Michael Winger, the Chairman of Monumental Basketball, serves as the primary decision-maker for both the Washington Wizards and Mystics. Since his appointment in May 2023 (with a one-year performance review by Greg Finberg available here), Winger has been deeply involved in overhauling both franchises.
The Wizards are currently in the third year of a full rebuild after enduring the worst two seasons in franchise history. They are on course to experience their worst three-year stretch by the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. While Wizards fans are understandably frustrated with these losses, the national media’s ridicule is much less severe than during John Wall’s early years from 2010 to 2013. Although it’s good that the Wizards aren’t being mocked, they are notably absent from the NBA’s new media deals this year because they aren’t competitive right now.
Regarding the Mystics, Winger had minimal involvement during the 2023 and 2024 WNBA seasons, leaving former GM Mike Thibault to manage the team. However, Winger eventually replaced Thibault to establish his own direction. Despite a strong start in 2025, the Mystics traded away their top veteran, Brittney Sykes, and ended the season on a 10-game losing streak. Furthermore, the team has indicated that free agency will not be a major focus heading into 2026, when the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect. Essentially, the Mystics plan to adopt the Wizards’ rebuilding strategy.
This raises the question: which team is progressing further in their rebuild—the Wizards or the Mystics? The Wizards seem to be ahead for several reasons:
– Since Winger’s arrival in May 2023, the Wizards have begun dismantling the team based on a visionary blueprint.
– Over the past three drafts, they have secured several first-round picks like Bilal Koulibaly, Alex Sarr, Babs Carrington, Kishawn George, and Tre Johnson, all of whom demonstrate potential despite their youth.
– Wizards GM Will Dawkins, who was familiar with Winger beforehand, has become skilled at making trades to acquire more draft picks in line with the team’s long-term goals.
On the other hand, the Mystics might have even greater potential:
– Winger directly communicated his philosophy with the team during one WNBA season. Players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have become 2025 WNBA All-Stars, have been invited to the U.S. Women’s Basketball National Team training camp for the 2026 FIBA World Cup, and have received praise from top WNBA players and media.
– Citron and Iriafen stand out as clear cornerstones for the Mystics’ future, potentially attracting WNBA free agents who want to play in Washington, making them more concrete building blocks than the Wizards’ young prospects.
While it’s tough to directly compare the two, the key question remains: which team is further along in their rebuild—the Wizards or the Mystics? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Fan Take: This insider update is crucial for WNBA fans because it highlights the Mystics’ strategic shift and potential rise built around emerging stars like Citron and Iriafen. It signals exciting times ahead for the franchise and could redefine Washington as a key contender in the evolving landscape of women’s professional basketball.
