NBA Southeast Division: Without LeBron, who’s the favorite?

By Andy Livingston | Jul 16, 2014

Apr 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) is pressured by Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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WASHINGTON WIZARDS

The Washington Wizards took the 5th seed in the playoffs and took the Indiana Pacers to five games. They had an AARP bench that played bananas and matched that with the House of Guards in Bradley Beal and John Wall.

In many circles, the Wizards were already poised to be the team of the future in the east, and then they added Paul Pierce to a very friendly two-year deal and obtained an $8.5 million trade exception in a sign and trade deal that saw Trevor Ariza go to the Houston Rockets. All of this added to the five-year/$60 million contract that went to the most sought after big man in this year’s free agency, Marcin Gortat. Yes the years are a lot for a guy who is 30 years old, but he has become part of the core group.

The ceiling is high for next year’s squad and with the once-dominant Heat now on their heels, the Wizards are poised to strike.

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