2009-10 NBA Season Preview: Washington Wizards

Depth Chart:

C: Brendan Haywood/JaVale McGee/Fabricio Oberto

PF: Antawn Jamison/Andray Blatche

SF: Caron Butler/Mike Miller/Dominic McGuire

SG: Randy Foye/DeShawn Stevenson/Nick Young

PG: Gilbert Arenas/Mike James/Javaris Crittenton

Head Coach: Flip Saunders (1st year)

2009-2010 Team Salary: $77.9 million

Projected 2010-2011 Team Salary: approximately $58.1 million

Off-Season Grade: Passed

Heading into this offseason, the Wizards felt that when healthy, they were a playoff-caliber team in the Eastern Conference. So instead of using their fifth pick to draft a young player, Washington decided to deal the selection along with a couple expendable post players to the T-Wolves for Randy Foye and Mike Miller.

This acquisition adds two players who can step in, contribute immediately, and help the Wizards get back to the postseason. Foye has a chance to be Gilert Arenas’ running mate in the backcourt and should be more effective playing off the ball rather than running the point like he did in Minnesota. Miller had the worst year of his career last season in Minnesota, but if he can bounce back, could be a steal for the Wizards and help them improve from their standing last year as the second-worst three-point shooting team in the league. If not, he is in the final year of his contract so it was worth the risk.

2009-2010 Outlook:

The health of this team will be the major factor in their success this season. Two of their starters, Arenas and Brendan Haywood, combined to play in just seven games last season leaving a major void at the point and down low. When playing at 100 percent, Agent Zero is one of the most dangerous scorers in the NBA. With a healthy Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, maybe only the Celtics have a better trio of scorers in the Eastern Conference.

The depth of the roster should be much stronger with the additions of Foye, Miller, and Fabricio Oberto. Many, including myself, are expecting second-year big man JaVale McGee to make a nice stride and become a bigger impact player inside. If all cylinders are clicking at once, Washington could make a lot of noise in the East.

Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:

Miller, Mike James, and Haywood all come off the books after this season, freeing up a little more than $22 million in cap space. Still, with the monster contracts of their big three, Washington should once again be well over the cap and have little offseason flexibility.

2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 16th