Washington Wizards: 2018-19 NBA season preview

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2018-19 roster

Key additions: Austin Rivers (trade), Troy Brown Jr. (draft), Dwight Howard (free agency), Jeff Green (free agency), Thomas Bryant (waivers)

Key subtractions: Marcin Gortat (trade), Mike Scott (free agency)

The Washington Wizards should have slightly different starting five this season with the addition of Dwight Howard. They will miss Marcin Gortat, but Howard should definitely help change the pace.

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He should give the Wizards a much stronger presence in the paint on both ends if all goes well. The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year produced 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest in his 14th season in the NBA. Entering Year 15, he’ll be ready to show there’s plenty left in the tank.

Their bench won’t be without experience with the acquisitions of Austin Rivers and Jeff Green, although the loss of Mike Scott will certainly be felt. Rivers gives them another surefire ball-handler off the bench and takes some of the pressure off of Tomas Satoransky to do as much.

Green gives them another player on the wing that has catch-and-shoot ability from 3, as well as being able to get to the bucket. He put up 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season and has a chance for a bigger role with the Wizards.

The Washington Wizards also got better in the 2018 NBA Draft with their first first round draft pick since 2015. They selected versatile forward Troy Brown Jr. with the 15th pick in the draft, giving them yet another young wing to keep an eye on next to Devin Robinson, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Otto Porter Jr. He may not play right away but a solid season in the G League could push him into the Wizards’ rotation.

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