Every NBA team’s biggest question mark for the 2021-22 season

Washington Wizards: Does a Dinwiddie-Beal backcourt work?

Keeping Bradley Beal happy is priority No. 1 for the Wizards. That’s a big reason why Washington went out and landed Spender Dinwiddie in free agency. Now the question becomes whether or not the duo can forge an effective starting backcourt capable of powering the Wizards to the postseason.

It’s a pairing that works in theory. Beal’s combination of outstanding shooting and playmaking ability makes him an easy guy to play alongside. Dinwiddie isn’t on Beal’s level as a player, but he’s got quality chops in both categories too.

That gives the pairing a chance to really thrive if they can develop chemistry quickly. Much of that will depend on finding the right way to share possessions between the two high-usage players. Beal needs to get the lion’s share of the workload, but Dinwiddie can make his life easier by creating shots for him with his own ability to collapse the defense off the dribble.

The downside for the Wizards is pretty massive. If the bet on Dinwiddie-Beal doesn’t work then the odds of Beal refusing to sign a new deal increase dramatically. This could be a make-or-break partnership for Beal’s long-term future in Washington.