Washington Wizards: 3 reasons they still have a shot at the playoffs

Lineup adjustments

When the trade deadline came for the Wizards, it meant very little. But for others, it meant new opportunities. Washington acquired two guards at the deadline, Jerome Robinson and Shabazz Napier, in exchange for very little roster adjustment.

But they did trade away one permanent starter in Isaiah Thomas, to which head coach Scott Brooks adjusted by bumping up Ish Smith. The fit was awkward from the get go. It wasn’t that Smith played bad, but his impact and type of play is better suited in the second unit.

After just seven games, Smith was pulled and Napier was given his first promotion in DC. He’s played well enough: 9.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game over four. Washington’s gone 2-2 in those four, with two big wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors.

In addition to the point guard position, Brooks has also given up on Ian Mahinmi, or at least playing him over younger guys who need the experience now.

22-year old Thomas Bryant got the last two starts, against Golden State and Sacramento, but didn’t really overwhelm. He scored 24 points over the two games, but grabbed just 6 rebounds.

Anžejs Pasečņiks got his first taste of action in eight games against the Warriors, playing 10 minutes for Washington but made very little impact. He went on to play just over six minutes against the Kings. Still, an improvement in the youth development department nonetheless.

Brooks making these adjustments has had a positive effect on the Wizards, and it will continue to do so. Sometimes, you can play the young guys and not sacrifice winning.

The Washington Wizards playoff push may fall short, and that’s fine. But it’s too early to give up on a team making adjustments, fighting behind their star player in a conference in chaos.