Heading into the final 12 games of the season, the Wizards have certainly played slightly better of late. While March has been good for the franchise, they are still the worst team in the league with 15 wins. Eliminated from play-in contention and firmly in line for a shot at Cooper Flagg, the future certainly looks like it should be better. However, the Wizards could still win 20 games, which may not sound like a lot but is nonetheless an improvement. After only winning 15 games last season, can they finish with a few more wins, and what are the implications of 20 wins for their future?
Will the Wizards Win 20 Games?
It’s certainly a possibility. The young guys have been contributing, the deadline additions are still meshing, and the tank is in full swing. Suffering losses to the Jazz and Trail Blazers recently may not be a great indication, but the team can certainly win 20 games.
Remaining Schedule As They Look To Improve Their Record
The Wizards would need to win at least five games of the last 12 to hit the 20 mark on the season. They will play seven of the 12 at home and will play the 76ers, Pacers, and Heat all twice in the last stretch. Squads like the Celtics, Pacers, Kings, Heat, and Magic are all looking to improve their standings position and build more momentum going into the playoffs. However, teams like the Nets, Raptors, and 76ers have embraced the tank and will continue to put their younger guys in to start developing early headed into the offseason.
With the home games they have left, and the other teams looking to do anything to lose, it’s a toss-up on if 20 wins will happen. Even if the team COULD win all their games, there’s also a surreal possibility they WANT to lose them as well. The reason for this is simple: draft odds.
The Tank Race Involving The Wizards
To add a layer, the Wizards are still competing for the top-three odds in the draft. Unlike the NFL, the three worst-records in the league get equal odds at the number one pick. While the Wizards and Jazz (16-56) are tied at the bottom of the standings, that could change by the end of the season. This now becomes a question of should the team take the risk for a lesser reward?
The Hornets and Pelicans are tied, and three games in front of the Wizards and Jazz. The Hornets play both the Jazz and Pelicans before the end of the month, and those games could have huge tank race implications headed into the last couple of weeks in the regular season. While the Wizards could try to win 20 games, it could end up hurting their odds of landing the number one pick in the draft. It’s a risk that is not worth taking. Flagg is projected to become the next NBA superstar, and the guys that follow are good, but not Flagg. Landing him immediately boosts the outlook for the Wizards, or anyone that grabs him, and you only want to increase your chances, not diminish them.
The Outcome
While the Wizards almost certainly will increase their amount of wins from last season (15), it’s unlikely they want to push past the 20 mark. Even hitting 20 would almost certainly hurt their chances at landing Flagg, and that’s not a risk the franchise should want to take.
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