Danny Avdia's landing in Israel after a record season with the Washington Wizards/photo: Niv Aharonson. Video editing: Shiran Golan
Washington closed the worst season in its history, with no less than 67 losses. The new decision-makers, president of basketball affairs Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins, are clear that changes need to be made ahead of the 2024/25 season, and in the United States they are trying to assess what the Wizards will look like next season.
According to "The Athletic", Winger and Dawkins knew where they were getting into - they are patient, and think for the long term, but of course the unfortunate ability did not go unnoticed. "We will not settle for mediocrity," Winger claimed, "we will not take shortcuts and there are no excuses for those who do not give 100 percent. In this respect, what you saw this season was unforgivable, we will talk to the players and the staff and emphasize these things in the training camp. We have the right audience here, the principles The right ones and the right market to build an excellent team, the plan has not changed."
The bright spots from the point of view of the decision makers were the improvement of some of the young players - mainly Danny Abdia, Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert. One of the big question marks is related to the character who will stand on the lines next season: as you remember, Wes Anseld Jr. was fired and replaced by interim coach Brian Keefe, who liked the players but is not sure if he will continue. The Wizards intend to interview several candidates, including Keefe, and only then will they make a decision.
"We will try to find the right person to lead the team at the particular point it is in," said Winger, and "Athletic" claimed that this is a hint that the next coach will be one who is able to develop young players - but also be tough with them when necessary.
Among other things, Washington will try to sign Tyus Jones, who became a free agent and is highly valued in the club, to a new contract, although after the All-Star break his position was slightly damaged, and at the same time Jordan Paul began to improve as the main decision maker in the Wizards' attack. "Jordan likes to have the ball in his hands, and he's very good with the ball in his hands," Winger said. "Tios also wants the ball with him. We will try to figure out how to make it work. Both are very good players and very good people. There are 29 other teams that know how good Tios is, and he deserves that teams are interested in him."