A New Era in Washington

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        Bradley Beal and John Wall were one of the most exciting backcourts in the NBA. However luck was not on their side as they would battle through many injuries. The duo spent eight years together in Washington until the Wizards decided it was time to move on. On December 2nd, 2020 the Wizards traded John Wall to Houston for All-Star Guard Russell Westbrook. This move indicated that this was now Bradley Beal's franchise. The Wizards did make the playoffs with Russell Westbrook but were later eliminated in the first-round in just five games against the Philadelphia 76ers. Beal would spend just two more seasons with the Wizards, miss the playoffs in both seasons, until both parties ultimately decided it was time to move on. This past summer Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns. The former Wizard guard expressed much gratitude to the organization and its fanbase for all the love he had received in his eleven year tenure. 





        With the Wizards moving on from Beal it was a clear sign that it was time to start over and freshen up their roster. This past summer the Wizards extended Forward Kyle Kuzma to a 4-year, $90 Million contract. A clear message that Kuzma is the new face of the Washington Wizards. This past season Kuzma averaged 21 PPG, 7 RPG and 4 APG (career highs in points and assists). The Wizards made it clear they're going into a rebuild and went on to trade Forward/Center Kristaps Porzingis. The Wizards sent Porzingis off to Boston and in return acquired Guard Tyus Jones, Forward Danilo Gallinari, and Center Mike Muscala. In addition to the trade Guard Marcus Smart was sent to Memphis after spending his first nine years in the league with the Celtics. As I mentioned before Bradley Beal was traded to Phoenix and in return the Wizards acquired Guard Chris Paul, Guard Landry Shamet, four first-round pick swaps and six future second-round picks. Chris Paul is 38 so there were no plans for the Wizards to keep the veteran guard. 





        The Wizards made another big move and traded Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Guard Jordan Poole, Forward Patrick Baldwin Jr and Guard Ryan Rollins along with a 2027 second-round pick, 2030 first-round pick (top 20 protected) and cash consideration. Jordan Poole had a sorrow final year with the Warriors as viral video showed Forward/Center Draymond Green punching him in the face. The young talented guard has shown that he has so much potential especially in the 2022 playoffs where Poole played a big role in helping the Warriors bring another championship back to the Bay Area. The Wizards have a new core so hopefully they have a bright future ahead of them. 



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