Anyone for the Toronto Raptors to worry about from the Southeast Division?

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Last season’s record: 43 – 39

This season forecast: 44 – 38

Welcome:  Troy Brown, Issuf Sanon, Jeff Green, Austin Rivers, Dwight Howard, and Thomas Bryant

Farewell: Mike Scott and Marcin Gortat

Last season, the Washington Wizards, much like the Toronto Raptors, believed they had the talent to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference. However, also much like the Raptors, the Wizards saw their postseason end disappointingly early.

The Wizards were eliminated by the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs.

After another disappointing postseason, the Wizards decided changes need to be made. The team needed to surround their core group of John Wall and Bradley Beal with more energy and more physicality.

This has resulted in Troy Brown, Issuf Sanon, Jeff Green, Austin Rivers, Dwight Howard, and Thomas Bryant all joining the team.

The most peculiar of this list is Dwight Howard. Howard, even past his prime, can still be an impactful player. However, the Wizards gave up a similar player in Marcin Gortat, who is more of a versatile player and does a better job of understanding his role.

Jeff Green is another versatile wing who has veteran leadership and is fresh off of a trip to the NBA finals himself. Austin Rivers is another good pickup for the Wizards who will serve as a strong backup to John Wall.

Once again the Wizards will be set up for another season where they could explode into the conversation of the Raptors, 76ers, and Celtics. The trick will be whether they can actually pull together the team and be cohesive to be as strong as they are on paper.