The 2024–25 Washington Wizards season was defined by historic lows, with an 18–64 record, two 16-game losing streaks so landing Cooper Flagg is really going to help them start their Redemption Era.
The Good:
Development of Young Core:
Alex Sarr’s Growth: The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft showed significant improvement as the season progressed. Despite a rough Summer League debut, Sarr finished the season strongly, displaying versatility as a 7-footer with defensive prowess (1.5 BPG) and offensive playmaking.
Bub Carrington’s Emergence: Selected 14th overall via a draft-night trade, Carrington led the 2024–25 rookie class in minutes (2,458) and made strides as a late bloomer. He posted career-best shooting months in February (50% FG, 40% 3P) and April (44% FG, 39% 3P)
Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly: George (26th overall pick) and Coulibaly (2023 lottery pick) showed signs of becoming versatile players with high upside since they both can score and defend.
Tristan Vukcevic’s Breakout: In the final game, Vukcevic scored a career-high 28 points (9-12 FG, 4-6 3P) with 11 rebounds and 5 assists, showcasing untapped potential despite limited prior playing time.
Strategic Tanking for Draft Positioning:
The Wizards finished as the second-worst in the NBA, securing a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This outcome aligns with their rebuild strategy, maximizing odds for a top-four pick (52.1% combined probability) to potentially land talents like Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper.
By prioritizing youth in the rotation post-February (12–23 record, 24th in the league), the Wizards improved their net rating (-8.7 vs. -15.2 pre-February) and points allowed (118.1 vs. 122.2), showing progress while maintaining lottery odds.
Roster Overhaul and Draft Capital:
The Wizards executed multiple trades to acquire young talent and future picks. Notable moves included trading Deni Avdija to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick (Carrington), sending Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr. to Milwaukee, and trading Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis to Memphis for AJ Johnson, Khris Middleton, Colby Jones, Marcus Smart, and future draft picks. These trades reloaded their asset cupboard, giving GM Will Dawkins flexibility for future roster-building.
Jordan Poole’s Resurgence:
After a disappointing 2023–24 season, Poole rebounded with an All-Star-caliber campaign, leading the team in points (20.5 PPG) and assists (4.5 APG). He scored 45 points against Cleveland and 42 in an overtime loss to Indiana, showing flashes of his 2022 Warriors form. His post-All-Star surge helped rehabilitate his value, making him a potential long-term piece or trade asset (three years, $95.5M remaining).
The Bad
Franchise-Worst Records and Losing Streaks:
The Wizards finished 18–64, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and second-worst in the NBA (behind Utah’s 17–65). This marked their second consecutive season with a franchise-low win total, following 15–67 in 2023–24. They endured two 16-game losing streaks (December–January and January–February), tying a franchise record, and went 0–13 in the second game of back-to-backs.
Their point differential (-15.23) was the worst in NBA history, and they ranked last in offensive rating and defensive rating league-wide. A 41-point home loss to Dallas (the largest deficit of the season) epitomized their struggles, with fans vacating Capital One Arena early.
Competitive Struggles and Lack of Star Power:
The Wizards lacked a true All-Star. Older versions of Middleton and Smart are their best veterans, none of whom are elite. Jordan Poole’s inconsistency and inefficient shooting early in the season (despite his later surge) underscored the absence of a go-to star. The team’s youth-heavy rotation (Sarr, Carrington, Coulibaly, George) led to defensive ratings as low as 114.6–122.3 per 100 possessions when playing together, making wins rare.
