After being one of the worst defensive teams in 2025-26, the Washington Wizards are focused on changing the narrative in 2026-27
For a team that ranked 24th in three point defense, 26th in field goal percentage allowed and 29th in points allowed while owning the NBA's worst rebounding differential, improving defensively is a clear and understandable focus for the Washington Wizards in 2026-27.
Months after noting that the train is beginning to leave the station, Washington will continue to allow the train to roll at a "controlled pace" that general manager Will Dawkins emphasized will be dictated by the players. Yet Washington is also looking to do so with expectations for improved play on the court, which could come on both ends of the floor.
Who becomes the primary scorer for a Wizards' lineup that features ample options will be a question for the games to sort out, but improving a defense that ranked among the NBA's worst a season ago is a priority.
"We're here to play defense and we think we have the personnel in the locker room to do so," general manager Will Dawkins said.
Yet one season after narrowly avoiding the NBA's worst in fouls and allowing the third-most paint points across the league, Dawkins emphasized the need for the Wizards to improve at the rim and on the glass. A portion of the expected jump will come from the new personnel. Alex Sarr is expected to be available by the season opener, giving the Wizards a potential imposing tandem with the French center paired with Anthony Davis. Deandre Ayton arrives as the upgraded backup center as Dawkins pointed to the former Suns and Lakers forward as "probably the best backup center in the league."
Ayton's arrival also allows the Wizards frontcourt to deploy double big lineups alongside Sarr and Davis, though the arrival of Ayton upgrades Washington's rebounding efforts after his eight rebounds in his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers ranked 19th across the NBA. Maybe most encouraging is it marked Ayton's first season averaging under ten rebounds per game, addressing the Wizards' concern with proven NBA production.
With Sarr expected to be available for Opening Night while remaining a partial participant through training camp, part of the offseason optimism has stemmed from the frontcourt pairing with Oct. 21 potentially the first night fans get a chance to see Davis and Sarr paired together. With the tandem expected to anchor the rotation while Dawkins also pointed to Sarr as capable of "making plays" when discussing the roster's ball handlers, the addition of Ayton gives the frontcourt three centers who have combined to average five blocks over their careers. That alone could make Washington a top-third defensive frontcourt across the NBA -- on paper.
The addition of longtime NBA coach Steve Clifford as a consultant, or new assistant and Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing, also aid efforts in the defensive turnaround, but some of last season's tape showed signs of confidence. Dawkins pointed to the Wizards' best ten game stretch from 2025-26 as reason for optimism that a defensive turnaround can materialize, but the impact on the added length and size to this season's roster is hard to ignore.
"I think we're longer, we're bigger, and we got a little bit more grown man strength to compete inside," Dawkins said. "And basketball starts at the rim, take away the free throws and take away open shots, and kind of live with the rest. And I think we have the right makeup to get back toward that top 15 defense more consistently."
