Wizards shockingly climb NBA power rankings after hot stretch

The Washington Wizards looked like one of the worst teams ever after two 16-game losing streaks, including a winless November. However, the new-look Wizards (13-51) are 3-3 in March and 4-4 with Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart in the lineup.

That’s why Washington raised two spots to No. 28 in Monday’s NBA power rankings before their last two losses, via NBA.com’s John Schumann.

“Through January, the Wizards had been outscored by 15.2 points per game, the worst point differential in NBA history. But they’ve climbed to minus-12.0 (fourth worst) over their 15 games since Feb. 1, having seen improvement on both ends of the floor,” he said. “Khris Middleton’s numbers (12.3 points and 4.1 assists per game, 45% shooting) aren’t particularly noteworthy, but since he started playing after the All-Star break, the Wizards have been 23.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor (plus-9.5) than with him off the floor (minus-13.8).”

The Wizards have seven wins in their last 17 games and had just six in their previous 47. They’re now ranked above the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz, who they beat 113-100 on March 1 and 125-122 on March 5, respectively. They also swept the Hornets (16-48) 4-0 in the season series.

Middleton and Smart, the latter of whom is averaging 10.4 points on 48.3 percent shooting with 2.4 assists and one steal across 19.3 minutes per game with Washington, have meshed better with the team than Kyle Kuzma did. The Wizards, of course, swapped Kuzma and Middleton in a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 5. They also got Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies for a package including Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis.

Smart averages more points and minutes than Bagley and Davis (7.3, 15.8) did combined for Washington this season, so he’s a clear upgrade. Meanwhile, Kuzma averaged 15.2 points on just 42 percent shooting, with 14.2 attempts per game. Middleton is averaging 11.8 points on a 43.8 percent clip with just 9.1 shots, so he’s been slightly more efficient while giving more opportunity for the young core to score.

The best part is that the Wizards are still 1.5 games ahead of the Jazz (15-50) for the NBA’s worst record despite their improvement. While the bottom three teams have the same odds to land any top-four draft pick in the lottery, the squad in dead last can’t fall below the No. 5 selection, via Tankathon.

The key for Washington going forward is to maintain that spot while the young players develop and keep the games competitive.

Wizards drop two straight after 4-2 run