Washington Wizards: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

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Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images /

1. The Wizards will be the No. 1 seed in the East

The Washington Wizards had a legitimate shot at the No. 1 seed late last season, but a few losses down the stretch squandered that opportunity. March and April were rough as the team went 14-10 over in their 24 final games.

The Wizards were scrambling for help off the bench as last season’s trade deadline approached. Luckily for them, Bojan Bogdanovic fell in their laps from the Brooklyn Nets and Brandon Jennings was a free agent when he was. Unfortunately, both players are gone now.

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Entering this season, there’s a big reason for optimism with the newest additions to the bench. This offseason wasn’t one where the Washington Wizards signed any big-name free agents, but they signed some solid veterans who should get them over the hump in 2017-18.

Jodie Meeks is a solid addition to backup Bradley Beal at the shooting guard spot. Tim Frazier is a solid backup to John Wall. Mike Scott is a solid big to have, especially if the team wants to play small-ball.

The lack of a big man off the bench next to Jason Smith really hurt the Washington Wizards throughout the regular season. The Wizards went the safe route though and got some help, especially if Ian Mahinmi is injured again this season.

With Wall and Beal leading the way, I’m a firm believer this team could finish with the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed. Granted, they still have to get through LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they didn’t look too intimidated last season.

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They lost in overtime in one meeting, 140-135, and won their last meeting of the season, 127-115.

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