The 2020-21 NBA season is just weeks away and the Washington Wizards are ready to contend for a playoff spot after missing the postseason in back-to-back years.
Here are the biggest storylines as Wizards training camp tipped off on Tuesday:
What is going to happen with John Wall?
John Wall has been in the news over the past few months as fans anticipate his return to the floor. The issue is the reasoning why he's been making headlines. He was recorded in a video in September throwing up "gang signs," which reportedly angered the Wizards front office, and soon after, his name was appearing in trade rumors, before Shams Charania announced that Wall had requested a trade.
Beyond the drama, the pertinent question with Wall that remains unanswered is how he will look on the court, coming back after missing nearly 23 months due to major injuries. Wizards head coach says Wall's health is not a concern.
"He's as good and strong as he's ever been," Brooks said. "He has his speed and strength and his shot looks great."
"That's always the thing that you're worried about, does he have that speed? He has it," he said. "I've seen it up close in practice."
Wall hasn't suited up in nearly two years after a heel injury and an Achilles injury, he has a hefty contract, and may still want out. Keep an eye on this situation.
It's also worth noting, in addition to the ongoing drama with Wall, the team is now dealing with a player -- whose identity hasn't been revealed to the general public -- who has tested positive for COVID-19,
What can fans expect from the rookies?
The Wizards added swingman Deni Avdija from Israel with the ninth overall pick, and acquired Michigan State guard Cassius Winston later in the second round, in a pick swap with Oklahoma City.
Avdija is an intriguing talent who could be an instant contributor for the Wizards, but we will have to see what kind of role Scott Brooks has in store for him when the season starts up.
At just 19 with fluid size and the ability to defend 1-through-4 when needed, Avdija is a long-term project with a ton of upside. It will be interesting to see if Brooks starts him at small forward, along with Wall, Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, and Thomas Bryant, or opts to bring him off the bench.
As for Winston, it can be assumed the former Michigan State star will take on a reserve role with the Wizards, while picking up minutes as Wall takes time off to ease back into "basketball shape" after missing so much time with injuries.
If Brooks keeps his front court lineup from 2019 of Hachimura at small forward, Davis Bertans at the 4, and Bryant at center, Avdija would surely see a sizeable role off the bench.
Is Davis Bertans worth his five-year, $80 million price tag?
The Wizards made several moves in free agency last month. The team signed veteran Robin Lopez, signed former UVA star Anthony Gill — a Charlottesville native who had spent four years in the EuroLeague — and broke the bank to bring back sharpshooter Davis Bertans, who is currently out of the country dealing with a visa issue.
Bertans, 28, is one of the league's best snipers from three-point range and the deal shows that the front office couldn't afford to lose him in free agency.
Bertans averaged 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Wizards last season and will look to build on those numbers in his second year in DC.
The ‘Latvian Laser’ averaged 8.7 three-point attempts in 29.3 minutes per game in 2020, knocking them down at a 42.4 percent clip.
Bertans was automatic from behind the arc last season. He ranked sixth in three-point percentage, eighth in three-pointers made (200), and 16th in attempts (472), behind his teammate Bradley Beal, who took the 12th-most three-point shots in the league (481).
With the Wizards close to full health, now we'll see if the roster assembled by general manager Tommy Sheppard is built to vault them back into the playoffs.