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10 takeaways from the first quarter of the Wizards’ 2022-23 season

By Chase Hughes

10 takeaways from first quarter of the Wizards' season originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

With their 120-113 loss to the Celtics in Boston on Sunday night, the Wizards have arrived at what is essentially the quarter-mark of their season. They have played 20 of their 82 regular season games and so far they have a .500 record at 10-10, currently holding the eighth seed in the East.

With the Wizards having played roughly 1/4 of their games, it seems like a good point to take a step back and take a macro view of what we have seen from them so far.

Here are 10 takeaways… 

1. This might be what they are

The Wizards having a .500 record and being eighth in the East may sound just about right when compared to the preseason expectations many had for this team entering the year. They seem pretty clearly better than they were last season, but are navigating a very good Eastern Conference. And while their 10-10 record may suggest stability at face value, a lot can fluctuate from night to night in the NBA where teams go hot and cold from 3-point range.

So, even though they have won the same number of games they have lost, there have been some high highs and some low lows along the way. They have suffered the worst home loss in franchise history to the Brooklyn Nets, for instance. They are kind of still waiting for a signature win since, if you think about it, all the best teams they have beaten were missing key players like the Sixers without Joel Embiid and the Grizzlies without Ja Morant.

2. Trio of Beal, Porzingis and Kuzma off to a good start

In perhaps a really good sign of things to come, the Wizards can’t really ask for much more than what they’re getting from their top-three players, at least on the offensive end. Bradley Beal is averaging 23.6 points with 5.6 assists while shooting 52.1% from the field, 38.6% from three and 89.8% from the line. Kristaps Porzingis is scoring 20.3 points per game along with 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 35.5% from deep. And Kyle Kuzma is averaging 20.3 points with 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

The Wizards are one of only three teams with three 20-plus scorers this season. The Wizards/Bullets franchise has never had three players average 20-plus in a single season. So, statistically things are going great. If someone told you all three would be putting numbers like that, you may have expected better than a .500 record. Still, it’s proving to be a good core for the Wizards to move forward with.

3. Beal’s role is different

Beal would probably tell you his approach changed dramatically last season, not this one, but so far there have been some positive signs for how Beal could fit on this new-look roster. Namely, his efficiency is way up from last year as he has been more selective with his shooting in an offense that has himself, Porzingis and Kuzma all averaging between 15 and 17 shots per game.

Beal’s 3-point percentage seems to have finally recovered from a yearslong slump, perhaps as a result of shot selection and the presence of others on the court who add space with their shooting. Beal has also drawn rave reviews from head coach Wes Unseld Jr. for his defense. Beal just needs to cut down on his turnovers, as nobody in the league has more in clutch situations than he does (seven) so far this year.

4. Bench needs to improve

The Wizards haven’t gotten much of a boost from their second unit so far this season. Their starters are 14th in the NBA in net rating, at a positive 0.9, but their bench is -3.6, 25th in the league. Now, injuries have certainly affected their depth, especially with the extended absence of Delon Wright. And every time a starter goes down, the bench takes a hit when someone moves up as the replacement. But the bottom line is the Wizards need more from their bench moving forward, as depth can be a key separator for good NBA teams.

5. Barton hasn’t broken out yet

One player on the bench who seems to have a lot more to offer is Will Barton. The 11-year NBA veteran is averaging just 8.0 points while shooting 36% from the field and 32% from three. The field goal percentage is the worst of his career. It’s still pretty early in the season, so not time to write him off. But to get more from his bench, Unseld Jr. could start by finding a way to unlock Barton on the offensive end.

6. Defense looks decent so far

After the Wizards had one of their worst defensive performances of the season against the Celtics on Sunday, their overall numbers for the season took a hit. They went from having the eighth-ranked defense to 15th. Still, that would represent a sizable improvement from last season when they were 25th. For the most part, their defense has been better, led by Porzingis in the middle. They need to get better on the perimeter limiting threes, but it’s an encouraging start nonetheless. 

7. 3-point shooting might be better

Another area the Wizards need to improve in year-over-year and have so far shown progress in is 3-point shooting. Just like their defense, they took a step backward against Boston on Sunday, but the Wizards ranking 23rd in made threes (10.9/g) and 20th in percentage (33.8) technically represents improvement, even though they are shooting a lower clip than they did last season (34.2).

Some important context, though, would be that they recently set a franchise record by making 15-plus threes in four straight games. They have some decent 3-point shooting firepower and have proven it, they just need to do it more consistently.

8. Goodwin was a good find

The most positive surprise for the Wizards so far has been Jordan Goodwin’s emergence and few would probably debate that. He has been a real plus with Wright out, providing many of the things the Wizards were missing when he went down. But Goodwin also represents plenty in the big picture as the type of diamond in the rough acquisition the Wizards need to produce more of moving forward, and as one of the best examples yet of the investment they have made in their G-League affiliate.

The Capital City Go-Go have been in existence for four years now and lots of money has been spent on the program’s development, all in hopes it pays off over time. Success stories like Goodwin make that effort worth it. That’s why the Wizards wanted to build that system, to find contributors out of nowhere like Goodwin, who was undrafted out of Saint Louis University.

9. Davis will take time

First round pick Johnny Davis has been a different story so far, only appearing in seven games and not making much of an impact at all. He has spent considerable time in the G-League and is currently dealing with a groin injury. It has certainly not been the start he was likely hoping for as a rookie. But it is still very early and all this means is he has a ways to go. It will be interesting to see where he is at after another quarter of the season goes by and then another quarter. Perhaps he can play a factor by the end of the season or at least set himself up for better success next year.

10. No major leap for young players yet

The Wizards’ other three first round picks – Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert – have been just fine so far. You could argue all three have made at least some progress in their games, but debating who has made the biggest improvement would not provide an easy answer. All three have been solid, but none have so far taken a major step forward. Hachimura has been the most consistent by far, while Avdija and Kispert have looked legitimately good at times. Whether any of them will have a true breakout season remains to be seen, but it will be something to watch moving forward.

Kyle Kuzma outlines his priorities for 2023 NBA Free Agency

By Chase Hughes
Kuzma outlines his priorities for free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWASHINGTON -- Kyle Kuzma sat across from Wizards president Tommy Sheppard on Saturday in Sheppard's office at the team's practice facility in Southeast D.C., as the two conducted Kuzma's exit interview to put a cap on his 2022-23 season. The conversation, which lasted about a half-hour, will likely be one of many in the coming months between the Wizards and Kuzma's camp as they aim to re-sign the 27-year-old to a new contract and keep him in Washington.Kuzma, though, will surely have plenty of options. He's played his way into a prime opportunity to cash in on what could be the best contract of his career, a multi-year deal that may reach nine figures. He is an ascending player who has proven he can be a key ingredient on a winning team who draws rave reviews as a teammate both on and off the court.Kuzma told NBC Sports Washington he plans to go through the full free agent process, meaning hearing pitches from different teams. But he also reminded reporters on Saturday the Wizards are well-positioned to bring him back."It's 100 percent an option... I've had a great time here," Kuzma said "I've developed my game significantly here and there's good people here. I'd be a fool to say it's not an option for me."Kuzma arrived in Washington via trade in the summer of 2021 having played four years with the Lakers. He held career averages of 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in L.A., but in two years with the Wizards has seen those numbers jump to 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. This season he has averaged a career-high 21.2 points.His shooting percentages have stayed remarkably stable. With the Lakers, he shot 44.8% from the field and 33.8% from three compared to 45.0% and 33.6% in D.C. But the volume has gone up considerably and his ability to become a playmaker for others has also increased.Kuzma is appreciative of the opportunity the Wizards have given him to spread his wings on offense after he took a backseat to LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers."I've grown tremendously these past two years and Wes [Unseld Jr.], Tommy [Sheppard] and Ted [Leonsis], they all gave me this platform to do this and even be in this situation. I definitely see it here because they do support me," Kuzma said.While this summer will be Kuzma's chance to capitalize on his talents financially, he kept going back to personal development as a key factor in where he chooses to play moving forward. That could work in the Wizards' favor, given how he views the last two years.The question would be, does Kuzma see more room for growth from this point moving forward?"I'm just trying to be myself. I'm trying to get better every year. It's not about money, I'm going to get paid regardless anywhere [I go] and here, too. It's about can I come into work every day and be the best version of myself, can I help lead guys, can I make other players better, can I light up rooms. All those things matter when you're trying to be successful," he said.Kuzma believes he's improved his game every season of his six-year NBA career. Kuzma said he is "irrationally confident" about his potential to keep getting better and that his goal is to "be one of the guys in the league, a top player."That next step for Kuzma could be making the All-Star team for the first time. To do that, he may have to choose a team where a large offensive role can be offered. As he learned the way this year, winning also matters.Kuzma addressed that element of free agency may signal his plans. If he does choose to leave the Wizards, he could theoretically go to a better team, as Washington fell short of the play-in tournament this season.Kuzma, though, offered some nuanced thoughts on the prospect of leaving to join a title contender and how the fact he already has a championship ring plays into that idea."I think you have to have patience. I believe to certain extents what guys like Dame [Lillard] and even Brad [Beal have said], those guys where they talk about how the grass is not always greener and stuff. Just because you go to a contender doesn't mean you're going to win a championship right away because health can be a factor," Kuzma said."It sounds good and looks good on paper, but does it look good on the court? Those things matter, but at the same time I am trying to win. I do want to compete at high levels. That's why I play this game because I'm a junkie and I love it. Life's always better when you're winning."Perhaps Kuzma can find everything he's looking for this summer all in one place.
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