Wizards fire GM Tommy Sheppard after missing playoffs again

WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards are shaking up their organization after all — in the front office, at least.

The Wizards fired general manager Tommy Sheppard on Wednesday after the team missed the postseason for a second consecutive season. Sheppard's dismissal comes less than two years after he received a contract extension in November 2021. Washington went 35-47 in 2021-22 and then posted the same record this season.

«Failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons was very disappointing to our organization and our fans. A search for new leadership will begin immediately for an executive from outside the organization,» owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement. «I would like to thank Tommy for his dedication to the Wizards organization and wish him the best in his future endeavors.»

Wes Unseld Jr. will return for his third season as coach, and sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that he continues to have a strong advocate with Leonsis.

The Wizards' search for a new president and GM will commence as the only active search in the marketplace.

The Wizards signed star guard Bradley Beal to a max-value contract last offseason, but the team didn't show any clear improvement. Early last week, Sheppard met with reporters to wrap up the season. After about a half-hour of fielding questions, he was asked whether he'd officially met with Leonsis to confirm that he'd be back. He seemed surprised by the question.

«Myself?» Sheppard said. «That's never been part of a conversation.»

Sheppard said that day that the team hoped to bring back Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, both of whom have player options. While the Wizards were clearly upset with how this season went, no major changes seemed imminent, but now it's clear there