Coach Wes Unseld Jr. led the Washington Wizards to a 7-36 start in 2023-24. Submit Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI| License Photo
Jan. 25 (UPI)– Washington Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. will shift to a front-office function after a 7-36 start to the 2023-24 season, group president Michael Winger revealed Thursday.
“After a number of thoughtful discussions with Wes, we figured out together that a modification was required for the advantage of the group,” Winger stated in a press release.
“Wes embodies the attributes we worth in our company, and his large basketball experience will be a possession to the front workplace as we advance towards our long-lasting objectives. We are happy that he will continue his contributions to our company and neighborhood.”
The Wizards stated Unseld will hold an advisory position. The Eastern Conference franchise employed him as coach in 2021. Under his management, the Wizards had a 77-130 record.
“I am grateful to have actually acted as head coach of the Washington Wizards,” Unseld stated. “I eagerly anticipate this brand-new chance to pursue our company’s ongoing development.”
The Wizards stated they will call an interim coach later on Thursday and perform a look for a long-term replacement throughout the off-season.
The Wizards have not advanced past the preliminary of the playoffs considering that the 2016-17 season. They lost 11 of their last 12 video games this season, consisting of an existing five-game losing skid.
They scored the 15th-most points, while permitting the most through 43 video games in 2023-24.
Unseld formerly worked as an assistant for the Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets. He played collegiately at Johns Hopkins
He is the boy of Basketball Hall of Famer Wes Unseld Sr., who invested his whole profession with the franchise, when it was called the Baltimore Bullets, Capital Bullets and Washington Bullets. The senior Unseld passed away in 2020 after a series of health problems. He was 74.
The Wizards will host the Utah Jazz (22-23) at 7 p.m. EST Thursday in Washington, D.C.