Ex-Wizards can extend crazy NBA Finals streak

The past six NBA championship rosters have one trait in common: at least one former Washington Wizards player. Can a team in this year's NBA Finals continue the trend?

This unusual streak started in 2017, when JaVale McGee played for the Golden State Warriors, who went 16-1 in the postseason en route to a title. McGee, who played four seasons for Washington, appeared in 16-of-17 playoff games, starting one.

For the 2017-18 season, McGee was joined on the Warriors by Nick Young, his former Wizards teammate. Both played regularly in the rotation as the Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

In 2019, the Toronto Raptors ended Golden State's reign, but they also had a former Wizard: Jodie Meeks, who had spent the previous season in Washington. 

In 2020, two ex-Wizards played for the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the title in the "bubble" in Orlando, Fla. Dwight Howard, who played nine games for the Wizards, and longtime Washington starter Markieff Morris earned their first rings as regular pieces of L.A.'s playoff rotation. McGee played for the Lakers, too.

In 2021, when the Milwaukee Bucks took home the hardware, Bobby Portis -- who played briefly for the Wizards during the 2018-19 season -- was an invaluable role player. He averaged 8.8 points off the bench during the playoffs.

Last season, two more names familiar to Washington fans -- Otto Porter, Jr. and Gary Payton II -- helped raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the Warriors won another title. Washington drafted Porter with the third overall pick in 2013. Payton, an undrafted free agent, had multiple brief stints with the Wizards.

Of the teams remaining in this year's NBA playoffs, only the Denver Nuggets—who punched their Finals ticket Monday—can continue this trend. They feature four former Wizards on their roster: Ish Smith, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant.

Caldwell-Pope, who was also a member of the 2020 Lakers prior to his time in Washington, has started every playoff game this postseason, averaging 11.7 points.

"Uncle Jeff" Green is a sentimental favorite for many Wizards fans, as he was raised in the Washington area and played at Georgetown, where he helped lead the Hoyas to the 2007 Final Four. 

So for Washington fans with no dog in the fight, you might as well root for the Nuggets. Washington's NBA franchise may be mired in mediocrity, but at least it can boast a plethora of former Wizards on championship teams.