The Washington Wizards broke up with Russell Westbrook and his expensive contract in the summer and brought a lot of new players to the team. There is no sign of a familiarization phase in the capital, the wizards have almost conjured themselves up at the head of the Eastern Conference. Does that finally mean some stability for the strained franchise?
Russell Westbrook with the Los Angeles Lakers is not a success story yet. Ironically, against his old love Oklahoma City, the 33-year-old first made a strange turnover in the final seconds and then inexplicably released his opponent directly under the basket. Westbrook has been able to cover up such mistakes with heroic deeds elsewhere in the past, but the overall picture has not yet been correct either.
18.8 points per game in shooting splits of 41.1 percent from the field, 25.6 percent from the triple and 64.2 percent from the free throw line are just as problematic as 5.1 turnovers per game, even if 8.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game are decent. When it comes to the Lakers, you are already wondering whether you really did yourself a favor by bringing the ex-MVP to LA.
The situation is very different with the most important exchange partner of the trade, namely Westbrook’s team from the preseason. The Washington Wizards have a balance of 7-3, and a lot is currently working under the new head coach Wes Unseld Jr. At the top of the list of success factors are three former Lakers who came to the capital for Westbrook in the summer.
Washington Wizards: Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma shine
Montrezl Harrell has been convincing for several years with efficient scoring and a lot of energy from the bench, 17.7 points and 9.1 rebounds at 63.6 percent from the field, but he has not played this combination for a whole season.
Particularly pleasing from Wizards’ point of view is his free throw rate of 82 percent and the fact that Harrell fits in better in the defense in Washington than in most of his previous stations. The Sixth Man of the Year of 2020 is again one of the favorites for the award after ten games, along with Tyler Herro (Miami Heat).
Kyle Kuzma’s throw from the two-man range is not so good yet, but the forward has developed into a versatile defender in recent years. Especially in defensive behavior near the basket he has improved again this season and would currently pulverize his career high with rebounds with 9.5 per game (previously 6.3).
The third ex-Laker in DC also attracts attention with his defense, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hits 40.4 percent of downtown with almost 5 attempts per game. It is no coincidence that many of the players in Washington are currently at their best defensively.
Put simply, the strong duo of the Wizards with Bradley Beal and his new backcourt partner Spencer Dinwiddie was surrounded by role-players in the front court who can defend strongly. With Harrell and Davis Bertans, the more aggressive alternatives among the bigs come off the bench. But for a good defense you need five willing defenders at any point in time.
Washington Wizards: how long will the defense last?
The Wizards have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league with 103.1 approved points for 100 possessions and the best defense against fastbreaks, with only 8.2 approved points in the switching game. The latter in particular is a clear sign of a team that defends with motivation and discipline.
A new head coach and a few new faces in a locker room can lead to such a boost in motivation that the Wizards even got through to their offensive superstar. Because in the recent victory of the Wizards against the Milwaukee Bucks (101: 94) not only Kuzma, center Daniel Gafford, Harrell and sophomore Deni Avdija did a good job as a wall against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who needed 26 throws for 29 points.
In addition to his 30 points (14/22 FG) and 8 assists, Beal also had some excellent moments in defense. With a sequence against Grayson Allen, he even earned special praise from Unseld Jr. “That was really great because he took on responsibility in defense. It was probably a point against him in his career so far that he didn’t defend,” said the coach after the game.
Unseld Jr. stated, “He’s definitely got it with his size and strength, and we’re seeing it more consistently now. I love his determination and that he’s proud of his defense now. It brings us to another Level and it’s great for him too. ” Beal currently only has 24.2 points per game instead of 31.3 in the previous year, but the Wizards no longer have to score 130 points per game to have a chance of victory.
The Wizards are currently winning games with defense and deep rotation, something that has not been seen in DC for a long time. And it could get better after all, Rui Hachimura seems to be coming back on the floor in the next few weeks, Thomas Bryant is expected back this year.
Washington Wizards: Once no Beal rumors about the deadline?
After several years of frustration in Washington, General Manager Tommy Sheppard seems to have put together a suitable squad around superstar Bradley Beal and can be patted on the shoulder that he can be seen as the winner of both Westbrook megatrades so far.
It is hardly an exaggeration that half the roster of Wizards was brought in in a single summer trade. In addition to the trio of former Lakers, Dinwiddie, Aaron Holiday and Isaiah Todd also came to Washington on August 6th. As a reminder: It was not until December 2020 that the Wizards sent John Wall to Houston after his serious injury together with a first round pick (lottery protected) for Westbrook, which helped the Wizards through to the first playoff round, now he has given them a “new one.” Team”.
Nevertheless, it will be difficult if not impossible for the Wizards to maintain an elite defense over 82 games and the subsequent playoffs and to maintain a place with a home advantage in the east against teams like the Sixers, Nets, Bucks and Heat.
In view of the past few years, however, Wizards fans will be able to appreciate it if the relatively young Wizards continue to set a clear course for the playoffs in February and for a change don’t have to worry for weeks or months whether Beal is in Washington is not traded after all. Other teams can now deal with these background noises.
The Westbrook trade at a glance
| Teams | player |
| Lakers received | Russell Westbrook, 2 second round picks (2023, 2029) |
| Receive wizards | Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Holiday, Spencer Dinwiddie, Isaiah Todd |
| Get Pacers | 22. Pick (Isaiah Jackson) |
| Get nets | Nikola Milutinov, 2 second round picks (both 2024) |
| Get Spurs | Chandler Hutchinson, second round pick (2022) |
.
