Washington Wizards

The Wizards remain a team in rebuild after trading Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis last summer. The team did not move in the lottery, landing the second pick in the draft, where they drafted big man Alexandre Sarr. Carlton “Bub” Carrington and Kyshawn George were also acquired through draft day trades, continuing Washington’s youth movement.

Last season the Wizards were in the middle of the pack in terms of health, though some of the games lost were by design. Isaiah Livers was acquired from the Pistons but never suited up for team due to hip inflammation. He missed 36 games (16 percent of the team’s total games lost) before being waived.

The front office took a similar gamble in the offseason, signing forward Saddiq Bey to a three-year deal despite the fact that the forward suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in March. It remains unclear how much Bey will play this year as he continues his rehab. 

Guard Malcolm Brogdon will also provide a challenge for Dr. Michael Ashton and the rest of the Wizards medical team as the newly acquired guard has shown a propensity for injury. Brogdon has missed an average of 23 games a season since joining the league due to an assortment of injuries including a quad tendon tear, a lingering elbow injury, and recurring foot and heel issues. He will begin the year on the inactive list after undergoing surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament sustained in training camp.