NBA Offseason: 3 Ways Wizards Can Get Better Before Next Year

Fixing the Washington Wizards will take more than three steps, but starting with how the team approaches guard Bradley Beal's future has to be the first one.

The Washington Wizards haven't had a winning record since the 2017-18 NBA season, and that streak of losing is going to continue into the 2023-24 campaign. 

After producing five straight .500 or better records and four playoff appearances from the 2013 season to 2017's,  the Wizards will have made just one postseason appearance in the five that have passed since then. 

So, how do we fix this thing? 

It starts with these three steps. 

STEP 1: Belief in Beal

Guard Bradley Beal is your star. Period. 

Sure, forward-center Kristaps Porzingis has had his moments, and forward Kyle Kuzma captured the hearts and minds of Washington basketball fans as 2022 ended and 2023 began, but guard Bradley Beal is still the player opposing coaches gameplan against the most. 

He isn't perfect and has moments that make it frustrating to have him be the face of the franchise, but if you're going to get better it has to start with supporting your best player. 

That also means knowing who he is, good and bad.

Be honest, and find players that will be elevated by Beal's play, but also help him be the best leader he can be from a functional standpoint.

STEP 2: Find Robin

If Beal is Batman, he needs Robin. 

This is different from what we just discussed in that Robin - for short periods - can be the hero if Batman is unavailable. 

Sure they complement each other, but the real magic of the sidekick is they're oftentimes talented in their own right as a solo act as well. 

This could mean doing everything to re-sign Porzingis and craft your team around emphasizing both men's talents and how they work together and away from each other. 

Perhaps Kuzma can be convinced to come back if promised the right role and compensation. 

Even if both come back, Beal needs a No. 2, and that has to be clearly stated in the way the Wizards attack opponents.

STEP 3: Heed the Call for Defense

Washington is going to finish this season with one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA. 

Being one of just 10 teams allowing 14 or more second-chance points per game will do that. 

Yet, the team still ranks highly in defensive rebounding. 

Adding a prospect like Overtime Elite's Ausar Thompson could help fix that next season.

But the effort to get better defensively can't stop there.

If the Wizards do these three things, and keep them in mind when making additional moves this offseason, then we should see a better version of the team than we got - and have been seeing.

But if they don't -- well, let's just hope they do.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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