For some professional franchises, when it rains, it most definitely pours. The Washington Wizards entered the season with seemingly new life behind the acquisition of former Golden State Warrior Jordan Poole. Up to now, the tandem of Poole and Kyle Kuzma has been underwhelming, to say the least. The Wizards fell to 3-19 Monday night time after a shellacking by the hands of Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, 146-101. Most individuals have suspected tanking, because it appears Washington has already stopped attempting.
The Wizards are an outright mess, and the rumors of them being uninterested in Poole started floating round in November. The notion that administration had already seen sufficient was on the market barely a month into the campaign. At this level, tanking is probably going the simplest choice, though it might not be the very best.
Poole’s disappointing begin as a Wizard isn’t even the worst half. The worst facet of Washington’s scenario is that the yr to tank has handed. There isn’t a Victor Wembanyama within the 2024 draft. That doesn’t imply not one of the incoming gamers received’t find yourself being nice, however at this level, it’s a crapshoot. Gaining the No. 1 draft decide in 2024 received’t be the prize it was final yr.
Everybody knew Wemby was going No. 1, regardless of who had the decide. The identical might be stated for Zion Williamson in 2019. Regardless of what we all know now, Williamson was the man each eligible group coveted on the time. The highest three groups in competition for that No. 1 decide subsequent spring might want to do some actual scouting this time. That overwhelming consensus on the high doesn’t exist this yr.
Both method, the Wizards are destined to land a top-three (high 5 at worst) choice within the draft. And as soon as they do, it’s time to explode the remaining in the event that they haven’t finished so beforehand. Get Poole and Kuzma out of city and begin over. Go younger and rebuild with a clear slate. Washington shouldn’t need their rookies coming in with Mr. Poole get together and Kuz as their veterans. Speak in regards to the final setup for failure.
It was silly to assume Poole might are available in and lead this roster in Washington. I used to be a type of fools pondering they may win 25-30 video games with Poole and Kuzma. Boy, that was silly. Successful 20 video games can be a miracle at this level. John Wall obtained a foul rap within the nation’s capital, particularly towards the top of his tenure. A minimum of the group made some playoff appearances and received a number of collection throughout Wall’s time. These Wizards might lose 60-plus video games behind Poole’s management. Chalk it up as a complete loss and transfer on.
