Wizards Expect Coach Brian Keefe to Remain on Sideline

Washington's GM says Keefe will return for 2026-27 season despite team's NBA-worst record.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:06pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant blues, reds, and yellows, depicting a basketball game or match broken down into sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of the Wizards' rebuilding efforts, with fragmented shapes and colors representing the team's young core and high-profile acquisitions.Washington Today

The Washington Wizards expect to have Brian Keefe return as their head coach in the 2026-27 season, according to general manager Will Dawkins. Keefe has presided over a rebuilding phase for the Wizards, who finished with the NBA's worst record this past season at 17-65. The team made major trades to acquire All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, but both players were limited by injuries.

Why it matters

Keefe's return provides stability for the Wizards as they look to build around their young core and high draft pick. Despite the team's struggles, the organization sees value in Keefe's leadership and development of the roster during a difficult rebuilding period.

The details

In his two-plus seasons as Wizards coach, Keefe has gone 43-160. This past season, the team made a pair of big trades to land All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, but both players were limited by injuries. Young played in only five games before being shut down, while Davis did not appear in any games due to a sprained finger. The Wizards finished with the NBA's worst record and will have a 14% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

  • Keefe took over as Wizards head coach in January 2024.
  • The Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record, the worst in the NBA.

The players

Brian Keefe

The head coach of the Washington Wizards, who has presided over the team's rebuilding efforts over the past two-plus seasons.

Will Dawkins

The general manager of the Washington Wizards, who announced that Keefe will return as the team's head coach for the 2026-27 season.

Trae Young

An All-Star guard who was traded to the Wizards during the 2025-26 season, but was limited to just 5 games due to injury.

Anthony Davis

An All-Star forward who was also traded to the Wizards during the 2025-26 season, but did not play a single game due to a sprained finger.

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What they’re saying

“I anticipate Brian to be here.”

— Will Dawkins, General Manager, Washington Wizards

“I love my money.”

— Anthony Davis

What’s next

The Wizards will look to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16th, where they have a 14% chance of landing the top overall pick.

The takeaway

Despite the Wizards' dismal 17-65 record this past season, the organization is committed to maintaining stability by retaining head coach Brian Keefe. The team's focus now shifts to the NBA Draft Lottery, where they hope to land a top pick to accelerate their rebuilding efforts around young talent and newly acquired stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.