Welcome to the inaugural edition of eDraft’s NBA Season Preview. We turn our attention on to the Southeast Division, covering everyone from the pretenders to the contenders. Today we take a look at the Wizards. This young team looks ready to take the next step, but does John Wall have what it takes to get them there?

Key additions: Trevor Ariza (G/F), Emeka Okafor (C), Bradley Beal
(3rd overall, G)

The Washington Wizards will be able to finally put the disastrous Gilbert Arenas years behind them as they look to claim a playoff spot for the first time since the 2007-08 season and become relevant once again in Washington’s suddenly thriving sport culture. The transformation of the Wizards has been two years in the making and will shake up the power dynamics in the Eastern Conference for seasons to come.

The Wizards are led by the mercurial young guard John Wall. After two disappointing seasons, Wall looks to enter the top ranks of NBA point guards this year, but he will have to develop a jump shot if this is to happen. His speed and court vision are both outstanding—Wall has all the necessary tools. It’s not totally clear what’s been holding Wall back from his full potential but at least part of the problem stems from a generally chaotic team environment.

To its credit management bravely purged the roster of two potentially excellent players, Andray Blatche and Javale McGee, when their immaturity proved destructive to team chemistry. The 2012-13 Wizards will benefit from the wisdom and guidance that newcomers Emeka Okafor (career averages of 12.7 PPG-10.1 RPG-1.8 BPG) and Trevor Ariza (2011-12 10.8 PPG-5.2 RPG-3.3 APG-1.7 SPG) will bring to the locker room, and these two defensive specialists should make Washington tough to score against. Which is good, because the Wizards may have trouble scoring themselves given the assembly of poor shooters on this squad. The lack of outside scoring threats goes a long way to explaining Wall’s struggles through his first two seasons. Wall is most effective when he penetrates and then either finishes at the rim or kicks it out to an open teammate at the perimeter. The problem with the Wizards is that Wall has few options to pass it to when the defense collapses around him, and in these situations he tends to force bad shots.

Draftee Bradley Beal may provide some relief. Often compared to Ray Allen, Beal was the best shooter in the draft and should be starting by the end of the season. This backcourt could emerge as the leagues best in a few years time.

Jan Vesely, the high jumping Czech who shook up the basketball world at the 2011 draft when he kissed his girlfriend (God we are children), should be getting lots of playing time at the small forward spot this season. Fans who watched the grainy pre-draft footage of Vesely dunking on inferior European talent were disappointed by his play last year (4.7 PPG in 19 minutes per game), but Vesely is capable of averaging double-digit points if the Wizards can get out and run. At the power forward position veteran Nene will again prove his worth both at the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, and should finally put to rest grumblings that emerged last season over his hefty contract.

The Wizards are a franchise plagued. From bad luck (Weber!), to ghastly contracts, to locker room gunplay the team has known more bad years than good in its existence. There are no guarantees with this club, as all Washington fans know, but the future for once looks bright and the playoffs should be an attainable goal.

Reason for optimism: Kevin Seraphin is the real deal, give this man more playing time!

Reason for despair: Jordan Crawford (39% FGP career) is often the second option on this club.

Projected record: 37-45