Washington Wizards 'Rebuild' Among 10 Things Learned This NBA Season

The Washington Wizards are in the infancy of their rebuild, and it may be a longer path to walk than initially expected.

When the Washington Wizards set out to take on the 2023-24 NBA Season most anticipated the team would likely win around 20 games. 

25 wins was just about the top of the ceiling most predicted for the Wizards and with just 21 left to play, they've won nine.

READ MORE: How Washington Can Start March Strong

Not only has the team failed to win even 10 games out of 60+, but Washington has lost 15 in a row after Monday night's meltdown against the Utah Jazz.

In a league that doesn't guarantee reward for being the worst in a given year, the Wizards are doing everything in their power to ensure rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly welcomes a new teammate early in the NBA Draft, and teaching the league something along the way.

Dec 8, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"Remember when, for about three months, this dishonorable mention belonged to the Detroit Pistons," NBA.com's Shaun Powell asked in a recent column stating the Wizards are the team facing the biggest rebuild. "Since then, very stealthily (and certainly regrettably in Washington) the Wizards have become the (slightly/arguably) Team At The Bottom."

"At least the Pistons have a few long-term keepers. The Wizards appear ripe for a major overhaul and there’s probably not a future All-Star on the roster or anyone who will command a max contract."

Powell wraps up his accurate analysis of Washington basketball by sharing the No. 1 overall pick odds silver lining this terrible season is carrying with it, but that's little consolation at this point.

Earlier this season the potential shown by Coulibaly and the efforts and desire of forward Kyle Kuzma to stay with the team were enough to help soothe growing pains. 

The play of forward Deni Avdija was energizing fans through the hard times as well.

But if winning cures everything, losing disqualifies anything, and fans are rapidly losing faith in the process, the people running it, and the future.

Washington Wizards Awful Fourth Quarter Leads to 15th Straight Loss

The good news is the folks at the controls will get more than one disappointing year, and the fan base has proven their loyalty to the extent that if 2025 brings growth then faith will be restored.

It's going to be a long road to get to that point, however, and maybe an even longer one to get Washington winning again.

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You can follow David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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