the Wizards to replace Scott Brooks in 2021. In his two seasons since taking over, he has led the team to an overall record of 69- 92, missing the playoffs in both editions.
The coach landed in Washington with the title of defensive strategist, but so far he has not been able to weave a solid defensive system. The Wizards have ranked 25th and 20th, respectively, in defensive ratio in his two years as head coach. In any case, the management has taken into account the injury problems that have affected their main players, so they believe that the squad has not been able to show its full potential.
If Unseld Jr.’s continuity is confirmed, the Wizards’ management will have to concentrate all their efforts on the two open fronts they have right now: the contract extensions of Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, and the 2023 draft, where they are in position to secure a pick among the top ten positions.
(Cover photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
