Washington Wizards: 2019-20 NBA season preview
By Leo Versel
Best-Case Scenario
After finishing the season with 45 wins and a record above .500 for the first time in two years, the Wizards cap off an improbable turnaround from 2018-2019. They return to the playoff picture, spurred by standout individual seasons for Beal and Thomas.
Ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference, Washington matches up with the Miami Heat, their Southeast Division counterparts led by Jimmy Butler. Sparks fly in the first-round series, with Kelly Olynyk again intimidating a Wizards player.
Rather than Kelly Oubre Jr., Olynyk tries to get in the head of rookie Hachimura. Butler and Thomas get into it as well. Despite Miami’s bluster, their recent history of losing in the first-round persists. The Wizards win the series 4-2, with Wall finally back in the rotation. Washington escapes with a win in Game 6.
In another exciting six-game series against the stacked, second-seeded Brooklyn Nets, Beal, Wall, Hachimura and Thomas carry the Wizards team. Schofield performs well, and Bertans drains seven 3-pointers during a game. Thomas turns in another unforgettable performance, scoring 50 points in a Game 4 victory.
Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Allen and Deandre Jordan prove to be too steep of a matchup for Washington’s short-handed rotation of bigs. The Wizards fall short of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Content with a season that was expected to be developmental, Washington more than achieved Sheppard’s initial expectations. Beal decides to stay with the Wizards for the foreseeable future. He continues to be a leader in the locker room.
Wall remains healthy during the playoffs. There are reasons for optimism regarding the team.
Worst-Case Scenario
Following a dismal 4-9 start to the 2019-2020 season, rumors begin to circulate about Sheppard and the Wizards’ management seeking to initiate a full rebuild by trading Beal away. Before the season begins, Beal determines that he is unlikely to win a ring with the Wizards. He declines his potential $111 million contract extension.
Beal says he is fully committed to helping mentor the team’s young players and doing everything possible to enable Washington to succeed in 2019-2020. He tops his individual performance from a season prior, averaging nearly 30 points and seven rebounds per game.
Rookies Hachimura and Schofield make substantial contributions in their respective roles. After the season, Hachimura is a candidate for Rookie of the Year. Both first-year players appear to be the future of the Wizards franchise.
Thomas Bryant continues to bring lively energy to the team, and he is relied on to be the starting center throughout the season. Bryant completes the season with averages of 15 points and 10 rebounds, both career-best averages. His progression is among the top highlights of 2019-2020.
Thomas has a triumphant comeback season, making the most of the opportunity he was given. After achieving renown once again, he decides to head to another team as well.
The Wizards nab the eighth seed again in the postseason, but they also falter once more in the first round, this time against Giannis Antetonkoumpo and the mighty Milwaukee Bucks. The Wizards win two games against a challenging Bucks squad.
Despite losing Beal in free agency during the 2020 offseason, the Wizards’ front office follow through on their promise of achieving player development. The future looks bright with Hachimura, Schofield, and Wall, despite the Wizards once again failing to be a contender.