Even the most diehard Washington Wizards fan entered the 2023-24 season knowing it would likely be a long one.
Oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook Virginia gave the Wizards odds of +50000 to win the NBA championship this season and set their win total at 24.5 – the lowest of any team. Even that win number was well beyond the Wizards. They finished 15-67, the worst record in franchise history, and lost nine of their last 10 games.
The good news about Washington having the second-worst record in the NBA this season is that the Wizards have an excellent chance of landing a top-four pick in next month’s draft lottery. Both the Wizards and Detroit Pistons (14-68) have a 14% chance of landing the top pick in the draft. We’ll see whether any futures odds shift for Virginia sports betting after the lottery.
The lottery gives the 14 teams that did not make the playoffs – or other teams that acquired the rights to the pick – at least a slight chance to receive one of the top four picks. That means the Wizards are guaranteed to pick no worse than sixth overall.
Washington also has a second-round pick, No. 51 overall, which it acquired from the Phoenix Suns in last summer’s three-way trade with the Indiana Pacers. That deal included former Wizards guard Bradley Beal going to the Suns and Wizards 2023 first-round pick Jarace Walker going to Indiana. The Wizards received Chris Paul (whom they later traded to Golden State), Landry Shamet, Pacers 2023 first-rounder Bilal Coulibaly, four future first-round pick swaps and five additional second-round picks. The Suns and Pacers are both in the 2024 playoffs; Caesars Sportsbook Virginia lists the Boston Celtics as the title favorite with +130 odds.
As their 2024 record indicates, the Wizards need help at several positions, but none more than down low. They traded for Marvin Bagley III late in the season, but he could slide to power forward if Washington lands a big man in the first round. That would also allow leading scorer Kyle Kuzma to move to small forward.
Point guard could also be a priority as Tyus Jones, this year’s starter, is now an unrestricted free agent. However, the 6-foot-1 guard who turns 28 next month has shown interest in staying with Washington.
The Wizards were among the NBA’s worst defensive teams this past season. They allowed the most points, 123 per game, and were the least effective on the boards, with a league-low rebounding rate of 45.9%. Both the 6-9 Risacher and 7-1 Sarr have been praised by scouts for their defensive work. If the Wizards choose to go with a point guard, they could have their pick between Castle and Dillingham, who rate as two of the best available at that position in the draft. Virginia sportsbook apps have NBA Draft props available.
With a projected number two overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Wizards have an opportunity to change some of their own luck when it comes to drafting the next big name in the league. Here's how they've fared in the last two NBA Drafts.
After they took Tristan Vukcevic in the second round of the 2023 draft, he was not available to play for the Wizards until late in the season after he reached a buyout deal from his Serbian team. He did not play until March 23. In 10 games, the 7-foot Italian averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. However, he started in his final four appearances and scored in double figures in each of those contests, including a season-high 19 points against the Chicago Bulls on April 12.
Johnny Davis, a lottery pick in the 2022 Draft, posted 152 points in 50 games this past season. He started six games down the stretch and scored a season-best 16 in the 129-127 loss to Chicago. Yannick Nzosa has yet to play for Washington as he remains in Europe.
Keep tabs on the best Virginia sports betting promos with us at BetVirgina.com as the 2024 NBA playoffs roll along.
USA Today photo by Reggie Hildred
The Washington Wizards have two picks in the 2024 NBA Draft (as of April 23), which are projected at first round, second overall (could change depending on lottery) and second round, No. 51 overall.
As of April 23, the Washington Wizards have two selections, one in the first round and one in the second round (acquired from Phoenix), in the 2024 NBA Draft. Their exact spot in the first round will be determined in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, to be held May 12 in Chicago.
The Wizards will be looking to select best player available in 2024 NBA Draft, which leads to France forward Zaccharie Risacher (+275) being favored to land in Washington D.C. followed by France center Alexandre Sarr (+350).
Yes, the Wizards will retain their first-round draft pick – in which they are guaranteed to pick in the top six slots. As of now, they are projected for the second overall pick.
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Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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