Last Season: Due to multiple injuries, the Wizards finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. They won just one game within their division and just twice won back-to-back games. The only positives of the season were more playing time for their younger players and a high draft pick they exchanged for Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

Acquisitions: F Mike Miller, G Randy Foye, F Fabricio Oberto

Departures: G Juan Dixon, F Etan Thomas, F Darius Songaila, F Oleksiy Pecherov

Starting Five: F Caron Butler, F Antawn Jamison, C Brendan Haywood, G Randy Foye, G Gilbert Arenas

Bench Mob: Mike Miller, Nick Young, DeShawn Stevenson, JaVale McGee, Fabricio Oberto, Mike James, Dominic McGuire

Most Interesting Man in the World: DeShawn Stevenson – You’d think Gilbert Arenas would be a lock here, but it’s been Stevenson who has been more interesting recently. Arenas isn’t talking to the media and has stopped blogging. It seems like only a matter of time before Hibachi comes back, but for now Stevenson gets the nod for his amazing new tattoos. Stevenson got a crack on his head because he doesn’t break (wait, what?) and got Abraham Lincoln on the front of his neck (ouch).

Over the Hill: Antawn Jamison – Jamison has been one of the most under-appreciated basketball players of the past decade. He has averaged nearly 20 points and 8 rebounds during his career, but is just a two-time All-Star. He’s been the one consistent factor of the Wizards since his arrival in 2004. But Jamison is now 33 years old and the injury bug might finally creep in after years of relative health. Jamison suffered a partial dislocation of his right shoulder on October 14. He is missing the rest of the preseason and who knows if this injury carries into the regular season.

Ready to Break Out: Andray Blatche – It seems like there are two possible candidates for players who could break out. Either Blatche or Nick Young could step up this season. I’m choosing Blatche though, because of the lack of depth at the center spot vs. the wealth of two-guards Young will be battling with for playing time. Blatche will be behind Haywood, but Blatche has more potential than Haywood. In limited play last year Blatche averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds. If Antawn Jamison misses time this season, Blatche would probably get the majority of those minutes as well.

Outlook: Unlike last year, the Wizards are a very deep team now. If they remain healthy they are one of the top teams in the East. In seven preseason games, they have had five different players lead them in scoring. The trade to land Foye and Miller should pay off as Foye gives them a traditional point guard and Miller gives them a great scoring option off the bench.

Of course the biggest question is Gilbert Arenas. Will he be able to stave off injuries and return to All-Star form? If so, the Wizards could have their best team in decades and will be in the top four in the East.

The Wizards are the biggest mystery of the season. They could finish second or third in the East or they could completely miss the playoffs. But most likely they will wind up somewhere in between and be competing for home court advantage in the first round.

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