![The Washington Wizards announced that they have fired Tommy Sheppard, and will now be looking for a new GM and president to lead the way for the franchise. [Twitter/Screenshot/Public — @NeilDalal96]](https://images.dailycaller.com/image/width=960,height=411,fit=cover,f=auto/https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-20-8.55.07-AM-e1681995376465.png "The Washington Wizards announced that they have fired Tommy Sheppard, and will now be looking for a new GM and president to lead the way for the franchise. [Twitter/Screenshot/Public — @NeilDalal96]")
A new era is officially underway in D.C.
The Washington Wizards announced Wednesday that they have fired Tommy Sheppard and will now be looking for a new general manager and president to lead the way for the franchise.
“Failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons was very disappointing to our organization and our fans,” Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement. “A search for new leadership will begin immediately for an executive from outside the organization. I would like to thank Tommy for his dedication to the Wizards organization and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Sheppard has been in the Washington front office since 2003, being promoted to senior vice president of basketball operations in 2013. He received another promotion to general manager before the start of the 2019-20 season.
Altogether, Sheppard has served four seasons as the Wizards‘ general manager, with the team having no winning seasons and only one playoff appearance under his leadership — the postseason spot saw them eliminated in the first round in 2021. This season, Washington had a record of 35-47.
Official: Tommy Sheppard relieved of his duties as General Manager and President.https://t.co/ljtLsF9Msx
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 19, 2023
Being from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) originally, I’d love to see the Washington Wizards become a winning basketball franchise.
However, this seems to be a part of the D.C. culture. I mean, think about it: When was the last time you remember the Wizards being any good?
They can never land a superstar in the draft, nobody ever wants to go there in free agency and it’s just constant losses as a result. That’s just the way it is for the vast majority of small-market teams, so it’s nothing special that’s only happening to the Wizards. (RELATED: LeBron James Ties Tim Duncan For 4th-Most 20 Point, 10 Rebound Playoff Games Of All-Time)
It’s just sad, but being from the DMV, I’m used to our teams losing all the time.