I... kind of like what the Wizards (and Hornets) are doing lately?

The Southeast Division has been an epic disaster for quite some time now. This past season might have been the nadir of its existence (which is really saying something, considering I wrote this story six years ago), as not a single team in it finished above .500.

But I've got to say, I kinda like what these teams are doing this offseason. I've already written about the Magic's trade for Desmond Bane, the Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard signings, and the Heat's trade for Norm Powell. Mo and I also did podcasts covering each of those things, plus Atlanta's trades for Kristaps Porzingis and the absolute heist of a draft-day deal with the Pelicans.

So today, I want to talk about the other two teams in the division, who have lately been so bad that it's hardly been worth paying attention to them. The Wizards and Hornets will both likely be bad again in 2026, but the process they've taken this offseason (and even going back to last offseason) has been pretty strong, and it's an encouraging sign for their respective futures. (Deep down the line and not any time soon, probably.)

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