Washington Wizards Prediction: NBA Champion Makes Bold Statement

Two-time NBA champion Quinn Cook makes a bold prediction about the Washington Wizards upcoming season.

Carita Parks | Oct 28, 2023

Washington Wizards Prediction: NBA Champion Makes Bold Statement /

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The Washington Wizards first game of the season did not go quite as planned with a 142-120 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

"Clearly not our best effort," coach Wes Unseld Jr. said after the game.

Luckily there are 82 games in a season and the Wizards have time to turn things around. While it currently looks uncertain, Inside The Wizards spoke to two-time NBA champion Quinn Cook during the offseason and he doesn’t think the Wizards will struggle as much as people may expect.

As a Prince Georges County (MD) native and DeMatha High School standout, Cook is very familiar with the Washington, D.C. sports scene. He also won NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

When asked his thoughts on the team’s ‘rebuild,’ he quickly interjected and stated he does not think the Wizards are in rebuild mode.

“I don't think they're in a rebuild. With Tyus Jones, Jordan Poole, and Kyle Kuzma you're competitive every night," Cook said. "I don't know the roster off the top of my head right now but just based off those three, they're going to be competitive. I think the GM has done a great job restructuring the whole franchise."

Los Angeles Lakers players Anthony Davis (left) and LeBron James (middle) and Quinn Cook (right) pose with 2020 NBA Championship rings before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. — Los Angeles Lakers players Anthony Davis (left) and LeBron James (middle) and Quinn Cook (right) pose with 2020 NBA Championship rings before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Although no one is expecting a playoff caliber season, there is still time for the Wizards to gel and find their identity. If anything, Wizards fans should find solace in Cook’s outlook for the team.

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Published Oct 28, 2023

CARITA PARKS

Carita Parks is the founder and editor-in-chief of Double Take Sports, an online sports platform featuring in-depth feature interviews, personal athlete stories, game analysis, and inside access to top sporting events. As a credentialed sports journalist, Carita has covered major events such as the NBA Draft, NBA Playoffs, WNBA Draft, WNBA Finals, Super Bowl, NFL Draft, NFL Honors, and more. Her current work includes regular coverage of the NFL, WNBA, and NBA, including the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Washington Commanders. Carita’s articles and interviews have appeared on a variety of platforms including USA Today’s CommandersWire and more. Throughout her journey as a reporter, Carita has interviewed many prestigious names in sports and entertainment to include: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, Natasha Cloud, Elena Delle Donne, Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, Patrick Mahomes, Jemele Hill, and Snoop Dogg. As a sports insider, Carita has been invited to provide expert analysis on podcasts, radio, and television shows. She also co-hosts a ‘The Triple W,’ an all female Wizards podcast, and a DC sports podcast called ‘The Breakdown.' Carita has a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Masters in Business Administration. She is a member of Women in Sports and Events – DC Chapter and the National Association of Black Journalists.