NBA News: Washington Wizards Bring Balance To Team After Russell Westbrook Trade

The Washington Wizards had one of the most challenging seasons in the NBA last season as they were hit hardest by the health and safety protocols enacted by the league due to COVID-19 concerns.

Despite this, they were able to make it to the postseason after beating the Indiana Pacers in the play-in tournament to face-off against the Philadelphia 76ers, which they lost in five games.

The offseason presented them with an opportunity to be better and they immediately took it.

Raul Neto and Ish Smith both had a decent outing with the team. The former excelled defensively, while the latter was efficient offensively.

They chose to sign Neto--who shot 39.0 percent from three--to an extension as the 29-year-old’s youth and fit with the Wizards gave him the edge over Smith.

Next came the massive, five-team Russell Westbrook trade that saw him go to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Spencer Dinwiddie joined the team on a three-year $62 million deal that will see him be the team’s main playmaker.

Slotting alongside Bradley Beal allows Dinwiddie to create space and dish out assists as he plays best with a team full of shooters since he’s not the best at it himself.

The Wizards have exactly that, and despite the ACL tear, his value is still held in high regard by many in the league.

Kyle Kuzma is the most interesting piece among the players who came from the massive Westbrook trade as he received the most slander in the Lakers’ six-game loss to the Phoenix Suns.

While it looked well within reason to do so, Kuzma was expected to blossom under the guidance of LeBron James and Anthony Davis but it didn’t happen.

A clearer role with the Wizards as the team’s starting small forward can be considered a step in the right direction for Kuzma to rejuvenate his career, similar to how his Laker colleagues Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson found their footing outside the bright lights of Los Angeles.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is an excellent wing defender, and he should be able to give Beal some time off the defense, which allows him to be an even more potent offensive threat.

“KCP” is a great shot from deep as well, connecting with 37.8 percent of his shots from deep making him the ideal shooting guard when he plays alongside Dinwiddie and Beal.

Montrezl Harrell is expected to compete with Daniel Gafford for the center spot as starter Thomas Bryant heals from a partially torn ACL suffered in early January.

Aaron Holiday’s arrival in Washington seems like an insurance policy if ever Dinwiddie doesn’t return to pre-injury form, and him being on the final year of his rookie contract has minimum downsides to the team’s finances.

With new head coach Wes Unseld Jr. at the helm and Rui Hachimura continuing to develop, along with Deni Avdija, the Wizards are set for an exciting season that could see them make it as a sixth seed.