Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
5. Washington Wizards
Christina: Some like to think that if John Wall hadn’t sustained hand fractures during the second round of the playoffs last year, they would’ve made the Eastern Conference Finals. Losing Paul Pierce will definitely hurt them, but inserting Otto Porter as the starting SF should help his confidence.
John Wall will be John Wall, and it would be beneficial to them if Bradley Beal could have a breakout year similar to Jimmy Butler‘s last year. The Wizards are always in the middle of the playoff mix, but they don’t have enough “magic tricks” to join the elites of the Eastern Conference.
Michael: (Washington Wizards) I also have been working under the assumption that the Wizards would’ve made the ECF had John Wall not gotten injured. Nevertheless, in a much better Eastern Conference, I’m not willing to jump on the limb that points to this team being on the same level as healthy Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls teams. They’ll be in the mix and, if injuries do impact a few of the other teams ahead of the Wizards on this list, Washington will gladly pick up the pieces.
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