22
Oct
5 min read
Washington Wizards NBA Profile: Five things you need to know
Won their only NBA title as the Washington Bullets
- Storied history dating back to 1961
- Lone championship came in 1978 as the Washington Bullets
- Home to legends like Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Earl Monroe
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington D.C. with a rich history spanning more than 60 years. Though they've struggled in recent decades, the franchise has a championship pedigree and has featured some of the greatest players in NBA history.
Key Details
Location: Washington, D.C.
Year Founded: 1961 (as Chicago Packers)
Home Arena: Capital One Arena
Championships: 1 (1978)
Major Rivals: Cleveland Cavaliers, Baltimore/Philadelphia 76ers
Australians who have played for the Washington Wizards
There have been no Australian basketballers to suit up for the Wizards.
Identity
The Wizards have traditionally emphasised an up-tempo, high-scoring style of play. In their championship era of the 1970s, they were known for tough defense and rebounding as well. More recently, they've built around dynamic guard play.
Playing Style
Washington aims to push the pace and score in transition when possible. They've relied heavily on their backcourt to create offense, with an emphasis on three-point shooting in recent years.
Club Culture
The Wizards have worked to build a winning culture after years of struggles. There's a strong connection to the franchise's history, with legends like Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes remaining involved. The team has also prioritized community outreach in the D.C. area.
Legacy & Impact
Greatest Eras 1970s: Led by Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes, the then-Bullets made four NBA Finals appearances in the decade, winning it all in 1978.
2000s: The Gilbert Arenas-led Wizards made four straight playoff appearances from 2005-2008.
2010s: John Wall and Bradley Beal formed one of the NBA's most dynamic backcourts, leading Washington to the playoffs in 4 of 5 seasons from 2014-2018.
Famous Teams: 1977-78 Washington Bullets, won the franchise's lone NBA championship; and 2016-17 Washington Wizards, won 49 games and the Southeast Division title
Key Figures
Wes Unseld: Hall of Fame centre, 1969 MVP, heart of the championship team
Elvin Hayes: Hall of Fame power forward, franchise leader in points and rebounds
Earl Monroe: Hall of Fame guard known as "Earl the Pearl"
Gilbert Arenas: Three-time All-Star who led Wizards' resurgence in mid-2000s
John Wall: Five-time All-Star point guard who helped return franchise to relevance
Five Fast Facts
- The franchise began as the Chicago Packers in 1961, then moved to Baltimore as the Bullets in 1963 before settling in Washington D.C. in 1973.
- They've had three different team names while in D.C. - Capital Bullets (1973-74), Washington Bullets (1974-1997), and Washington Wizards (1997-present).
- Wes Unseld is the only player in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (1969).
- Michael Jordan came out of retirement to play for the Wizards from 2001-2003.
- Bradley Beal set the franchise single-season scoring record in 2020-21, averaging 31.3 points per game.
Club Timeline
1961: Franchise founded as Chicago Packers
1963: Team moves to Baltimore, becomes the Bullets
1969: Wes Unseld wins MVP as a rookie
1973: Franchise relocates to Washington D.C.
1978: Defeat Seattle SuperSonics to win NBA championship
1997: Team name changed to Wizards
2001: Michael Jordan comes out of retirement to play for Washington
2010: Team drafts John Wall first overall
2019: Bradley Beal emerges as franchise cornerstone
Key Statistics
All-Time Record: 2,234-2,731 (.450 winning percentage)
Championship History: 1 NBA Championship (1978)
Hall of Fame Players: 10
Retired Numbers: 5 (10, 11, 25, 41, 45)
Notable Records:
- Most points in a season: Bradley Beal (2,070 in 2020-21)
- Most assists in a season: John Wall (831 in 2016-17)
Today
The Wizards are in the early stages of a rebuild after trading away franchise cornerstone Bradley Beal in the 2023 offseason. They finished with a 15-67 record in 2023-24, the second-worst in the NBA.
Washington is now building around young talent like 2024 second overall draft pick Alex Sarr and guard Jordan Poole. Under new head coach Brian Keefe, the Wizards will look to develop their young core while likely remaining near the bottom of the standings as they accumulate assets for the future.
The franchise is focused on player development and culture-building in hopes of returning to contention in the coming years. With a mix of promising prospects and future draft picks, the Wizards are taking a patient approach to constructing their next competitive team.
