The Washington Wizards currently find themselves in the 13th seed of the Eastern Conference, securing a crucial win against Charlotte, bringing their season record to 2-5. The team’s performance this season has been inconsistent, swinging from looking like a play-in contender to showing signs of potentially earning the #1 pick. One glaring issue is the Wizards’ struggle with their center position.
Facing formidable teams like the Celtics and Sixers, whose centers include Joel Embiid and Kristaps Porzingis, exposed the Wizards’ interior weaknesses. Porzingis, in particular, scored 15 points in his return to DC, exploiting the Wizards’ frontcourt vulnerabilities. Against Embiid, the reigning league MVP, the Wizards faced a significant challenge, with Embiid recording a 48-point double-double on impressive shooting percentages.
Although Daniel Gafford has shown promise as a newly-promoted player, contributing both offensively and defensively, the team faces difficulties when he is not on the court due to rest or foul trouble. Surprisingly, on some occasions, Danilo Gallinari, a 35-year-old forward coming off a major injury, has assumed the center role, highlighting the team’s lack of a reliable backup center.
The Wizards must address this center problem, especially considering the tough competition in the conference featuring dominant big men like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Embiid, Porzingis, and Bam Adebayo. On-court adjustments may involve emphasizing crowded paint defenses, but this approach carries risks, particularly from the perimeter.
The coaching staff and front office need to collaborate on solutions. External additions, such as exploring players like Jericho Sims or James Wiseman, could provide much-needed reinforcement. If no immediate solutions arise, the upcoming draft might offer an opportunity to address the Wizards’ frontcourt needs, with prospects like Alexandre Sarr and Kyle Filipowski being potential targets. However, for Wizards fans, the prospect of a 75-game wait for a resolution looms large.
