The Washington Wizards reupped Bradley Beal to the tune of $251 million on a five-year deal. They are also paying Kristaps Porzingis roughly $79 million over the next two years. This is a team that believes they can be a contender, at least for a playoff spot. And in trading for Will Barton and Monte Morris from Denver, and signing Delon Wright and Taj Gibson, they have added four solid veterans who have succeeded in supporting roles on other teams.
Add in Kyle Kuzma who came over in the Russell Westbrook trade two years ago and you have a team that is capable of surprising people by putting themselves in the playoff mix.
The biggest issues facing this team are defense and health. Having Barton and Morris who played on stingy Denver teams, along with a certain sense of urgency could help, but their ceiling is limited unless a defensive stopper up front emerges.
Porzingis played in just 51 games and averaged less than 30 minutes a game last season in another injury marred campaign. He hasn’t crossed the 60-game threshold since 2016-17, and that has to change for Washington to have a real chance to compete this year.
Washington Wizards Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Monte Morris, SG Bradley Beal, SF Will Barton, PF Kyle Kuzma, C Kristaps Porzingis
Head coach: Wes Unseld Jr.
Notable Additions: SF/G Will Barton, PG Monte Morris, G Delon Wright, C Taj Gibson
Draft Picks: G Johnny Davis (10th overall)
Wizards Arena: Capital One Arena
Wizards NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Washington Wizards NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 350/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Eastern Conference: 150/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Southeast Division: +2000
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 35½ (-125)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +350 | No -550
- Official website: nba.com/wizards
- Twitter Account : @WashWizards
2022-23 Washington Wizards NBA Award Top Contenders
Most Improved Player: Rui Hachimura +5000
Rookie OTY: Johnny Davis +2000
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Wizards:
The Wizards have the potential to surprise people this season and that means there are great odds to capitalize on here, especially as a playoff team at +350 and to surpass the season win total of 35.5.
Beal is one of the true stars in this league and this supporting cast might be the best he’s ever had. Porzingis has to stay healthy and that’s a big if. The in-house improvement of SF Deni Avdija and PF Rui Hachimura, both former lottery picks who have gained experience would also help to raise the ceiling. I’m not in love with this team, but I see how a couple of calculated early season bets could make for some very happy bettors.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +350
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 35½ (-105)
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Southeast Division: +2000 (worth a small investment)
2021-22 Record: 35-47
My Record Prediction: 44-38
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of September, 2022
Bet on the Washington Wizards 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
