Washington Wizards 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Washington Wizards will continue to focus on their rebuild during the 2024-25 campaign.

NBA futures odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including basketball odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Washington Wizards Futures Odds

Win Total: 20.5

Southeast Division: +50000

Eastern Conference: +100000

NBA Championship: +50000

The NBA odds market believes the Wizards will be one of the worst teams in the league this year.

Only two teams in the league have a lower projected win total than Washington. The Wizards had a win total of 24.5 last year before finishing with a 15-67 record. 

They have finished under their preseason win total in back-to-back seasons.

Washington Wizards Offseason Moves

The Wizards made three picks in the first round of this year’s draft, including a pair of lottery picks. 

They took Alex Sarr second overall, hoping he could immediately impact the defensive end. Carlton “Bub” Carrington was drafted 14th overall and certainly opened some eyes with his play during the NBA Summer League.

Washington also added veterans Jonas Valančiūnas and Malcolm Brogdon, but don’t be surprised if either player is moved for draft assets during the season.

Washington Wizards Additions

Washington Wizards Departures

Washington Wizards 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 20.5 Wins (+100)

I predict that the Wizards will win under 20.5 games next season.

Jordan Poole is entering his second season in Washington, as expectations were sky-high for the former champion with the Golden State Warriors.

JORDAN POOLE 30-PIECE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FjaueLq5xe

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 26, 2024

Kevin Garnett went as far as to say that Poole was going to have a 2012 James Harden-like explosion. However, Poole did not make the same leap as The Beard. Instead, he regressed.

Poole was forced to operate as the main ball-handler and first option, which is an adjustment in itself since opposing teams spend more time scouting him. Poole also had significantly less space to operate with since he didn’t have Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson by his side.

Poole is a solid finisher at the rim on the drive and in transition. He also has a step-back and pull-up jumper both in the midrange and from behind the arc in his arsenal, but he has yet to prove he can do it efficiently and on a higher volume of attempts.

Kyle Kuzma is entering his fourth season in the nation’s capital. 

Kuzma is a solid finisher at the rim on drives, cuts, and out in transition. He’s also a decent 3-pointer shooter, and he has a turnaround fadeaway, step back, and pull-up jumper in the midrange and from behind the arc in his arsenal, but he profiles better as a third option or role player. Don’t be surprised if Washington moves on from him this season in favour of future assets.

All eyes will be on Sarr, who struggled tremendously scoring the ball at times during the Summer League. However, he’s shown promise in the ability to push the ball in transition, make the right pass, contest shots from anywhere on the floor, stick with his opponent on the drive, and position himself well to block shots and deflect passes.

Sarr loves to shoot the 3-pointer, but he needs to focus on cutting to the rim, rolling off the pick-and-roll, and refining his midrange and driving game before expanding his range. 

Carrington has displayed the potential to shoot both in the midrange and from downtown, change speeds on the drive, make the right reads passing the ball, and play solid on-ball defence.

The Wizards will likely begin the season with all of their vets playing heavy minutes, looking to showcase their talent to teams interested in acquiring their services for their championship run.

I don’t see the Wizards passing up on a chance to draft Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey, among several other talented prospects in a loaded draft, so expect their focus to eventually be shifted toward player development, which will in turn lead to a lot of losses.