Washington Wizards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Washington Wizards
Conference	Eastern
Division	Southeast
Founded	1961
History	Chicago Packers 1961–1962 Chicago Zephyrs 1962–1963 Baltimore Bullets 1963–1973 Capital Bullets 1973–1974 Washington Bullets 1974–1997 Washington Wizards 1997–present
Arena	Capital One Arena
Location	Washington, D.C.
Team colors	Navy blue, red, silver, white
Main sponsor	Robinhood
President	Michael Winger
General manager	Will Dawkins
Head coach	Brian Keefe
Ownership	Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Ted Leonsis)
Affiliation(s)	Capital City Go-Go
Championships	1 (1978)
Conference titles	4 (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979)
Division titles	8 (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 2017)
Retired numbers	5 (10, 11, 25, 41, 45)
Association Icon Statement City

The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team located in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. The team's home games are held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. They share this arena with the Washington Capitals (NHL) and the Georgetown University men's basketball team. The team is owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

The team started in 1961 as the Chicago Packers in Chicago. They changed their name to the Chicago Zephyrs the next season. In 1963, the team moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Bullets. They took this name from an older Baltimore team. In 1973, the team moved to the Washington, D.C. area. They first changed their name to the Capital Bullets, then to Washington Bullets the following season. In 1997, the team changed its name again to the Wizards.

The Wizards have played in four NBA Finals and won the championship in 1978. They have reached the playoffs 28 times. They have won four conference titles (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979) and eight division titles (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 2017). Their best season was in 1974–75, with a record of 60 wins and 22 losses. Wes Unseld is the only player in the team's history to win both the NBA MVP (1969) and Finals MVP (1978) awards. Four players have won the Rookie of the Year award: Walt Bellamy, Terry Dischinger, Earl Monroe, and Unseld.

Team History: From Chicago to Washington, D.C.

Starting as the Chicago Packers

Bellamy (No. 8) averaged 31.6 points per game and 19.0 rebounds per game during his rookie season

The Wizards began their journey in 1961 as the Chicago Packers. They were the NBA's first expansion team, meaning they were a brand new team joining the league. Rookie player Walt Bellamy quickly became the team's star. He scored many points and grabbed many rebounds, even representing the team in the All-Star Game. Bellamy won the Rookie of the Year award, but the team had a tough first season, finishing with an 18–62 record.

The team's first name, "Packers," was not very popular. It reminded people of a rival football team. So, after just one year, they changed their name to the Chicago Zephyrs. In their only season as the Zephyrs, Terry Dischinger also won Rookie of the Year honors.

Moving to Baltimore: The Bullets Era Begins

In 1963, the team moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Bullets. They took this name from an older basketball team in Baltimore. They played their home games at the Baltimore Civic Center. In their first year in Baltimore, the Bullets finished fourth in their division.

Before the 1964–65 season, the Bullets made a big trade. They got players like Bailey Howell and Don Ohl. This trade helped the Bullets reach the playoffs for the first time. They surprised many by winning their first playoff series. They then played in the Western Conference finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. In November 1964, Abe Pollin and his partners bought the team.

The Wes Unseld Era: A Championship Team

Wes Unseld, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA Regular Season MVP, and NBA Finals MVP awards, played all 13 seasons of his career with the Bullets.

In the late 1960s, the Bullets drafted two amazing players who would later become famous: Earl Monroe in 1967 and Wes Unseld in 1968. The team improved a lot, winning 57 games in the 1968–69 season. Unseld won both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards that year. The Bullets made the playoffs but were defeated by the New York Knicks. They met the Knicks again in the playoffs the next season, with the Knicks winning again.

In the 1970–71 season, the Bullets finally beat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. This win sent them to their first NBA Finals. However, they were swept in four games by the powerful Milwaukee Bucks, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Even after some key players left, the Bullets remained a strong team in the 1970s. They acquired Elvin Hayes in 1972, who became another star player.

Moving to the Washington, D.C. Area

In February 1973, the team announced it would move to Landover, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. They became the Capital Bullets. After the 1973–74 season, they changed their name to the Washington Bullets. They sometimes played games back in Baltimore during the late 1980s and 1990s. While their new arena was being built, the Bullets played some home games at Cole Field House. The Capital Centre opened in December 1973.

During his nine seasons with the Bullets, Elvin Hayes averaged 21.3 points per game and 12.7 rebounds per game. He led the NBA in rebounding in the 1973–74 season with an average of 18.1 rebounds per game.

The Bullets had a great 1974–75 season, winning 60 games. They had a fantastic home record at the Capital Centre. In the playoffs, they won a tough seven-game series. They then beat the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, to reach the 1975 NBA Finals. Many thought the Bullets would win the championship, but they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in four games.

The loss in the NBA Finals affected the team the next season. They won fewer games and were eliminated in the playoffs. Head coach K.C. Jones was fired despite his good winning record. Under new coach Dick Motta, the Bullets continued to be a playoff team.

1977–78: NBA Championship Season

Even with future Hall of Fame players like Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld, the Bullets finished the 1977–78 season with a 44–38 record. They were not expected to win the NBA Finals. However, they rallied with a famous saying, "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." This became their motto as they made a surprising playoff run. They defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games to win a professional sports championship for Washington, D.C., for the first time in 36 years. This remains the team's only NBA title.

1978–79: Reaching the Finals Again

In the 1978–79 season, the Bullets moved to the Atlantic Division and won the title. They finished the regular season with 54 wins and 28 losses. In the playoffs, they had some close series. They nearly lost a 3–1 lead against the Atlanta Hawks but won in seven games. In the Eastern Conference finals, they came back from a 3–1 deficit against the San Antonio Spurs. They won a thrilling Game 7 to reach the NBA Finals again, facing the Seattle SuperSonics in a rematch.

The Bullets won Game 1 of the finals but then lost the next four games, losing the series to Seattle. The Bullets were the only team to play in the NBA Finals four times during the 1970s.

1979–1988: Playoff Challenges

In August 1979, the Bullets became the first NBA team to visit China. They played and won games there. As the team's star players grew older and faced injuries, the Bullets began to struggle. In the 1979–80 season, they barely made the playoffs and were swept in the first round. The next year, they missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. Wes Unseld retired, and Elvin Hayes was traded.

A ticket for a 1988–89 game between the Bullets and the Hornets.

In the early 1980s, the team had some winning seasons but often struggled in the competitive Atlantic Division. They made the expanded NBA playoffs a few times but were eliminated in the first round. In 1985, the Bullets acquired Manute Bol, a player known for blocking many shots. He set a team record with 397 blocks that year. The team also acquired Moses Malone in 1986, who led the team in scoring. The 1986–87 season was their last winning season until 1996–97. In 1987, the Bullets drafted Muggsy Bogues, who is the shortest player in NBA history at 5 feet 3 inches. The team reached the playoffs in 1988 but lost in five games. It would be nine seasons before they returned to the playoffs.

1989–1997: The End of the Bullets Name

The Bullets continued to face challenges in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They played some home games in Baltimore during this period. Despite good performances from players like Jeff Malone and Bernard King, the team had losing records. In 1990, Susan O'Malley became the team's president, making her the first female president of an NBA franchise.

Injuries and inconsistent play continued to affect the team. Players like Pervis Ellison and Don MacLean won the Most Improved Player award during this time. In 1994, the Bullets drafted Juwan Howard and traded for Chris Webber. Webber's injuries, however, caused the team to struggle. In 1996, Gheorghe Mureșan, the league's tallest player, won Most Improved Player.

The 1996–97 season saw a turnaround. After a coaching change, the Bullets finished with a 44–38 record, their best since 1978–79. This late surge helped them clinch a playoff spot, ending their longest playoff drought. They were swept by the Chicago Bulls in the first round but played close games. Key players like Webber, Howard, and Rod Strickland led the team.

Becoming the Wizards

The Wizards moved to the MCI Center (later Verizon Center and then Capital One Arena) in 1997.

In November 1995, owner Abe Pollin announced he was changing the team's nickname. He felt the name Bullets had become too closely linked with violence, and he wanted a name that reflected a more positive image for the team and the city. After a contest, the team officially became the Washington Wizards on May 15, 1997. The new name was chosen to represent magic and skill in basketball.

A new logo was revealed, and the team colors changed from red, white, and blue to a lighter blue, black, and bronze. These were the same colors as the Washington Capitals hockey team, also owned by Pollin. That same year, the Wizards moved to the new MCI Center (now Capital One Arena). This arena also became home to the Capitals and the Georgetown Hoyas men's college basketball team. In 1998, the Wizards became a "brother team" to the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.

1997–2001: Rebranded as the Wizards

The newly named Wizards started the 1997–98 season playing some home games at the Capital Centre before moving to the new MCI Center in December 1997. They finished the season with a 42–40 record but just missed the playoffs. Chris Webber led the team in scoring and rebounding, and Rod Strickland led the league in assists. Webber was later traded to the Sacramento Kings. The team continued to struggle in the following seasons, finishing with losing records. In the 2000–01 season, they had their most losses ever, with a 19–63 record.

2001–2003: The Michael Jordan Era

Michael Jordan served as president of basketball operations and was a minority owner.

2001–02 Season

After retiring from the Chicago Bulls in 1999, Michael Jordan became the Washington Wizards' president of basketball operations and a part-owner in 2000. In September 2001, Jordan made a surprising return to play for Washington at age 38. He said he was returning "for the love of the game." Due to NBA rules, he had to give up his ownership in the team. Jordan played well, leading the Wizards to a 26–21 record before the All-Star break. However, a knee injury ended his season early, and the Wizards finished with a 37–45 record, missing the playoffs.

2002–03 Season

Jordan decided to play again for the 2002–03 season. The team acquired All-Star Jerry Stackhouse and signed Larry Hughes. Jordan even started the season coming off the bench to help his knee. However, many team injuries and inconsistent play led to Jordan returning to the starting lineup. The Wizards finished with a 37–45 record again. Jordan played all 82 games, averaging 20 points per game. He retired from playing basketball for the third and final time after this season.

Jordan's Departure

After the season, owner Abe Pollin decided to let Jordan go as team president. This decision surprised many. Jordan felt he would get his ownership back after playing, but Pollin explained that Jordan's decisions had not always helped the team. Ernie Grunfeld took over Jordan's role as general manager.

2003–2010: The Gilbert Arenas Era

The Wizards G-Man, one of the team's mascots

2003–04: The Arrival of Gilbert Arenas

Without Michael Jordan, the Wizards were not expected to win much in the 2003–04 season. They signed future All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas. Despite this, the team finished with a 25–57 record.

2004–05: Return to the Playoffs

Before the next season, the team traded for Antawn Jamison. The scoring trio of Arenas, Jamison, and Hughes became known as "The Big Three." They were one of the best scoring groups in the NBA. Arenas and Jamison were both chosen for the 2005 Eastern Conference All-Star team.

The 2004–05 season was the team's best in 26 years, with a 45–37 record. They made the playoffs for the first time as the Wizards. Fans were very excited, buying over 16,000 playoff tickets in just a few hours. In the first round, they won their first playoff game since 1988. They went on to win the series against the Chicago Bulls, their first playoff series victory in 23 years. This was a huge moment for the team and its fans. In the next round, the Wizards were swept by the Miami Heat.

2005–06 Season

Antawn Jamison shooting a free throw in 2006 while wearing the team's gold alternate jersey.

The 2005–06 season had its ups and downs. Washington acquired Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels. The new "Big Three" of Arenas, Jamison, and Butler led the team's offense. They started strong but then had a tough stretch. Despite injuries to key players like Butler, the Wizards finished with a 42–40 record. They clinched a playoff spot for the second year in a row, a first since 1987.

In the first round of the 2006 playoffs, they faced the Cleveland Cavaliers. The series was very close, with many games decided by just one point or in overtime. Despite strong efforts, the Wizards lost the series in six games.

2006–07 Season

The Wizards in a home game against the Toronto Raptors, March 30, 2007.

The 2006–07 season started well. Gilbert Arenas scored a franchise-record 60 points in one game. He and coach Eddie Jordan won player and coach of the month awards. However, injuries hit the team hard late in the season. Jamison, Butler, and Arenas all suffered season-ending injuries.

Despite these challenges, the Wizards still made the playoffs as the 7th seed. They were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers again, but they kept the games close. The team saw its best attendance numbers since the Michael Jordan era.

2007–08 Season

The Wizards kept most of their players for the 2007–08 season. However, Gilbert Arenas had to undergo surgery on his knee again and missed most of the season. Caron Butler also missed many games due to injury. Despite these significant injuries, the Wizards managed to finish with a 43–39 record. They made the playoffs for the third straight season, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers again. They lost the series in six games.

2008–09 Season

In the off-season, Arenas and Jamison signed new contracts. However, Arenas needed another knee operation and missed most of the season. Other players also faced injuries. The team started very poorly, leading to head coach Eddie Jordan being fired. Interim coach Ed Tapscott took over. The Wizards finished with a franchise-worst 19–63 record. One highlight was President Barack Obama attending a game where the Wizards won big.

2009–10 Season

In November, owner Abe Pollin passed away. Control of the team went to his widow, Irene. Minority owner Ted Leonsis was preparing to take over. In late 2009, Gilbert Arenas faced a serious team suspension due to actions that went against team rules regarding player conduct. This led to his suspension by the NBA.

The team made several trades during the season, sending away key players like Butler, Haywood, Stevenson, and Jamison. With many changes and Arenas suspended, the Wizards finished the season with a 26–56 record. They were the only team in their division to miss the playoffs.

2010–2019: The John Wall Era

2010–11: The Arrival of John Wall

Ted Leonsis completed his takeover of the Wizards and Verizon Center in June 2010. He wanted to bring back the team's traditional red, white, and blue colors. The team's colors did change back to red, white, and blue for the 2011–12 season, and they adopted new uniforms similar to those worn by the Bullets in their championship years.

Despite having low odds, the Wizards won the 2010 NBA draft lottery. They selected John Wall, a talented point guard from Kentucky, as the first overall pick. The team also made other trades to improve their roster. In December, the Wizards traded Gilbert Arenas to the Orlando Magic for Rashard Lewis. The Wizards finished the season with a 30–52 record.

2011–12 Season

After a tough start to the 2011–12 season, head coach Flip Saunders was replaced by assistant Randy Wittman. The team made a trade that brought Nenê to Washington. The Wizards finished the lockout-shortened season with a 20–46 record. Before the next season, they traded for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza.

2012–13: The Arrival of Bradley Beal

In the 2012 NBA Draft, the Wizards selected Bradley Beal. They also made other roster changes. In April 2013, Jason Collins, who joined the team in February, announced he was gay. This made him the first openly gay player in a major North American team sport. The Wizards finished the season with a 33–49 record.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, the Wizards again had a high pick and selected Otto Porter. They also traded for center Marcin Gortat.

2013–14: Return to Playoffs

The Wizards returned to the playoffs in the 2014 season.

In February 2014, the Wizards had a winning record for the first time since 2009. On April 2, 2014, they clinched a playoff spot, their first since the 2007–08 season. Led by first-time All-Star John Wall, the Wizards defeated the Chicago Bulls in the first round, winning the series 4–1. This was their first playoff series victory since 2005. They advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. The Wizards won Game 1 but eventually lost the series in six games.

2014–15 Season

Bradley Beal in 2013

After Trevor Ariza left, the Wizards signed veteran player Paul Pierce. His experience helped the team a lot. The Wizards had a strong start to the season, their best since 1974–75. They finished the season with a 46–36 record, their best since 1978–79. In the first round of the playoffs, they swept the Toronto Raptors, their first sweep in franchise history.

In the second round, the Wizards faced the Atlanta Hawks. They won the first game but then lost John Wall due to a wrist injury. Despite Paul Pierce making some big shots, the loss of Wall was too much, and Atlanta won the series in six games.

2015–16 Season

The 2015–16 season was not as successful. The Wizards finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 41–41 record and missed the playoffs. Head coach Randy Wittman was fired.

In April 2016, Scott Brooks, a former head coach, agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Wizards. The team also unveiled new alternate jerseys.

2016–17 Season

Scott Brooks served as head coach from 2016 to 2021.

The 2016–17 season was very successful for the Wizards. They finished with a 49–33 record and won the Southeast Division title for the first time since 1979. Bradley Beal had a great season, scoring a career-high 23.1 points per game. John Wall also had career highs in points and assists, earning him an All-NBA team spot.

After a slow start, the Wizards turned their season around in December. They finished the season with their highest win total since 1979. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games. Wall and Beal played exceptionally well. In the second round, the Wizards faced the top-seeded Boston Celtics. They lost the series in seven games.

2017–18 Season

For the 2017–18 season, the Wizards played in the newly named Capital One Arena. They finished with a 43–39 record, earning the 8th seed in the playoffs. They lost in the first round to the Toronto Raptors in six games. Bradley Beal made his first All-Star team this season, and John Wall made his fifth in a row.

2018–19 Season

In the off-season, the Wizards added Thomas Bryant and drafted Troy Brown. Despite Beal having a career season, the team faced many challenges and injuries. Dwight Howard played only a few games due to back problems. John Wall suffered a season-ending Achilles injury while recovering from a previous one. The team also traded away several players. As a result, the Wizards missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2015–16 season. Bradley Beal made his second All-Star Team.

2019–20 Season

In April 2019, general manager Ernie Grunfeld was fired, and Tommy Sheppard took over. The Wizards drafted Japanese player Rui Hachimura. After the NBA season was paused, the Wizards were invited to the NBA Bubble to play the final eight regular-season games. They went 1–7 and missed the playoffs.

2019–2023: The Bradley Beal Era

Bradley Beal in 2019

In December 2020, the Wizards traded John Wall to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook. In the 2020 NBA draft, the Wizards drafted Deni Avdija. Bradley Beal had a career season and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Russell Westbrook achieved a triple-double average for the fourth time in his career.

The Wizards returned to the playoffs this season but were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in five games. In June 2021, coach Scott Brooks and the Wizards decided to part ways.

In August 2021, the Wizards traded Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, they received Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell. The team started the 2021–22 season well, but their performance declined. The team also faced some challenges, including disagreements among players. A wrist injury ended Beal's season early.

At the trade deadline of the 2021–22 season, the Wizards acquired All-Star Kristaps Porziņģis. In April 2023, after two seasons of missing the playoffs, general manager Tommy Sheppard was fired.

2023–Present: Rebuilding the Team

Kyle Kuzma joined the team in 2021

During the off-season before the 2023–24 season, the Wizards began to rebuild their team. They traded their star player, Bradley Beal, to the Phoenix Suns. They also traded Kristaps Porziņģis to the Celtics in a three-team deal. These trades brought in new players like Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and Jordan Poole, along with draft picks.

On January 26, 2024, head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was fired. Assistant coach Brian Keefe took over as interim coach for the rest of the season and was later promoted to full-time Head Coach. The Wizards finished the 2023–24 season with a record of 15–67. Kyle Kuzma led the team in scoring with a career-high 22.2 points per game. The 2024-25 season saw the Wizards finish with an 18-64 record.

2024–25: New Talent Arrives

On June 26, 2024, the Wizards drafted Alex Sarr from France as the second overall pick in the NBA draft. They also acquired the fourteenth pick, Carlton Carrington, and 2023 Sixth Man of The Year Malcolm Brogdon in a trade.

2026: Acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis

On January 7, 2026, the Wizards traded CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert for All-Star guard Trae Young. Just one month later, on February 5, 2026, they acquired Anthony Davis from the Mavericks.

Season-by-Season Records

Here are the results for the last five completed seasons for the Wizards.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Team Name, Logos, and Uniforms

Washington Wizards G-Wiz, current team mascot

When the team moved to Baltimore in 1963, they used blue and orange colors. These colors matched other sports teams in Baltimore at the time. Their uniforms were blue and white with orange trim. In the early 1970s, orange became a more important color. They also had unique uniforms with three thick stripes.

When the team moved to Landover, Maryland, in 1973 and became the Capital Bullets, they changed their colors to red, white, and blue. These colors matched the American flag. Their uniforms had large horizontal stripes and three stars on the shorts. They kept these uniforms when they became the Washington Bullets a year later. The "Stars and Stripes" uniforms were used until 1987, with some small changes over the years. In 1987, the Bullets changed their logo and uniforms again, using red for road games and white for home games.

In 1997, the team owner, Abe Pollin, decided to change the team's nickname from "Bullets" to "Wizards." He wanted a name that was not associated with violence. The name change also brought new logos, colors, and uniforms. The new colors were blue, bronze, and black, similar to the Capitals hockey team. The main logo showed a wizard with a basketball. In 2007, the Wizards made small updates to their jerseys and logos, changing bronze to metallic gold.

The old Washington Wizards Logo from 2011-2015.

The current wordmark for the Wizards

On May 10, 2011, the Wizards revealed new colors, uniforms, and a logo. The team went back to its traditional red, white, and blue colors, which are the colors of the U.S. flag. The new uniforms look very similar to those worn by the Bullets from 1973 to 1987, during their successful years. The new logo includes the Washington Monument as an alternate symbol. These colors are also used by other Washington, D.C. sports teams.

In 2014, the Wizards introduced a new alternate uniform, which was mostly navy blue instead of red. In 2015, they unveiled a new main logo. This logo features the Washington Monument ball design inside a circle, with stripes and three stars. The three stars represent Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. They also stopped using the old wizard-and-moon logo.

The Wizards in their alternate white uniforms in a 2017 playoff game against the Celtics

In 2015, the Wizards also introduced a "Baltimore Pride" alternate uniform to honor their history in Baltimore. In 2016, they released a white uniform to honor the United States Armed Forces.

The Wizards in their white "City" uniforms during a 2018 playoff game against Toronto.

When Nike became the uniform supplier in 2017, the Wizards kept their existing uniforms. They also added "City" uniforms each season, which often paid tribute to Washington, D.C. landmarks or history. For example, some "City" uniforms featured the Washington Monument or honored the National Mall.

In recent seasons, the Wizards have continued to update their uniforms. The 2021–22 "City" uniform celebrated the NBA's 75th anniversary by combining elements from different eras of the team's history. The 2022–23 "City" uniform was pink with blue accents, honoring the famous cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. The 2023–24 "City" uniform featured black and anthracite colors with historical designs. For the 2024–25 season, the "Statement" uniform took inspiration from the Washington, D.C. flag with three red stars and two red stripes. The 2025–26 "City" uniform brought back elements from the team's 2006–2009 alternate uniform, using gold and black.

Home Arenas

• International Amphitheatre (1961–1962)
• Chicago Coliseum (1962–1963)
• Baltimore Civic Center (now CFG Bank Arena) (1963–1973, and 35 games from 1989 to 1997)
• Cole Field House (1973)
• US Airways Arena (originally Capital Centre) (December 1973 – November 1997)
• Capital One Arena (formerly MCI Center and Verizon Center) (December 1997–present)

In December 2023, Monumental Sports & Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis explored a plan to move the Wizards and Washington Capitals to a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia. However, in March 2024, officials in Alexandria announced that these plans were no longer happening. Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser then signed a deal with Ted Leonsis to keep both teams in the District until at least 2050.

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Retained Draft Rights

The Wizards hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. This means the team still has the right to sign these players if they decide to play in the NBA.

Draft	Round	Pick	Player	Pos.	Nationality	Current team	Note(s)	Ref
2022	2	54	Nzosa, YannickYannick Nzosa	C	DR Congo	San Pablo Burgos (Spain)
2017	2	50	Lessort, MathiasMathias Lessort	C	France	Panathinaikos (Greece)	Acquired as part of a multi-team trade on February 6th, 2025

Retired Numbers

These jersey numbers have been retired by the Washington Wizards to honor important players. No other player on the team can wear these numbers.

Notes:

• ¹ All in Baltimore
• ² 1972–1973 in Baltimore
• ³ Also served as coach (1987–1994)
• ⁴ 1968–1973 in Baltimore
• ⁵ Also served as Bullets/Wizards television color analyst (1984–2017)
• ⁶ 1971–1973 in Baltimore
• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.

Basketball Hall of Fame Members

Former Bullets players honored during a Wizards game in March 2012 at the Verizon Center

These are players and coaches who have been recognized for their outstanding careers and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Notes:

• ¹ He also coached the team in 1987–1994
• ² In total, Bellamy was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1960 Olympic team
• ³ In total, Jordan was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team
• ⁴ He also played for the team from 1961 to 1963
• ⁵ Thorn was inducted as a contributor

FIBA Hall of Fame Members

These players have been recognized for their contributions to international basketball and inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Notes:

• ¹ In total, Jordan was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team

Head Coaches

Individual Records and Awards

Franchise Leaders

Bold means the player is still active with the team.

Italic means the player is still active but not with the team.

Points Scored (Regular Season) (as of the end of the 2024–25 season)

Other Statistics (Regular Season) (as of the end of the 2024–25 season)

Individual Awards

NBA All-Star Weekend

See also

In Spanish: Washington Wizards para niños

• Sports in Washington, D.C.