NBA Power Rankings: Washington Wizards Holding Steady Nearing All-Star Break

The Washington Wizards have settled into a cozy spot near the bottom of the NBA's Power Rankings.
NBA Power Rankings: Washington Wizards Holding Steady Nearing All-Star Break
NBA Power Rankings: Washington Wizards Holding Steady Nearing All-Star Break /
In this story:

Forward Kyle Kuzma is still with the Washington Wizards while center Daniel Gafford is not, and those two truths could go a long way to factoring into what happens with the franchise moving forward.

That includes the Wizards' NBA Power Rankings spot after trading away their most consistent rim protector this season, but that's for next week.

Deal Was In Place To Move Kyle Kuzma

This week, Washington is holding steady at No. 27.

"It was a little surprising that the Wizards traded Daniel Gafford, who’s only 25 years old and on a reasonable contract for the next two seasons," NBA.com says. "That leaves the center position in the hands of Marvin Bagley III, who (though he shot 1-for-7 against Philly on Saturday) has been their leading scorer on a per-minute basis (21.9 points per 36) since arriving from Detroit."

Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones (5) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bagley has been a positive addition since joining the team in a mid-January trade that sent forwards Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala to the Detroit Pistons and brought him, forward Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks to the Wizards.

Ahead of the next rankings, Washington will visit the New Orleans Pelicans after already falling to the Dallas Mavericks (Gafford's new team) earlier this week.

The Pistons jumped up two spots from No. 30 to No. 28 this week while the San Antonio Spurs swapped out, falling to the bottom of the association.

Washington Wizards Draft Prospects: French Forward Zaccharie Risacher

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets stood pat at No. 29 as the third team behind the Wizards at this point in the season.

Washington will not play another home game until after the NBA All-Star Break and will do so riding a 13-game home losing streak when they return to Capital One on February 23rd to host the Oklahoma City Thunder.


You can follow David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

Follow Inside The Wizards on Facebook

Follow Inside The Wizards on Twitter

Keep up with all Washington Wizards news on the SI.com Washington Wizards team page


Published