The Washington Wizards appear stuck in NBA purgatory after failing to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. The team also secured its fifth consecutive campaign with a losing record. Changes should be expected, but the head coach will not be one of them.
Wes Unseld Jr. will return for the 2023-24 season, Wizards team president and general manager Tommy Sheppard confirmed to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
“He is our coach moving forward,” Sheppard said.
Unseld replaced the fired Scott Brooks as head coach in 2021. In two seasons leading the Wizards’ bench, Unseld has a 69-93 record. Certainly, not a good mark. But, it’s worth noting that the Wizards have undergone multiple makeovers during Unseld’s short tenure as Sheppard continues to search for the right nucleus.
As disappointing as the 2022-23 season may be, the Wizards’ commitment to Unseld is not surprising. He signed a four-year deal. While he is not absolved from the blame, the Wizards have room to improve the roster and their instability may not have been a fair shake for Unseld.
Sheppard’s whiffs at multiple lottery draft picks and the revolving door of a supporting cast don’t necessarily weigh on the shoulders of the head coach.
The fanbase is certainly frustrated with Unseld as a coach, but it’s hard for the team’s brass to ditch the process after two years. Besides, don’t expect owner Ted Leonsis to pay Unseld next season not to coach the Wizards.
Unseld’s time in Washington began just before the trade of Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers, which garnered a return of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Washington also acquired Spencer Dinwiddie on a three-year, $54 million deal in a sign-and-trade.
But a lack of chemistry resorted to the Wizards trading Harrell and Dinwiddie before Unseld’s first season as the head coach got completed. In contrast, Kuzma has emerged as a reliable option behind three-time All-Star and supermax player Bradley Beal.
The Wizards acquired former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis from the Dallas Mavericks with the Dinwiddie trade. Individually, Porzingis has been a delight similar to Kuzma.
After a small sample size last season, the trio got their first full campaign together this season. Despite all three averaging at least 21.2 points per game, the Wizards stalled after the All-Star break and are now sitting outside the postseason. At 34-46, Washington has officially been eliminated from the postseason.
The Wizards internally may point to the games the three missed. Beal has been limited to 50 games due to various injuries. He missed the past eight games with a sprained left knee. An ankle injury has kept Kuzma out of the last nine games. Porzingis was sidelined for the last four games with an illness.
Both Kuzma and Porzingis face player options for next season. The two expect to decline their respective options. The Wizards want to keep both but will face hurdles to do so. Talks have turned “serious” with Porzingis on a potential extension while Kuzma remains a wait-and-see.
Beyond the trio, the Wizards’ roster remains in flux. Washington is waiting for three recent first-round draft picks, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, and Johnny Davis, to fill roles as a supporting cast. Even then, the Wizards have hurdles to get on track.
Rui Hachimura, the Wizards’ 2019 first-round pick, became frustrated with his lack of opportunity. Washington traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers before this year’s trade deadline. Outside of John Wall and Beal, there is legit concern about whether the Wizards can develop young talent.
The roster makeup has been an issue for the Wizards for quite some time. Washington enters this offseason with the needs they have arguably each of the last five years, point guard, small forward, and bench depth. Wes Unseld faces the same challenges as Brooks, the coach before him. And that may be the reason for Sheppard and team owner Ted Leonsis to remain patient with Unseld.
Can Unseld be the one to right the ship and bring the Wizards from under the waters? The answer could be stamped next season.
