Brian Keefe's inaugural season as head coach of the Washington Wizards was marked by disappointing results, culminating in a ranking as the worst coach in the NBA according to an anonymous poll of players. With the Wizards finishing with an abysmal 18-64 record, players pointed to Keefe's inability to improve a porous defense and an inefficient offense, as evidenced by two dramatic losing streaks of 16 games each.

Despite leading the team to a slight improvement from the previous season's 15-67 finish, the Wizards still ended the year as one of the league's bottom feeders. Only the Utah Jazz recorded more losses. Many players abstained from ranking coaches, suggesting that external factors, such as injuries and player performance, heavily influence a coach's effectiveness.

Cooper Flagg is officially declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft after a standout season at Duke, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Flagg is projected to be a top pick, joining the ranks of elite prospects. The NBA draft lottery, set for May 12 in Chicago, will determine the order for teams vying for the top selection. The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets currently hold the highest odds at 14%. Unlike the NFL, the NBA lottery aims to prevent teams from 'tanking' for better picks. Flagg's potential pairing with Victor Wembanyama, a rookie sensation, is an exciting possibility as the Spurs have a slim chance of landing the top choice. This year's lottery marks the 40th iteration of the event, with various teams eager to reshape their futures.

The 2025 NBA Draft order has been largely finalized following the conclusion of the NBA regular season. The lottery teams, notably the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets, are in the spotlight, all vying for the top pick to draft the highly coveted Cooper Flagg, who declared for the draft. The tiebreaker system will determine the final positioning among lottery contenders, creating an intriguing landscape as teams jostle for better odds. Meanwhile, playoff teams like the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies have traded their picks, showcasing the ongoing trend of teams prioritizing immediate success over future assets. The upcoming lottery on May 12 will be a crucial date, as more than half of the first-round picks could change hands before the draft itself.

The 2024-25 NBA Draft order is starting to take shape after the final day of the NBA regular season, when many teams finalized their draft slots. Despite positioning, a few playoff teams are still unsure of their picks due to tiebreakers that will be decided by random drawings.

Key teams in the lottery include the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets, all vying for the top pick and the chance to draft coveted prospect Cooper Flagg. The Bulls and Mavericks will contend for the 11th and 12th picks, while the Atlanta Hawks could potentially swap positions with the Sacramento Kings depending on the results of a drawing. The Miami Heat's pick, now at 15, is headed to Oklahoma City due to prior protections. The upcoming NBA Draft Lottery is set for May 12, where teams will learn their fates regarding top prospect placements.

The Dallas Mavericks face a challenging offseason as they look to fill the void left by Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss significant time after ACL surgery. With only 10 players signed for next season, the Mavericks anticipate around $12.2 million in cap space, necessitating strategic moves in the draft and free agency to bolster their backcourt. General Manager Nico Harrison emphasized the importance of compensating for Irving's production while likely relying on All-Star Davis to spearhead the offense.

Five potential free-agent targets have emerged: Malcolm Brogdon, Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert, D'Angelo Russell, and Dennis Schroder. Brogdon, a reliable shooter with a career 3-point percentage of 38%, could provide valuable experience if he can overcome his injury woes. Jerome's scoring ability, particularly from beyond the arc, would complement the Mavericks' defensive-focused lineup. LeVert has shown flashes of his past scoring prowess, while Russell's playmaking skills make him an enticing option despite a down year. Lastly, Schroder's versatility as both a starter and a backup could fill various roles for Dallas.