WASHINGTON (AP) — Bradley Beal returned to the Washington Wizards saying he wanted to win a championship with them.
Now the pressure is on for this team to show that it’s at least moving closer to some form of contention.
Beal is back for his 11th season with the Wizards after signing a five-year deal to stay in Washington. He’s the constant on a roster that’s undergone its share of changes over the past couple years while essentially treading water in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards actually won 10 of their first 13 games last season under new coach Wes Unseld Jr., but wrist surgery in February ended Beal’s season and the team missed the playoffs.
Returning to the postseason would be one step in the right direction.
“Obviously that’s everybody’s goal — to make the playoffs,” general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “I think we’ve got to see the improvement on the defensive end. I think we addressed that in the summer. Find out in the winter what you did in the summer. These players are going to have to prove that they are worth what we believe that they are, by getting it done on the floor.”
In Beal, the Wizards have a high-scoring star, but in the absence of high draft picks or other major acquisitions, they are in danger of blending into the NBA’s murky middle class — the group of teams that might be good enough to make the playoffs, but are still a long way from title contention.
Still, Washington has made enough changes that it’s worth seeing how the Wizards look when healthy before passing judgement on their short-term outlook. Washington traded for Kristaps Porzingis last season, but because of Beal’s injury those two never played together.
“I’m jealous I’m not 7-3. I’m a whole foot shorter,” Beal said. “I’m excited, because he’s a specimen. He’s probably the best big I will play with in my career.”
The Wizards’ hopes for success in 2022-23 start with the chance to have Beal, Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma all available and in the lineup.
Washington also acquired guards Will Barton and Monte Morris in an offseason deal with Denver, reuniting them with Unseld, who was an assistant coach with the Nuggets before being hired by the Wizards.
AT THE POINT
The Wizards have had their share of dynamic point guards in recent seasons with Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Gilbert Arenas. Spencer Dinwiddie was next in line, but he lasted less than a season in Washington before being dealt in the trade that brought…
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