The Washington Wizards have been making a ton of roster moves lately. That includes trading for both Trae Young and Anthony Davis. But they have yet to solve their biggest problem: head coach Brian Keefe. Until someone else becomes their bench boss, the Wizards aren't going anywhere.
Since the franchise moved to Washington in 1974, the Wizards' fortunes have been a real mixed bag. They go through long periods when they're a sub-500 team who can't catch a glimpse of the playoffs. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, they will suddenly make the playoffs a few seasons in a row.
The last couple of decades in particular have been rough. Washington hasn't made the playoffs since 2021, when they were eliminated in the first round by the 76ers. After that, the Wizards have finished anywhere from 12th to 15th in the Eastern Conference. It's not a good scene.
Regardless, there might be actual reasons to hope in 2026-2027. In addition to Young and Davis, the Wizards have a roster of solid developing talent in Alex Sarr, Will Riley, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and the number one 2026 NBA Draft pick, A.J. Dybantsa. Now, they just need a better coach.
Keefe remains a major weak point for the Wizards
If you look at rankings of head coaches in the league going into 2025-2026, Keefe is consistently ranked in the bottom five. That is, in part, a reflection of the team he's coaching for, which has lacked consistency over the last 25 years. The Wizards rotate coaches almost as often as the Kings.
When Keefe took over in 2024, he was saddled with an odd roster in need of a rebuild. That's a tough position for anyone to be in, even someone who has been coaching basketball for years. But his previous roles were all as an assistant coach. This is Keefe's first time as a head coach in the NBA.
Much like Doug Christie and the Sacramento Kings, there are real questions as to whether Keefe is the guy to lead the Wizards through what will be an incredibly difficult rebuild. At the same time, Washington needs to stick with a coach for an extended period of time. Consistency is key.
Basically, Keefe has the next two seasons at the most to prove he's the person for the job. His roster has improved, so it's time to see some progress this season. No one is expecting miracles from Keefe, just growing signs of improvement. If he can't get that done, there are always other options.
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