Realistic Expectations for the Wizards this season

Wizards Guard Jordan Poole poses for a picture in his new threadsEntering last season, there was a “playoffs or bust” mindset among the Washington Wizards’ management. The new-look squad, built around Bradley Beal, had their sights set on a top-6 seed.

Then-General Manager Tommy Sheppard gave Beal a supermax contract, elected not to trade Kyle Kuzma, and signed veteran pieces to round out the group.

Everything the Wizards had done over the previous two seasons prepared them to make a deep playoff run:

Held on to Beal at the 2021 and 2022 trade deadlines

Traded for Kristaps Porzingis at the 2022 trade deadline

Traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Monte Morris to fill an immediate need for a…