NBA: 2019-2020 Season Primer: Eastern Conference

As the 2019 NBA Offseason nears its end and the 2019-20 NBA Season comes closer and closer, the landscape of the NBA has truly changed. This past offseason was one of the more unique and wild ones, seeing numerous big time free agent signings, trades, and draft picks. In order to be best prepared for the wild season that is ahead of us, let the next few articles be your guide. 

 

Eastern Conference:

Atlanta Hawks:

Roster: Chandler Parsons, Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner, DeAndre Hunter, Jabari Parker, Trae Young, Cam Reddish, Alex Len, DeAndre Bembry, John Collins, Damian Jones, Bruno Fernando, Kevin Huerter, Vince Carter

Notable Additions: Jabari Parker, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter, Evan Turner

Notable Departures: Dewayne Dedmond

Vegas W/L Totals: 34.5

2019-20 Season Outlook:

The Hawks improved a lot and added a lot to their already impressive, young core. Jabari Parker comes off the heels of a relatively solid season in which he finished with the Wizards averaging 15PPG, 7RPG, and 3APG on 52FG%. Evan Turner also adds a quality veteran presence and provides a lot and can flourish alongside the Hawks young core. This Hawks team has the capability to take off and win a lot of games, but that all goes as the Hawks young core plays. If Trae Young and John Collins play at an all star level and DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish develop as planned, this Hawks team is capable of being a lower-tier Eastern Conference playoff team. Expect some bad losses along the way given their youth, but this team will be one of the more exciting teams to touch the court this season regardless of record and results.

 

Boston Celtics:

Roster: Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, Romeo Langford, Vincent Poirier, Grant Williams, Robert Williams, Semi Ojeley, Brad Wanamaker, Javonte Green, Tacko Fall (E-10), Carsen Edwards

Notable Additions: Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, Romeo Langford, Carsen Edwards, Grant Williams

Notable Departures: Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, PJ Dozier

Vegas W/L Totals: 48.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook: 

The 2018-19 season was a unique and mixed bag for the Boston Celtics. Kyrie Irving made it known early of his intent to re-sign with the Celtics, before all that fell apart near the end of the season in typical Kyrie Irving fashion. Kyrie, alongside the core of the Celtics veteran group in Horford, Rozier, and Morris, all left for other situations and teams. The Celtics will go into the 2019-20 season having re-tooled in some sense, having signed the former UConn and Charlotte Hornets star point guard Kemba Walker and picking up solid veteran big man Enes Kanter as well to replace Al Horford’s productivity. They also hope first round picks Carsen Edwards, Romeo Langford, and Grant Williams all provide and add to the Boston’s already, very talented young core of Smart, Tatum, and Brown. The Celtics actually go into the season with many questions given their new players and notable departures, but have the talent to take the next step and compete in an improving Eastern Conference. Kemba Walker should thrive alongside what will likely be the most talented team he has ever played alongside, and he truly will determine how the Celtics season goes with his play. Expect the Celtics to go through some bumps and bruises, but once they click as a unit will be one of the East’s best teams.  

 

Brooklyn Nets:

Roster: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, Taurean Prince, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Rodions Kurucs, Garrett Temple, Nicolas Claxton, Dzanan Musa, David Nwaba, Wilson Chandler, Theo Pinson, Deng Adel (E-10)

Notable Additions: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince, David Nwaba, Wilson Chandler

Notable Departures: D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll, Jared Dudley, Ed Davis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Vegas W/L Totals: 44.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook: 

The 2019-20 Brooklyn Nets have the capability to improve even further than they did in a 2018-19 season that saw their first all-star selection in now Warriors Guard, D’Angelo Russell and their first playoff appearance since the end of the Deron Williams-Brook Lopez-Joe Johnson days in 2014-15. The offseason has since seen the exit of D’Angelo Russell via a sign and trade and the signings of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant (Acquired via sign and trade for D’Angelo Russell), and DeAndre Jordan. Assuming Kevin Durant returns to health, this creates a new “Big 3” of sorts in Brooklyn and puts Brooklyn in a place to truly contend at the highest level. Irving is one of the NBA’s top 5 best Point Guards when at his best and Durant is easily a top 3 Small Forward. DeAndre Jordan arguably has less potential right now than Jarrett Allen, who finished 10th in the NBA in BPG (Jordan finished 28th), but should still add great veteran leadership, capable defense, and great rebounding in a similar fashion. The Nets also lost some key veterans in Dudley, Davis, and Carroll but have the core pieces to contend in the East. Whether or not Durant returns to health will determine whether or not the Nets are true title contenders, but Kyrie and company should be able to hold down the ship until he returns. This Nets team will, again, be exceptionally entertaining to watch in the 2019-20 NBA season and should be one of the East’s clear playoff teams. 

 

Charlotte Hornets:

Roster: Nicholas Batum, Terry Rozier, Bismack Biyombo, Cody Zeller, Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Malik Monk, PJ Washington, Miles Bridges, Willy Hernangomez, Cody Martin, Devonte Graham, Dwayne Bacon, Thomas Welsh, Joe Chealey, Caleb Martin, Josh Perkins

Notable Additions: Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, Cody Martin

Notable Departures: Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb, Frank Kaminsky

Vegas W/L Totals: 23.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The 2018-19 season was yet again a lost season for the Hornets. The offseason saw the departures of two big backcourt pieces in Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb, and also a disgruntled Frank Kaminsky. Vegas has the Hornets as one of the East’s worst teams despite the additions of Terry Rozier via free agency and PJ Washington and Cody Martin via the draft and there is likely some merit to that thought-process. Terry Rozier has big shoes to fill and the Hornets likely hope most of the lost productivity by the free agent departures is filled internally by the players they already have. This will very likely lead to some bad losses throughout the season. Malik Monk has shown flashes of his excellent scoring ability and Miles Bridges has shown some flashes of brilliance all the same, so if Monk, Bridges, Washington, Martin, and the rest of the Hornets younger pieces develop and make significant strides this upcoming season, they will likely consider that a massive win for the 2019-20 season.  Expect the Charlotte Hornets to be one of the league’s worst teams in the upcoming season and anticipate the Hornets contending for a top 3 draft selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.

 

Chicago Bulls:

Roster: Otto Porter Jr., Thaddeus Young, Zach Lavine, Cristiano Felicio, Tomas Satoransky, Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, Coby White, Denzel Valentine, Wendell Carter Jr., Daniel Gafford, Ryan Arcidiacono, Luke Kornet, Chandler Hutchison, Antonio Blakeney, Shaquille Harrison

Notable Additions: Tomas Satoransky, Thaddeus Young, Luke Kornet, Coby White, Daniel Gafford

Notable Departures: Robin Lopez, JaKarr Sampson

Vegas W/L Total: 32.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The 2018-19 NBA Season was not especially kind to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were talented but never truly found any consistency on the floor throughout the season. This, paired with the poor results and consistent losses, led to the firing of then head coach Fred Hoiberg. He was replaced by top assistant Jim Boylan, who finished the season with a 17-40 record. Highly-touted rookie Wendell Carter Jr. played all of 44 games, albeit showing some flashes of greatness along the way. Dynamic guard Zach Lavine had his best season as a professional and Otto Porter Jr. found a home in Chicago (He impressed in his last 15 games with Chicago, averaging 18PPG, 6RPG, 3APG, 1.2SPG on 48FG%.). Lauri Markkanen developed further, albeit struggled to stay on the floor a bit. The Bulls dealt with a good amount of injuries overall and as such the record largely reflected it. The 2019-20 NBA Season could prove different for the Bulls if it’s young core continues to develop and the team stays healthy as a collective unit. The additions of Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky should be impactful and should further help the development of the Bulls young core. The Bulls very likely hope incoming first round pick Coby White develops into their starting point guard alongside Zach Lavine sooner rather than later as well. The Bulls have the talent to exceed expectations in the 2019-20 season, but will likely struggle a bit throughout the season given their youth and their lack of a true super-star presence.

 

Cleveland Cavaliers:

Roster: Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, Jordan Clarkson, John Henson, Larry Nance Jr., Matthew Dellavedova, Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Ante Zizic, Dylan Windler, Kevin Porter Jr., Jarell Martin, Sindarius Thornwell, J.P. Macura (E-10), Levi Randolph (E-10), Malik Newman (E-10) 

Notable Additions: Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr., Dylan Windler, Sindarius Thornwell

Notable Departures: David Nwaba, Marquese Chriss, Channing Frye

Vegas W/L Total: 24.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

Similarly to the Chicago Bulls, the 2018-19 NBA Season was not a kind one to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The exit of arguably the greatest player to ever touch a basketball in the offseason prior set the tone for what would be a rough and injury plagued season. The lone remaining member of the “Big 3”, Kevin Love played all of 22 games and fellow big man, Tristan Thompson played only 43 games. Cedi Osman was up and down and improved statistically across the board, largely due to extended playing time. Collin Sexton was by far the largest bright spot, breaking Cavs rookie records and playing all 82 games along the way. This overall bad season led to the release of interim head coach, Larry Drew and the hiring of former Michigan head coach, John Beilein. Vegas has the Cavaliers as one of the worst teams in the NBA and Eastern Conference, likely largely due to their youth and the anticipation that they will not stay healthy throughout the season. This could very well come to be, but just as much all makes the Cavaliers a very unique team in the East in the 2019-20 season. They were one of the worst shot-blocking and defensive teams and did not add anything to improve in that regard, but a full-season of Tristan Thompson theoretically helps a bit in that regard. The Cavs did add to their young core by drafting Dylan Windler, Darius Garland, and Kevin Porter Jr, and all three should get significant playing time this season. Garland has to overcome having only played in all of 5 games in college, but has the game to thrive in the NBA and likely will make an immediate impact. The Cavaliers are very likely not going to be a good team in the 2019-20 season but do, however, have a roster of players capable of over-achieving and exceeding expectations. Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to be an up and down, yet improved and entertaining team in the 2019-20 season. 

 

Detroit Pistons:

Roster: Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Tony Snell, Langston Gallaway, Derrick Rose, Thon Maker, Markieff Morris, Luke Kennard, Sekou Doumbouya, Khyri Thomas, Bruce Brown, Christian Wood, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Tim Frazier, Donta Hall (E-10), Todd Withers (E-10), Louis King

Notable Additions: Derrick Rose, Markieff Morris, Sekou Doumbouya

Notable Departures: Glenn Robinson III, Ish Smith, Wayne Ellington

Vegas W/L Total: 37.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook: 

The 2018-19 Detroit Pistons were a unique team that finally found the postseason again. They finished the season with a 41-41 record with the 8th Seed and went on to be swept by the 1 Seed Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. The team is very talented in the frontcourt with all stars in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond and has some solid pieces in the backcourt with Luke Kennard leading the way. The team lost Glenn Robinson III, Ish Smith, and Wayne Ellington this past season in free agency, but the team added a sixth man of the year candidate in Derrick Rose, a solid veteran in Markieff Morris, and a very underrated and promising, young rookie in Sekou Doumbouya. The team has some solid shooting with Sviastoslav Mykhailiuk, Tony Snell, and Luke Kennard and have a team that Vegas projects to likely get worse a bit. This team can and very likely will prove Vegas wrong a bit if Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond play at an all star level and the new veterans in Rose and Morris play at an elite level. Expect the Pistons to compete for a lower-tier playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in the 2019-20 season and for them to be an up and down, yet improved team overall.

 

Indiana Pacers:

Roster: Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, TJ Warren, Jeremy Lamb, Doug McDermott, Damantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf, T.J. McConnell, Goga Bitadze, Justin Holiday, Edmond Sumner, Aaron Holiday, Alize Johnson, CJ Wilcox, JaKarr Sampson, Jakeenan Gant (E-10), 

Notable Additions: Goga Bitadze, Malcolm Brodgon, Jeremy Lamb, TJ Warren, Justin Holiday, TJ McConnell

Notable Departures: Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, Corey Joseph, Wesley Matthews, Kyle O’Quinn

Vegas W/L Total: 47.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The Pacers were one of the best teams in the East in the 2018-19 season, largely because of an all star season from Victor Oladipo. Oladipo unfortunately went on to get injured in January of this past season and the Pacers were clearly not the same team afterwards. The team finished the season with a meager 16-19 record and went on to get swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Pacers went on to re-tool in a very solid fashion by bringing in former rookie of the year, Malcolm Brodgon, underrated shooting guard, Jeremy Lamb, and some solid veterans in TJ Warren and TJ MCConnell. The Pacers expect Oladipo to return to the court likely some time in December or January and once he does return, the team is set up to be a legitimate contender in the East. The loss of Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, and Corey Joseph will be felt a bit but the team believes they effectively replaced each of them going into the 2019-20 season. If Oladipo returns to health, expect the Pacers to finish the season very strong and expect players like Sabonis and Turner to continue to get even better for an improving and solid Pacers team. 

 

Miami Heat:

Roster: Jimmy Butler, Kelly Olynyk, Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Meyers Leonard, Justice Winslow, Edrice (Bam) Adebayo, Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala, Derrick Jones Jr., Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Udonis Haslam, Jeremiah Martin (E-10), Chris Silva (E-10), Kyle Alexander (E-10)

Notable Additions: Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Meyers Leonard, KZ Okpala

Notable Departures: Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson

Vegas W/L Total: 42.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The Miami Heat were not overly impressive in the 2018-19 season having finished a meager 39-43 record and only 10th in the East. They did go onto have a relatively solid offseason and added a star level player in Jimmy Butler and also drafted arguably one of the more prolific scorers and shooters in Tyler Herro. The Miami Heat go into the season expecting Bam Adebayo to take the next step as well and also retain solid veterans in Kelly Olynyk, Goran Dragic, and Justice Winslow. The team willingly rid themselves of Hassan Whiteside in the their massive four team trade and feel like that will likely be an improvement in the form of addition by subtraction. The team will arguably go as Jimmy Butler plays this upcoming season and as such, have a team capable of over-achieving. Vegas has the team as one of the middle of the road Eastern conference playoff teams. The Miami Heat go into the 2019-20 season with big expectations regardless and absolutely anticipate exceeding those expectations. Expect the Heat to struggle at times but if Jimmy Butler plays at a consistent all star level, the team could contend for a top 6 spot in the East. 

 

Milwaukee Bucks:

Roster: Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez, George Hill, Ersan Ilyasova, Robin Lopez, DJ Wilson, Donte DiVicenzo, Wesley Matthews, Sterling Brown, Dragan Bender, Pat Connaughton, Thanasis, Antetokounmpo, Kyle Korver, Jaylen Adams (E-10), Luke Maye (E-10), Rayjon Tucker (E-10)

Notable Additions: Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, Dragan Bender

Notable Departures: Pau Gasol, Tim Frazier

Vegas W/L Total: 57.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The Milwaukee Bucks were clearly the best team in the NBA for the most part of the entirety of the season. They were the lone team to win 60 games in the regular season but unfortunately ran into an exceptionally hot Toronto Raptors team led by Kawhi Leonard and fell in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Raptors, of course, went on to win the Finals in 6 games against the Golden State Warriors. The Milwaukee Bucks will now look to run it back in the 2018-19 season and will do so having added more prolific shooting and solid defense in the form of Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez. The Bucks have the MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, an excellent shooter and all star in Khris Middleton, and a group of very solid veterans otherwise. The Milwaukee Bucks will easily be one of the best teams in the East. They may even surprise again and be the best team in the NBA again as well. Expect Giannis to contend for MVP again and expect the Bucks to potentially be even better in the 2019-20 NBA season given the improved shooting in the form of Wesley Matthews and Kyle Korver.

 

New York Knicks:

Roster: Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, R.J. Barrett, Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Morris, Bobby Portis, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Reggie Bullock, Kevin Knox, Alonzo Trier, Mitchell Robinson, Damyean Dotson, Kenny Wooten (E-10), Ignas Brazdeikis

Notable Additions: Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Morris, Ignas Brazdeikis, Wayne Ellington, Reggie Bullock

Notable Departures: DeAndre Jordan, Luke Kornet, Mario Hezonja, Emmanuel Mudiay, Noah Vonleh

Vegas W/L Total: 26.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The New York Knicks quietly got better following what many fans thought to be a disastrous offseason. Their front office added to their young core with R.J. Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis and set up a solid, inexpensive veteran group around them with names like Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, and Taj Gibson. The team is clearly now banking on the development of young point guards Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. after missing out on Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker, yet this is not a bad thing by any means. Both Ntilikina and Smith Jr. are only 21 years old and now have a solid veteran in Elfrid Payton, coming off one of his best seasons as a professional, to help guide and take the pressure off them. The team will likely not be a good one in the 2019-20 season, but certainly will be a lot more competitive than they were in the 2018-19 season. R.J. Barrett has superstar potential if he develops properly and seems to have a solid team around him to do just that as he expects to compete for the Rookie of the Year award in the 2019-20 season. R.J. and Ignas join a relatively solid young core in Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, and Alonzo Trier and should compliment each-other all nicely. Expect the Knicks to be an up and down team in 2019-20, but certainly will be much improved and should compete nearly every night regardless.

 

Orlando Magic:

Roster: Nikola Vucevic, Terrance Ross, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, Al-Farouq Aminu, D.J. Augustin, Markelle Fultz, Jonathon Isaac, Mohamed Bamba, Khem Birch, Wesley Iwundu, Melvin Frazier, Michael-Carter Williams, DaQuon Jeffries (E-10), Vic Law (E-10), Hassani Gravett (E-10), Chuma Okeke (*Unsigned)

Notable Additions: Al-Farouq Aminu

Notable Departures: Jarell Martin

Vegas W/L Total: 41.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The 2018 offseason for the Orlando Magic was considerably kind to the team in the form of the addition of new head coach Steve Clifford. Clifford went on to coach the team to a very surprising 42-40 record and the team even made the playoffs as the 7th Seed. Nikola Vucevic was very deservedly named an All Star and Aaron Gordon improved in his efficiency across the board. The team was aided by a resurgence by D.J. Augustin who had his best season as a pro in nearly 5 years. The Magic did not lose anyone majorly noteworthy and of course expect to improve even further in the 2019-20 season. The status of Mohamed Bamba is unknown but he did play a bit in this years Summer League and showed some flashes of dominance. Markelle Fultz remains a question mark as well, but the Magic have big hopes for him with Magic President of Basketball Operations, Jeff Weltman being quite open about his excitement regarding the progress he has made. If Aaron Gordon continues to develop like the Magic expect him to and Vucevic continues to play like he did in the 2018-19 season, it is absolutely reasonable to believe that the Magic could be even better in the 2019-20 NBA season. Expect the Magic to yet again be one of the better teams in the East in 2019-20, even with the landscape of the East slowly changing. 

 

Philadelphia 76ers:

Roster: Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Ben Simmons, Mike Scott, Jonah Bolden, Zhaire Smith, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, James Ennis, Furkan Korkmaz, Kyle O’Quinn, Trey Burke, Raul Neto, Isaiah Miles (E-10)

Notable Additions: Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Trey Burke, Raul Neto

Notable Departures: Jimmy Butler, Boban Marjanovic, T.J. McConnell, J.J. Reddick 

Vegas W/L Total: 54.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The Philadelphia 76ers had a unique offseason after suffering a relatively heartbreaking end to their season. They fell victim to the only ever game winning buzzer beater in a game 7 in NBA history and did so to the team that would go on to win the NBA Championship in the Toronto Raptors. This led to an offseason that saw Jimmy Butler be sign-and-traded for Josh Richardson and the free agent signing of former all star, Al Horford. The 76ers now enter the 2019-20 season with legitimate title aspirations out of the East and appear to be one of the few teams out of the East capable of truly contending. Al Horford should fit seamlessly alongside Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. Josh Richardson is a quality player that should also fit very well alongside the very willing passer in Ben Simmons. The team will definitely miss J.J. Reddick, but should have the shooting capable of competing in a unique East this season. Expect the Sixers to be one of the best teams in the East from start to finish and could contend for the top spot in the East come playoff time. 

 

Toronto Raptors:

Roster: Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, Fred VanVleet, Patrick McCaw, Stanley Johnson, OG Anunoby, Dewan Hernandez, Matt Thomas, Cameron Payne, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Terrance Davis, Malcolm Miller, Chris Boucher, Devin Robinson, Oshae Brissett (E-10), Sagaba Konate (E-10) 

Notable Additions: Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 

Notable Departures: Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green

Vegas W/L Total: 45.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook: 

The Toronto Raptors had arguably the best offseason in 2018 and went on to have one of the greatest post-season runs of all time in 2019. The trade involving Demar Derozan for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green went on to pave the way for the Raptors winning their first ever championship. Unfortunately, that joy was a little short lived after the exit of superstar Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Raptors still should have a very solid team in the 2019-20 season regardless. Kyle Lowry will again have a bigger role on the Raptors with incoming forward Stanley Johnson and returning third year forward OG Anunoby are both expected to play a bit of the Kawhi Leonard role. Paskal Siakam won Most Improved Player in the 2018-19 season and there is merit to the belief that he can take the next step as an All-Star going forward. Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka remain as well and both are major anchors for the Raptors defensively. The Raptors likely will not win the East this season, but certainly should be one of the top 6 Eastern Conference playoff teams based on their returning roster. There will definitely be an adjusting period where the Raptors will have to overcome being without Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, but the Raptors have the roster and coaching staff to be able to do so in what will likely be a relatively quick fashion. Expect some early and some bad losses but once the Raptors hit their stride should stay as one of the top 8 teams in the East.

 

Washington Wizards:

Roster: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Ian Mahinmi, C.J. Miles, Thomas Bryant, Davis Bertans, Ishmael Smith, Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown Jr., Admiral Schofield, Justin Robinson, Isaac Bonga, Moritz Wagner, Isaiah Thomas, Jermerrio Jones, Phil Booth (E-10), 

Notable Additions: Moritz Wagner, Rui Hachimura, Isaac Bonga, Jermerrio Jones, Davis Bertans

Notable Departures: Tomas Satoransky, Trevor Ariza, Bobby Portis, Dwight Howard, Jabari Parker, Devin Robinson, Jeff Green

Vegas W/L Total: 27.5

2019-20 NBA Season Outlook:

The Wizards were not a good team in the 2018-19 season mostly because of the injury to John Wall and the lack of talent around Bradley Beal. Beal played all 82 games, was an all star for the second straight season and had his best season as a professional. Dwight Howard never truly played like the Wizards thought he was capable of playing and all around the Wizards simply did not have the talent to consistently compete in the Eastern conference in the 2018-19 season. The 2019-20 season could end up being very different, but that rides completely on John Wall’s play. If John Wall returns to form and shows everyone why he’s worth the massive contract he signed and Bradley Beal continues to play in the dominant fashion by which he’s been playing, the Wizards could surprise in the East. Wall and Beal have made the playoffs together before and likely are shooting to do so again this upcoming season, largely because it very well could be the last season the Wizards management and front office allow the two to have together before either or or both are shipped out. The additions of rookie Rui Hachimura and veteran Davis Bertans likely should fit very well alongside Wall and Beal and could very well help the Wizards exceed expectations in the 2019-20 NBA Season. The Wizards likely will not be a great or even good team but will certainly be more entertaining to watch than the season prior. A lot has to go right for the Wizards for them to succeed, but either way expect the team to be a fun one to watch this upcoming season.