The Washington Wizards want Brian Keefe to return as head coach in the 2026-27 season.

General manager Will Dawkins said Thursday at his end-of-season news conference that he expects Keefe to be back, despite a 43-160 record in two-plus seasons. That includes a league-worst 17-65 this season.

The Wizards have been in a deep rebuild, and Keefe, 50, has impressed the front office with his knack for player development and has the respect of the locker room.

That front office went to work in the past several months to provide Keefe with a roster that could put the Wizards on the path toward their first .500 season since 2017-18.

Washington acquired NBA stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, both of whom will be looking for strong returns from injury-marred seasons. They will have a lottery pick in a deep NBA draft in June and also have young players Kyshawn George (14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists) and Alex Sarr (16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds) to build around.

Without a number of injured players, the Wizards went 1-26 in their final 27 games.

–Field Level Media