General manager Will Dawkins says Brian Keefe is set to return for his third season as head coach of the Washington Wizards in 2026-27
The Washington Wizards will not enter the offseason with any controversy or questions at the top: Brian Keefe is expected to return as head coach in 2026-27.
General manager Will Dawkins confirmed the news during his end of season press conference on Thursday morning, ending any speculation about whether a third full season with the franchise will materialize.
Keefe was first named the interim head coach back on Jan. 25, 2024 after taking over for Wes Unseld with the Wizards ending the season 15-67 overall, including 8-31 under the interim head coach.
The Wizards then moved to make Keefe the permanent head coach to start the 2024-25 season with the organization just 35-129 since then. The news also comes fresh off the Wizards finishing the 2025-26 season with the worst record in the NBA at 17-65 overall.
While the Wizards close the book on the worst three year stretch in franchise history, Keefe's 43-160 record also marks the worst record by a coach through at least 200 games in NBA history. Keefe, who said this season laid the "foundation" for the road ahead, also holds the worst winning percentage in franchise history among coaches who have held the title for a full season. It also occurred during a span when Keefe was not given a roster that could win now.
Yet there was individual development along the way, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic noted, such as the rise of Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George during their sophomore seasons and the emergence of Will Riley through his rookie campaign. Now, it will be about putting it all together for sustained success beginning in 2026-27.
Keefe also returns for a third season as the permanent head coach with much expectations that previous years, especially given both Monumental Sports president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins have reiterated that the deconstruction phase of the rebuild is now complete.
Beyond what pick the team draws in the upcoming NBA Draft, Washington has its own questions to answer this offseason like making sure Anthony Davis has two feet in, along with addressing a long term resolution with Trae Young's contract. Young's contract could be addressed first with a near $49 million player option deadline approaching in late June, yet his return gives the Wizards a key piece that elevates the expectations inside Capital One Arena.
Keefe will now look to lead the Wizards back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21 and just the second time over the last decade.