The Washington Wizards will have some important decisions to make this offseason. Injuries have hampered the 30-31 Wizards this season, most notably to shooting guard Bradley Beal, and they find themselves clawing for the eighth-seed and a playoff-berth in the Eastern Conference.
Beal is a restricted a free agent this summer, one that is sure to garner big offers as one of the top pure shooters in the league. According to J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com, who appeared on SiriusXM NBA Radio Saturday, the Wizards will seemingly retain Beal at whatever cost. The same can’t be said of Wizards head coach Randy Wittman.
“The sense is that the Wizards will match any offers that come up for Bradley Beal” @JMichaelCSN
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) March 5, 2016
“Randy Wittman had to adjust his system to the space and pace, it wasn’t his call to switch to that” @JMichaelCSN
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) March 5, 2016
“If the Wizards play persists, it will be difficult to see Randy Wittman staying next year” @JMichaelCSN
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) March 5, 2016
Beal’s recurring injuries could make teams fearful this summer, but he’ll still be looking at max contract offers. The foundation for the Wizards lies in their backcourt, and it seems they are intent on keeping the Wall/Beal tandem intact.
When it comes to the head coach, Randy Wittman has probably run his course with the Wizards. Wittman had success going small in the playoffs last season when Paul Pierce moved to the four, but the new trend of downsizing and stretching the floor hasn’t been conducive to Wittman’s coaching style or the Wizards roster. Wittman has been the head coach of the Wizards since 2012, thus the only coach Bradley Beal has played for in his NBA career. A shift in leadership and pace is likely on the horizon depending on how this last month of the regular season pans out for the Wizards.
