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Predictions For The Southeast Division In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 29, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Washington Wizards

2015-16 Record: 41-41 (4th in Southeast Division)
2016-17 Prediction: 41-41 (2nd in Southeast Division) 

John Wall will not let the Washington Wizards fail again in 2016-17.

Granted, they’ll benefit greatly from the decreased level of competition in the Southeast Division, but it’s clear from Wall’s comments after the team missed the playoffs last season that he will do everything in his power to prevent that from happening this season.

The All-Star point guard was everything but the problem last year as he averaged career highs across the board with 19.9 points, 10.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals a contest, being one of four point guards to average a double-double for the season.

Two of them were All-NBAers Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul and the other was consistent double-double machine Rajon Rondo.

After years of being a borderline good point guard, Wall has finally blossomed into the talent many believed he could be and established himself as a top-5 point guard in the Association.

Wall will undoubtedly take his game to even higher heights next season, but the questions surrounding the Wizards are less about his abilities and more about those of his teammates.

After signing him to a five-year, $128 million deal, the Wizards are still holding out hope that injury-prone guard Bradley Beal can overcome his injuries and realize his full potential.

They have reason to be optimistic after he averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game last season despite only playing in 55 games and coming off of the bench for 20 of them.

The team also added frontcourt players Ian Mahinmi, Andrew Nicholson and Jason Smith and to help alleviate the load down low for the durable but aging Marcin Gortat, and the Wizards picked up a young, struggling point guard in Trey Burke in hopes that a new environment could help him turn his career trajectory around.

The Wizards will ultimately require better of wing players Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre, Jr. in 2016-17 if they’re going to compete, but this team will go as far as the duo of Wall and Beal will take them — and if both can stay healthy, this team should have a solid year next season.

Next: No. 1