Predicting the Washington Wizards' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Washington Wizards' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By Dave Daniels

July 16, 2015

Predicting the Washington Wizards' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

John Wall Washington Wizards 2015 NBA Playoffs — The Washington Wizards unfortunately have a giant hole in their starting lineup after the departure of Paul Pierce to the Los Angeles Clippers, but they still have enough talent to make noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Most of their starting five will stay the same next season other than Pierce; however, it should be intriguing to see if they try to play Nene off of the bench. Here are my projected starters for Washington this year.

The Washington Wizards unfortunately have a giant hole in their starting lineup after the departure of Paul Pierce to the Los Angeles Clippers, but they still have enough talent to make noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Most of their starting five will stay the same next season other than Pierce; however, it should be intriguing to see if they try to play Nene off of the bench. Here are my projected starters for Washington this year.

5. Marcin Gortat- C

Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers

5. Marcin Gortat- C

Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers — Marcin Gortat had some solid averages last season and continues showing chemistry with John Wall. "The Polish Hammer" averaged 12.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 1.3 BPG while setting enough screens to help Wall become the All-Star Game's starting PG in the East. Gortat has proven to be a reliable force down low and should start again next season.

Marcin Gortat had some solid averages last season and continues showing chemistry with John Wall. "The Polish Hammer" averaged 12.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 1.3 BPG while setting enough screens to help Wall become the All-Star Game's starting PG in the East. Gortat has proven to be a reliable force down low and should start again next season.

4. Nene- PF

Nene Hilario Greg Monroe Washington Wizards Detroit Pistons

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4. Nene- PF

Nene Hilario Greg Monroe Washington Wizards Detroit Pistons — As much as I'd love for the Wizards to play small ball, they just don't have the personnel to make it work. Alan Anderson was a nice pickup by Washington, but he isn't big enough to contend with teams like the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. Nene will get the starting nod at PF more often than not, assuming he can stay healthy.

As much as I'd love for the Wizards to play small ball, they just don't have the personnel to make it work. Alan Anderson was a nice pickup by Washington, but he isn't big enough to contend with teams like the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. Nene will get the starting nod at PF more often than not, assuming he can stay healthy.

3. Otto Porter Jr.- SF

Detroit Pistons v Washington Wizards

3. Otto Porter Jr.- SF

Detroit Pistons v Washington Wizards — It is time for Otto Porter Jr. to grow up. He got a chance to learn under one of the best SFs ever, and that will hopefully get the former Georgetown Hoya's career moving in the right direction. Porter had a mediocre regular season before raising his game in the playoffs, and playing more minutes next year will only help his numbers.

It is time for Otto Porter Jr. to grow up. He got a chance to learn under one of the best SFs ever, and that will hopefully get the former Georgetown Hoya's career moving in the right direction. Porter had a mediocre regular season before raising his game in the playoffs, and playing more minutes next year will only help his numbers.

2. Bradley Beal- SG

New York Knicks v Washington Wizards

2. Bradley Beal- SG

New York Knicks v Washington Wizards — Did you know that Bradley Beal and Nelly go way back? I didn't believe that story at first either, but it is true. Beal is slowly developing into one of the best SGs in the league, and he should have even better averages in this coming year since the Wizards will rely more on his shooting after the departure of Pierce.

Did you know that Bradley Beal and Nelly go way back? I didn't believe that story at first either, but it is true. Beal is slowly developing into one of the best SGs in the league, and he should have even better averages in this coming year since the Wizards will rely more on his shooting after the departure of Pierce.

1. John Wall- PG

John Wall

1. John Wall- PG

John Wall — You probably saw this one coming. John Wall will be Washington's starting PG for the next few years barring any tragic injuries, and he'll have a decent shot at being named the East's starter in the All-Star Game yet again this season. Can Wall raise his game to the MVP level? That remains to be seen.

You probably saw this one coming. John Wall will be Washington's starting PG for the next few years barring any tragic injuries, and he'll have a decent shot at being named the East's starter in the All-Star Game yet again this season. Can Wall raise his game to the MVP level? That remains to be seen.

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