Washington Wizards 2024-25 Season Preview, Betting Odds

Early betting odds have the Washington Wizards pegged to once again be vying for the title of the worst team in basketball, and even a few respectable summer additions can't save this franchise from being a bottom dweller in desperate need of yet another high draft pick. 

In this 2024-25 season preview, we deep dive into all odds concerning the Wizards and attempt to find a slimmer of value and/or hope in a season which continues the process of rebuilding the roster from the ground up. 

Washington Wizards' 2024 Offseason Acquisitions 

Washington Wizards' 2024 Offseason Departures

Washington Wizards' 2025 NBA Championship, Eastern Conference, Southeast Division Betting Odds

Odds as of September 4, 2024

Over the last two calendar years, only three other teams can say they've accumulated fewer wins than the Wizards, who are 50-114 (.305) during this span which is compounded by a franchise-worst 15-67 (.183) record this past season. Kicking off a post-Bradley Beal era came with several hiccups as the team ranked 25th in offense (110.2 points per 100 possessions) and 28th in defense (118.9 points allowed per 100 possessions). 

The highs were high and the lows were rock bottom for Jordan Poole, as well, as he scored 30 or more points eight times but finished in single-digit scoring on 12 occasions. An underwhelming first year in a Wizards uniform from Poole was just one of a laundry list of issues which resulted in the organization securing the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and Frenchman Alexandre Sarr.

Best Bet: None

Teams will never come forward and say they're actively trying to lose games, and bringing aboard quality pieces Malcolm Brogdon, Jonas Valanciunas, and Saddiq Bey certainly wouldn't suggest that's the route the Wizards are looking to take. Then again, as constructed, Washington isn't going to intimidate any opposing side, and sooner rather than later, reality will settle in that the only way to go up is to continue going down. 

The nation's capital isn't a destination for free agents either, so retooling with lottery picks is the name of the game. It's not the sexiest blueprint for success, nor is it one that will shift momentum overnight. It's the only route that makes sense, though, so pairing that mindset with the astronomical odds of the Wizards winning anything at all, it's best to steer clear of these props and use your funds for something more productive like a cup of coffee or gas for your car.

Washington Wizards' 2024-25 NBA Win Total, Make Playoffs Odds

Odds as of September 4, 2024

Dropping a full 20 wins from 2022-23 to 2023-24 slotted the Wizards into the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference, marking the first time since 2011-12 that Washington had finished that low, although the team had a slightly better record that year at 20-46.

Best Bet: UNDER 20.5 Wins, -132

Again, winning games isn't logical for a Wizards squad that's likely to be sellers at the trade deadline with a slew of moveable and expiring contracts. Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey are the ultimate prizes next summer, and while we just witnessed the Atlanta Hawks secure the No. 1 pick with only a three percent chance of doing so, Washington needs to ensure that the ping pong balls fall in its favor with as many in the mix as possible. 

Washington Wizards' 2024 NBA Cup Odds

Odds as of September 4, 2024

The Wizards were winless at 0-4 in East Group B during the inaugural in-season tournament. Not that their chances were any good to begin with this time around, but sharing East Group C with the reigning champion Boston Celtics is already a nail in Washington's coffin barring a monumental upset.

Washington Wizards' 2024-25 NBA Awards Odds

Odds as of September 4, 2024

Best Bet: Alexandre Sarr For NBA Rookie Of The Year, +1000

Sarr had been long projected to be the best prospect from a 2024 class which didn't have the sizzle of year's past, but could churn out some sleepers and long-term studs despite the immediate returns perhaps being limited. Had it not been for his apparent unwillingness to work out and eventually join the Hawks, the 19-year-old big man would have been a no-brainer pick to go first overall.

Atlanta's loss (through no apparent fault of its own) is the Wizards' gain, because Sarr fills a glaring need in the team's frontcourt at the four spot while also being able to lock in minutes at the five. An absolutely abysmal performance in the Las Vegas Summer League in which he averaged just 5.5 points in 29.6 minutes while converting less than 20 percent of his shots obviously raised some red flags, but all that matters is how he carries himself and his output when the games start to count. 

He's not Victor Wembanyama, but there's still reason to be excited about where Sarr can be in another three-to-five years with some fine-tuning and development. That all kicks off with what could be the Wizards' first Rookie of the Year since 1969 and the first No. 2 pick to take the hardware since Ja Morant in 2020.

2024-25 NBA Team Previews, Betting Odds