Last week the Washington Wizards acquired All-NBA guard Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets. By swapping John Wall in the trade, the move immediately solidified questionable depth at the point guard position, considering Wall’s two year absence from play.
The thirteen-year veteran wasted no time setting the tone with his new team. According to reports, Westbrook arrived two hours early to his first practice on Sunday. His signature intensity was on full display.
Brodie’s first practice is complete! ? @russwest44#WizCamp | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/CcEucwBUDn
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 6, 2020
Westbrook fills seamlessly into Wall’s role as lead distributor and primary scoring option alongside Bradley Beal. He will step right into the starting point guard spot. But how does the rest of the roster shape up with the other additions this offseason? What will it take to return to the playoffs? Let’s find out.
Wizards’ 2020-21 Depth Chart
(Note: the following limits the 14 players on guaranteed contracts, and excludes two-way signees. Starters are listed first by position. The succeeding names are organized by pecking order.)
* – indicates new acquisition
PG: Westbrook*, Ish Smith, Raul Neto*
SG: Beal, Troy Brown, Jr., Jerome Robinson
SF: Isaac Bonga, Deni Avdija*
PF: Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans, Anthony Gill*
C: Thomas Bryant, Robin Lopez*, Moritz Wagner
The Wizards finished seventh in pace last season. By adding Westbrook, a speed-demon and transition dynamo, the tempo will only increase this coming season. A ‘seven-seconds-or-less’ style of play, with an elite collection of shooting, guarantees Washington will place among the most efficient offenses in the league. That being said, for all his merit, Westbrook is not doing Brooks any favors on defense. How the team competes on the other side of the ball will ultimately determine their playoff destiny.
Washington has a couple decisions to make while determining their starting lineup. Westbrook, Beal, and Bryant are locks to start. That leaves question marks at both forward positions. These decisions must hinge on improving the defense, while honoring the development of Avdija and Hachimura, two promising young prospects.
Evaluating Wizards’ Depth on the Wing
Avdija is the obvious choice to start on the wing as a recent lottery pick. However, Bonga asserted himself last year as a steady defensive presence. The third-year player out of Germany fills the sideline on breaks, cuts well off the ball, and slashes to the rim on occasion. With Beal and Westbrook conducting a majority of the offense, Bonga is a nice complimentary piece.
Avdija orchestrated offense well in the Israeli league, so perhaps he would be fit better running a second unit than starting off the bat with two ball-dominant guards. This would, in turn, ensure he receives a fair share of reps as the focal point of an offense.
Troy Brown Jr. also deserves consideration for the starting spot. The 2018 first-round pick is frisky. He arguably had the best defensive season of any player on the roster last year, leading the team in defensive win shares,1.2, for the season. On the other hand, Bonga shot the ball at a better clip than Brown in 2020. That should also be under consideration.
Development or All-In? Hachimura or Bertans?
Although Hachimura was the primary starter last year at the four-spot, Bertans was re-signed to a five-year, $80 million contract during the off season. That’s a ton of money to pay a backup. That being said, Hachimura was voted second-team all-rookie last season. He showed flashes of bucket-creating prowess while isolating or playing a two-man game. Moving him out of the starting lineup could stunt his development. Besides, the best shooters in the NBA, like Bertans, demand a premium price tag. So the contract might be indicative of the market rather than a plan to adjust the lineup.
All this to say, a team’s finishing lineup is of greater importance than their starting lineup. If Bertans shoots the lights out on a night Hachimura starts and struggles, odds are the ‘Latvian Laser’ will remain on the court. Still, and to beat a dead horse, preference should hinge on which player is contributing more on defense. That should be the name of the game this season when assessing the Wizards depth.
Follow @KyleEdwords and @HoopsBellyUp for all the analysis you need this coming NBA season.
