The Ultimate NBA Cheat Sheet – Mid-Season

Hey, I have spent the past week or two compiling this massive summary of each team’s season so far. I hope that y’all find this useful. Each team has all their basic stats, a paragraph written about their 3 best players, some lineup data, their strengths and weaknesses, a rank of how fun the team is to watch, as well as how important their season is (which probably should be viewed as their need to win urgency instead), some potential trades, and a summary.

**Washington Wizards (WAS)**

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**The Basics:**

Current Win-Loss: 9-38

Last 10: 3-7

Record Against top ten teams: 0-16

Preseason Expected Wins: 24.5

Current Pace: 16-66

Power Ranking Tier: Hit the Clubs (F)

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**Team play:**

Offensive Rating: 111.6 (25th)

Defensive Rating: 120.0 (28th)

Net Rating: -8.4 (27th)

Pace: 103.2 (1st)

Best lineups: With at least ⅓ time as (the most played one(Most played will be in parentheses))

3: D. Gafford – J. Poole – D. Avdija

(3): T. Jones – K. Kuzma – D. Gafford

Net Rating: -2.2

(Net Rating): -7.0

Minutes played(976): 598

4: T. Jones – D. Gafford – J. Poole – D. Avdija

(4): T. Jones – K. Kuzma – D. Gafford – J. Poole

Net Rating: -1.6

(Net Rating): -6.3

Minutes Played(771): 572

5: T. Jones – K. Kuzma – D. Gafford – J. Poole – D. Avdija

(5): T. Jones – K. Kuzma – D. Gafford – J. Poole – D. Avdija

Net Rating: -0.9

(Net Rating): -0.9

Minutes Played(554): 554

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**Three best players:**

\*One of the teams I watch the most of sadly is the Wizards and I can confidently say that Poole is not one of their 3 best players\*

Kyle Kuzma:

22 Points/ 7 Rebounds/ 4 Assists/ 3 Turnovers/ 0 Steals/ 1 Blocks 2pt%: 52.7% 3pt%: 33.1% Ft%: 79.9%

Kyle Kuzma’s evolution with the Washington Wizards illustrates the multifaceted challenges of transitioning into the team’s primary offensive focal point. With an increased scoring output, Kuzma has embraced the hefty responsibilities of leading the Wizards’ offense, showcasing an ability to handle a significant load while maintaining a consistent presence on the court. While proficient at finishing at the rim, his prowess in drawing contact and maximizing scoring opportunities during drives could see further refinement. Despite a commendable scoring role, Kuzma’s midrange game lags, marking an area for potential improvement to diversify his offensive threat. Defensively, his impact has seen a dip from previous seasons, likely a repercussion of his expanded offensive duties. Kuzma’s three-point shooting, although generally below average, finds a niche in corner shots, indicating a specific strength that the Wizards could exploit strategically. As he continues to adjust to being the primary target of opposing defenses, Kuzma’s journey is one of balancing his offensive leadership with enhancing areas like defensive engagement and shot efficiency, particularly from midrange, to solidify his stature as a central figure in the Wizards’ roster.

Tyus Jones:

12 Points/ 3 Rebounds/ 6 Assists/ 1 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 0 Blocks 2pt%: 54.7% 3pt%: 40.3% Ft%: 74.2%

Tyus Jones’ tenure with the Washington Wizards epitomizes the archetype of a steadfast and reliable playmaker, whose game is characterized by an exceptional command over the court’s rhythm and an acute awareness of his teammates’ positioning. As one of the league’s most consistent players in terms of assist-to-turnover ratio, Jones exhibits a meticulous approach to ball handling, opting for precision and stability over riskier, high-reward plays. His offensive repertoire is further bolstered by a commendable shooting proficiency from various spots on the floor, although his free-throw shooting and overall shooting volume suggest areas where more assertiveness could enhance his impact. Despite his noteworthy contributions on the offensive end, Jones’ defensive presence has seen a decline; once a fairly average defender, his current performance indicates a noticeable dip, lacking the requisite physicality or tactical acumen to stem the tide against opposing offenses. This defensive shortfall, combined with a conservative offensive approach that prioritizes safeguarding possession over creative playmaking, frames Jones as a player with a specialized but limited impact. As he progresses, fostering a balance between his inherent cautiousness and a more dynamic offensive engagement, coupled with a revitalized focus on defensive improvement, could significantly elevate his role within the Wizards’ strategic framework.

Deni Avdija:

12 Points/ 6 Rebounds/ 4 Assists/ 2 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 0 Blocks 2pt%: 54.7% 3pt%: 38.0% Ft%: 75.9%

Deni Avdija’s journey with the Washington Wizards is marked by significant strides in his development, painting him as a multifaceted asset to the team. His notable improvement in finishing at the rim and corner three-point shooting underscores a growing offensive maturity, contributing to an expanding and efficient scoring portfolio. Avdija’s defensive prowess is notable as well, showcasing a versatility that enables him to guard multiple positions effectively, adding a layer of strategic depth to the Wizards’ defensive schemes. Despite these advancements, Avdija’s performance from the midrange is notably subpar, presenting a stark contrast to his proficiency in other scoring areas and suggesting a focal point for further skill refinement. On the playmaking front, while Avdija demonstrates commendable vision and capability, his ball-handling is sometimes marred by a higher tendency for turnovers, hinting at a need for more measured decision-making under pressure. As Avdija continues to harness his strengths and address the nuances of his game, his evolving skill set, coupled with a commitment to all-round improvement, solidifies his role as a significant contributor to the Wizards, offering a blend of offensive versatility, defensive tenacity, and the potential for even greater impact in seasons to come.

Strengths:

The Washington Wizards’ current season showcases an offense that, while not topping the charts, demonstrates moments of strategic proficiency and player development. The team excels in converting layup assists, signaling an effective approach in creating scoring opportunities around the basket. This proficiency is complemented by a pace that ranks first in the league, indicative of a game strategy that emphasizes quick transitions and a high-tempo play style. Such a pace not only keeps opponents on their toes but also cultivates an environment conducive to the growth and development of their younger roster. The Wizards’ commitment to this fast-paced play and the development of their players like Deni Avdija, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kispert and others underscores a forward-looking approach, focusing on harnessing the potential of their young talents and laying a foundation for future competitiveness. Despite the challenges of the current season, the Wizards exhibit a strategic approach aimed at nurturing a cohesive and dynamic team, leveraging their strengths to build a promising foundation for the seasons to come.

Weaknesses:

The Washington Wizards’ season is marked by significant challenges that underscore areas in need of development and strategic recalibration. Defensively, the team faces substantial obstacles, as reflected in their ranking of 29th in defensive rating, indicating pronounced vulnerabilities in containing opponents’ scoring across the board. This defensive shortfall is compounded by a propensity to allow opponents efficient scoring from the 3-point line, corner shots, and in the paint, underscoring the need for a more cohesive and robust defensive approach. Offensively, while the Wizards demonstrate potential in specific metrics like layup assists, their overall offensive execution often lacks the fluidity and innovation that could elevate their scoring opportunities. The predictability in their offensive sets and inefficiency in critical scoring areas hint at an over-reliance on a fast-paced strategy, which, while potent in creating opportunities, does not always translate to a balanced offensive threat. As the team navigates through this phase of restructuring and development, addressing these offensive and defensive vulnerabilities will be pivotal in transforming their strategic vision into tangible progress and building a more competitive and cohesive team for future seasons.

Fun rating 1/6:
Wizards games this season has been a less-than-ideal experience, marked by perplexing lineup choices and a noticeable absence of star power. The team’s on-court dynamics often leave fans bewildered, particularly with the frequent and questionable shot selections by players like Jordan Poole. Adding to the disappointment is the aesthetic downgrade in team merchandise, with this season’s City Jerseys failing to capture the allure of the previously celebrated Cherry Blossom edition. The combination of these factors contributes to a less engaging and often frustrating viewing experience for fans

**The Future:**

Importance of season 1/5:

The Wizards have embraced a new chapter, decisively committing to a rebuild. They’ve strategically accumulated an impressive array of second-round draft picks and pick swaps, creating significant tax space in the process. With a capable front office now steering the ship, the Wizards are charting a course toward future success. Although the journey back to relevance and respectability presents its challenges, the team’s recent moves signal a promising and structured path forward, offering hope for a brighter and more competitive future.

Potential trades:

Trade 1: Trade for Ben Simmons. The Wizards would have to give up Jordan Poole, and probably Johnny Davis maybe along with a 2nd Rounder. This trade gets the Wizards off the Jordan Poole contract which runs for 3 seasons after this one to the Simmons contract which expires after next season.

Trade 2: Trade for Spencer Dinwiddie. The Wizards would probably have to give up Poole plus a 1st probably the Warriors 2030 1st Rounder. This gets the Wizards off the Poole contract after this season and allows the Wizards to seek a player like Bruce Brown, Malik Monk, or Gary Trent Jr to fill that 2 guard role with a player aligns with the current timeline and needs as a rebuilding team.

Trade Notes: While there has been a lot of talk about trading away Tyus Jones or Kuzma the market has indicated that Jones is not worth a 1st, and Kuzma’s market is smaller than expected as seen by his lack of offers last off season. Holding onto these players, hiring a new coach in the off season, and using another expectedly poor season record wise to adequately develop the young players.

Upcoming Draft situation: 1 1st Rounder their own top 12 protected that can be swapped with Memphis, or the Suns.

Projected Tax Space: 44.6 Million

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**TLDR:**

Summary:

The Washington Wizards’ season is a narrative of transition, with the team straddling the line between rebuilding and development. Players like Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones, and Deni Avdija embody the team’s evolving dynamics; Kuzma’s offensive leadership is contrasted by areas needing refinement, Jones’s precise playmaking is offset by defensive challenges, and Avdija’s improvement in scoring and defense is marred by inconsistencies. The team’s strategy, marked by a fast-paced approach and emphasis on player growth, underscores a future-focused blueprint but also exposes vulnerabilities, particularly in defensive containment and offensive execution. As the Wizards navigate this transformational phase, their trajectory hinges on strategic decisions, trades, and effective utilization of draft and financial resources. Balancing immediate challenges with nurturing young talent is key, setting the stage for a future that aspires not just for competitiveness but for a legacy marked by strategic growth and basketball excellence. The Wizards’ path is thus a blend of present adaptation and a deliberate march towards a robust and competitive resurgence.

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**Project Notes:**

This was a fair amount of work I ended up writing around 50,000 words and if you would like to support ongoing updates for this project you can do so here

[https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark)

Also, there is a mega compilation on my substack, with a bit of an explainer about why I chose to make this

[https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm\_campaign=post&utm\_medium=web](https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)

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**The future of this project:**

The goal for the next update will be right after the trade deadline, I will summarize the outlook for each, and refresh the stats, upcoming draft capital, and lineup data for the team

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I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look and discuss their evolving roles

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This project also originally included storylines/notable events, random interesting stats, and various memes surrounding each team. The next update of this will hopefully include all of those. However, if I could get various suggestions for each of the categories from fans of different teams that would be a major help

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**What I am looking for**

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**Storylines/notable events:**

A storyline/notable event should be something interesting that would otherwise forgotten when looking at this team’s particular NBA season

A storyline last year for the Hawks could’ve been John Collin’s eternal trade discussions

A notable event for the Raptors last year could’ve been Fred Van Fleet’s epic rant against Ben Taylor

A storyline/notable event for the Lakers last year could’ve been the animosity between Westbrook and Lebron, such as ignoring each other at the summer league.

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**Random interesting stats:**

These are just interesting stats going on for the team or particular player. They can be for the season as a whole or just a stretch

A good example of one was the Warrior’s home versus road performance last year

Another one is how Embiid is averaging more points than minutes played this year

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**Memes:**

These are just funny things to have happen for a particular team

Mike Brown bringing a laptop to a press conference

Pat Bev showing the Ref the camera

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**Long long term goals:**

I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look like, and discuss their evolving roles them interesting. Also to talk about what schemes each teams run and when. But that would require a lot of film breakdown.

by DeficientFooting