The Washington Wizards’ season has started out very well. The Wizards have started the first month of the season at 13-8 and are currently half a game back of first place in the Eastern Conference as of December 1. This has been the best start to a Wizards season since they were called the Bullets  and has a lot of fans encouraged  for the rest of the season. 

This hot start has been fueled by bench star Montrezl Harrell, who has averaged 16.1 points per game (PPG) and 8.3 rebounds per game (REB) while shooting 64% from the field. Bradley Beal has also kept up his reputation as an elite scorer averaging 23.9 PPG. 

The Wizards defense has been outstanding this year, ranking in the top ten in points allowed and in total blocks per game and top 15 in field goal percentage (FG%) allowed. The offense has slowed down recently, only ranking 21st in PPG scored, but they still rank top 15 in FG%. The team has had amazing chemistry considering that most of the players have never played with each other as the Wizards were very active in the offseason. The Wizards are making the most of the new roster this offseason and are currently moving in the right direction towards being a playoff team. It won’t be easy, though, as the Eastern Conference has looked as good as it has in the last 10 years. The reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and other teams with high starpower like the Nets, Bulls, Heat, and 76ers all look to challenge the Wizards for their playoff spot but this hot start will hopefully help the Wizards be a top four seed in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Wizards making the playoffs can also help convince players like Beal to stay put. All offseason, it was rumored that Beal was planning to leave after this season, but with a deep playoff run, he could be swayed otherwise. Beal has been on the team since coming out of Florida in 2012, but he has never made it to the Conference Finals. Beal has been a star since his rookie season but has never had enough help to make it far in the playoffs. Beal is a three-time All Star and is a big part of the Wizards offense and locker room. While winning games should be the Wizards first priority, they must make sure they keep Beal for a few more years.