Eastern Conference team ‘blew offseason’ after blockbuster Golden State Warriors trade

The future of the Washington Wizards will be under close monitoring from Golden State Warriors’ fans eager to evaluate the teams’ blockbuster deal centered around Jordan Poole and Chris Paul this offseason.

With the departure of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, the Wizards appear set for a major rebuild following years of plugging away in the NBA’s no-man’s land — nor good enough to compete for championships or bad enough to accrue top five draft picks.

The Washington Wizards didn’t go far enough with their rebuild after the huge draft day trade with the Golden State Warriors in June.

Although the Wizards are projected to be worse than their 35-47 record last season, their roster may prove more competitive than first expected. In Poole and Kyle Kuzma they have two players who can go for 30+ on any given night, and there’s an array of veteran talent.

But that’s not necessarily a good thing for the Wizards. In an article looking at seven NBA teams who blew it the offseason, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has evaluated that Washington didn’t go far enough in tearing it down.

"“The meager Bradley Beal trade return wasn’t the fault of this front office, and turning Chris Paul’s expiring contract into Jordan Poole and a future first-round pick should age nicely”, Swartz wrote."

While the trade with the Warriors was a good start according to Swartz, he questioned why Washington stopped where they did before adding, “there’s still way too many veterans on this roster to be the worst team in the NBA, something the Wizards should be shooting for”. 

The Poole-Paul trade has been debated at length since it took place, and no doubt early assumptions will be made based on the form of both players early this season. The 24-year-old guard has increased his scoring in each of his first four seasons, with another jump likely given the increased responsibility he’ll now hold in Washington.

Other teams who blew it this offseason according to Swartz — the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors.