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Washington Wizards: Why Rui Hachimura is their third-best player

By Zackery Rogers

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards looks on prior to playing against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards looks on prior to playing against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena on March 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

The NBA is set to return and the Washington Wizards will get a chance to fight for a playoff spot but they will need contributions from their third-best player.

The Washington Wizards and the rest of the NBA will be back soon to finish the season that was paused due to COVID-19.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA is looking to return July 30 opposed to July 31. Prior to the break-in play due to COVID-19, the Wizards won their last game which improved their record to 24-40.

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If the season ended today, Washington would miss the playoffs and enter the offseason looking for ways to improve.

The 22-team format that was approved last week will allow the Wizards to play their final eight games. If Washington remains four games or less behind the eighth seed they will have a chance to challenge the eighth seed for the final playoff spot, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

In order for the Wizards to make some noise and possibly sneak into the playoffs, they need a third go-to player.

Obviously John Wall is not walking through the tunnel this season and Bradley Beal is the leader of the team. However, the current roster does feature a lot of talent.

When healthy it’s clear that the top players on the Wizards are Beal, and Wall (in that order). However, the franchise needs to identify its third-best player sooner rather than later.

But before the break in play rookie Rui Hachimura separated himself from the pack to claim his spot. Although it may be too early to say whether or not he will be a franchise player, it is clear that he is the third-best player on the Wizards’ roster.

Here are three reasons why Hachimura is the third-best player on Washington’s roster.

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