Wizards Future Hinges on Success and Failure of PG Johnny Davis

As Tommy Sheppard departs from the Washington Wizards organization, his final first-round pick will dictate how quickly his successor finds success.

The Washington Wizards sent a message by firing - or 'relieving' - Tommy Sheppard, the now former general manager and president of the team. 

After failing to get the Wizards to the playoffs two years in a row, it's time for a change in approach and attitude. 

But one last decision Sheppard made - drafting guard Johnny Davis in the first round of last year's NBA Draft - will play a big role in determining whether or not his successor fares any better than he did. 

READ MORE: Tommy Sheppard Fired

Based on the end-of-season run by Davis there's reason enough to be confident he's developing into the NBA player Washington hoped it'd get when he was selected with the 10th overall pick. 

One game, in particular, stands out above the rest, and that came just two weeks ago in a six-point win over the Miami Heat. 

It has everything you can ask for in a redemption story, really. 

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Wizards and Davis' 16 points were the most he'd scored in a win, producing his best +/- in a win as well. 

And it came against a playoff team. 

Albeit, a playoff team resting the main part of its roster. 

It's not a shining example of what the future could be, and that's exactly what you'd expect from the results of this past season. 

But if it gives Sheppard's successor reason enough to believe in Davis' future, then that future will be tied to the player. 

For better or worse, a decision on what Davis' future with the team will be has to be made by the next hire, and it's key. 

READ MORE: Washington and the Playoff Gap

There are plenty of options here. Washington can believe they see starter potential in him and push for that result, relegate him to depth duties and seek a legitimate long-term starter ahead of him, or try and trade him. 

But to stay where he is now in a 'will he, won't he' limbo of development would only ensure the next chapter of Wizards basketball starts the same way this one is ending. 

In limbo, and in NBA purgatory for much longer than it should be.

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Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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