Orlando Magic facing stiff competition for league’s best coaches

Uncertain future

7. Washington Wizards

To be fair, the Washington Wizards’ job is not a bad one, especially when there is the chance to coach two stars in Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. But it is also the job with the most uncertainty.

The Washington Wizards lost in the first round to the Philadelphia 76ers in a quick five games, but there is usually a saying about the fringe playoff teams. The team is either on the way up or on the way out of the playoffs altogether.

As young Eastern Conference teams continue to get better, the question the Wizards need to ask themselves is whether or not they can get significantly better.

The Wizards’ roster is not built for the future. But as the younger teams in the East improve, it is going to be difficult for Washington to compete.

Bradley Beal is now entering his prime at 27 years old. But Westbrook is now 32 and near the end of his prime. Except for young role players like Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija and Daniel Gafford, the Wizards have to go with their stars.

The Wizards are probably on the way out as the young teams in the Eastern Conference are on the rise. It is going to force Washington to decide to move on from Beal at some point. Beal made no guarantee that he would finish out his contract with Washington.

Washington has to take a serious look at blowing up the roster instead of trying to hold on and trying to avoid the inevitable. Whoever their next coach is, it is going going to be in for a rebuild, but it is going to up to the Wizards for how long they want to try to avoid it.