Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2024-25 Washington Wizards Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

by Spencer Toth - 10/16/2024

Washington Wizards predictions Bilal Coulibaly

The Washington Wizards will have no intention of winning games this season, as the priority is developing their squad over competing for a playoff spot. Their 21.5 win total is the second lowest in the league, but there are still plenty of reasons for optimism in Washington. The expectations couldn’t be lower for the Wizards. However, can Washington pull off a few upsets to generate momentum heading into next season?

Doc’s Sports offers NBA picks for every game on our NBA predictions page.

Washington Wizards Offseason Recap

The Wizards made all the right moves over the offseason and have set themselves up nicely for the future. They signed a few high-level free agents, drafted Alex Sarr second overall in the NBA draft, and secured a boatload of draft picks and assets for one of their young talents in the trade market. 

Let’s start with the departures. Washington traded Denis Avdija to Portland in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon, 14th overall pick Carlton Carrington, and three draft picks. Avdija has a promising future in the NBA, but there is no denying the return Washington got is well worth his absence. Brogdon will be a fantastic asset off the bench and could be flipped later on during the season. Carton “Bub” Carrington will feature for the Wizards this season, and the trio of draft picks is added to the stockpile collecting in the Wizards back pocket. 

Washington landed one of the best free agent big men available, as Jonas Valanciunas will elevate this squad’s ceiling. Valanciunas is in his thirteenth year in the league and has been a consistent rebounder over the last decade. Last year was the first time he didn’t collect double digit rebounds per game in the last six years, but that was largely due to his reduction in minutes for the Pelicans. He will feature heavily in the Wizards lineup and will vacuum up boards like never before. 

The Wizards had three first round picks this year, but the most impactful addition will be Alex Sarr, who was drafted second overall. Sarr will instantly slot into the Wizards starting lineup and could be the cornerstone piece the franchise builds around. Sarr is 7-foot-1 but moves around like an average NBA player. It’s extremely rare to find a player with his height and mobility combination, which will make him an incredibly difficult player to not only guard, but to get passed defensively as well. Sarr can handle the ball in transition, but his best offense comes in the pick-and-roll game. The league saw what Victor Wembanyama could do with his frame last season, and Sarr could come close to replicating that this year. 

Washington Wizards Season Expectations

The Wizards have very limited season expectations, but there will still be plenty of positives to take away from the year. Bilal Coulibaly was the Wizards first round pick last year and will be getting a much larger share of the floor this year. He is still just 20 years old and showed flashes of brilliance last year. The development of Coulibaly and Sarr will be the best measuring stick for the Wizards season. The Washington front office would rather see the two develop nicely in a 15-win campaign than an injury or downtick in production but a 35 win season. 

Washington still has a pair of lively NBA guards with Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, both of whom are looking to make a career resurgence with the Wizards. Kuzma was the leading scorer for the Wizards last year with 22.2 PPG, with Poole not too far behind at 17.4 PPG. The Washington starting lineup is certainly capable of pulling off upsets throughout the season, but they will probably be too few and far between to allow the Wizards to play meaningful late season basketball. 

Washington Wizards Schedule Breakdown

Washington plays five of their first six games at home before embarking on a five-game, two-week road trip to start the season. It is no surprise to see the Wizards with just five nationally televised broadcasts, as they are expected to be one of the worst and least watchable teams in the league. The one bright spot about the Wizards schedule is the fact they will get to spend the holidays with their families as they are home from December 24th until January 3rd. 

Washington Wizards Odds

The Wizards have a rock bottom 21.5 win total. And even though they won’t be challenging for a playoff spot this season, this total is way too low. Washington has all the tools needed to compete with the bottom half of the league. And once you factor in a few upsets over top teams, the Wizards will surpass this total with several games to spare. It won’t be enough for them to cash a +2000 playoff ticket, and there isn’t even a reason to discuss their +100000 odds to win the championship. 

The NBA Cup is the only chance the Wizards have at silverware, and even that is a longshot. They are +2800 to finish on top of a group featuring the Celtics, Cavaliers, Hawks, and Bulls. 

2024-25 Washington Wizards Season Predictions and Best Bets

The Wizards will have as successful a season a rebuilding team can hope to have. They will double their 15-67 record last season by finishing this year 30-52. The Wizards young players all have incredibly high ceilings, and the team is poised to break out in a big way. Kuzma and Poole can provide scoring sparks at a moment’s notice, while Sarr and Valanciunas will protect the paint defensively. There is no reason to take a shot at the Wizards playoff odds, as that is too big a step to expect over a single season. The future is bright for the Wizards, and I will be absolutely hammering their overs this season. 

Pick: Washington Wizards Over 21.5 Wins

Top Pick: Washington Wizards 25+ Wins +230

Pick: Washington Wizards 30+ Wins +700

Get NBA picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent NBA Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers