The Washington Wizards are over .500 with a 10-8 record; the last time a Wizards team finished the season with over a .500 record was the 2017-18 season (43-39). The team should be on track to maintain a record over .500 as they fight for a playoff spot.

The one constant from the 2018 season to now is Bradley Beal. Though he is currently injured, in the 12 games he has played, he has averaged 22.7 points and 5.8 assists with a 61.3 TS%. He has, as he always has been, an incredibly talented offensive player. His worse counting stats compared to years past isn’t due to a lack of ability. Rather, it’s his increased help in his supporting cast.

The Wizards have two other 19 point per game scorers. The first: Kristaps Porzingis, who is having his best season in years. The box score numbers of 20.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on a 57.6 TS% don’t necessarily stand out, but his game on the court does. Opponents are shooting 12.5% worse at the rim than usual when guarded by Porzingis, and along with this, he has been one of the best rollers in the league. He’s been really good and impactful.

The Wizards defense ranks 7th in the league at this point, and it’s largely due to Porzingis at the moment. He has been the clear-cut anchor of this team, but that’s not to say it’s only been Porzingis who has made an impact here. Jordan Goodwin, Daniel Gafford, Deni Avdija, and Kyle Kuzma are all stout defenders aside Porzingis.

And despite Porzingis and Beal’s offensive impact, the Wizards offense ranks 25th at this point in the season. Outside of these two and Kyle Kuzma, there aren’t many offensive initiators on this roster. And outside of these three, there is truly only one player who has been shooting the three ball super efficiently: Corey Kispert. Will Barton, Rui Hachimura, and Monte Morris are all shooting worse from deep than expected. This number could absolutely improve.

Kuzma has improved his finishing and playmaking in an impressive manner since entering the league, truly rounding himself out to become a very good all-around player. He’s averaging 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on a subpar 55.0 TS% -- which is expected to increase shortly.

What made the Wizards so appealing coming into this season was the sheer quantity of NBA rotation-level players. They’re a really solid, deep team, and that has proven itself to be true early in their campaign. Players never touch the court, and a fan thinks that the player has no business being on an NBA court.

The Wizards are 100% in business to compete now, too. Beal is 29, while Kuzma and Porzingis are both 27. Along with this Big 3, they also have a younger core that could amount to something with Deni Avdija (22), Corey Kispert (23), Rui Hachimura (24), and their lottery pick Johnny Davis (20).

There’s no reason that the Wizards shouldn’t be in the play-in race this season. The East is deep with talent, but this team consistently trots out talent with the top-end talent to make the play-in, at least. They currently sit at the six seed. Watch out for Washington and their slept-on roster.

• Charlie Spungin , NBA Analyst

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