Orlando Magic Daily
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Southeast Division offseason and outlook

By Zachary Bethel

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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John Wall, Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on January 10, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Washington Wizards

This year’s Washington Wizards are entirely emblematic of the division’s caliber over the last few years. Well, maybe even emblematic of the Southeast’s whole existence.

They are just . . . OK.

The team representing the division in the playoffs is routinely average, sometimes better, and the Wizards seem like they will not eclipse this standard. John Wall is phenomenal, but will the usual lineup and supporting cast be enough to be with the likes of the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers?

Probably not.

John Wall recently said he is optimistic about the depth they recently put together, as the addition of Austin Rivers, Dwight Howard and Jeff Green adds needed help at the center position and bench scoring. With the prescribed downfall of the Miami Heat, a healthy Wall, and a plug-and-play center in Howard, Washington should find themselves above last year’s eighth seed but only nominally.

And Wall is not going anywhere soon with his contract set through the year 2022, so the Wizards have time.

The biggest thing that could derail the team is locker room strife. Howard has started growing a reputation as a poor locker room presence in his last few stops since leaving Orlando. His personality along with John Wall and Bradley Beal‘s old tension could create combustible chemistry.

At this point in his career, it is hard to place Howard’s intentions. But Washington, and a hard-driven Wall, may be the key to some staying power.

Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards /

Washington Wizards

The Wizards, like the Heat, have not had draft picks within recent years make an impact — if they had them at all.

The 2018 NBA Draft included their first draft picks since selecting Jerian Grant in 2015. With the 15th pick, Washington chose Troy Brown Jr.

Brown can play comfortably as a shooting guard and small forward. And Washington intends to see how well he will do as a point guard in the future too. But it will hard to place his role on this current roster with the likes of Tomas Satoransky, Kelly Oubre Jr. and company also pushing for minutes.

The questionable drafting has hurt the Wizards push to get out of the middle of the Eastern Conference and make good on their outsized expectations. The team is still waiting for Oubre to deliver.

The real red flag for the Wizards is in their draft history. The most recent player Washington drafted who is still on the team is Otto Porter from 2013. So how will Washington move on player development looking forward?

Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., Markieff Morris, Dwight Howard and John Wall certainly are the best starting lineup in the division. But will the Wizards be able to finally get past the second round in a LeBron James-less East? Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors may have something to say about that.

And the Wizards, despite claiming to be among the Eastern Conference’s elite, have struggled to maintain that level of play for very long.