Brian Keefe's Future as Wizards HC for 2026-27 NBA Season Revealed by GM

The Washington Wizards will bring back Brian Keefe for his fourth season as head coach in 2026-27.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said on Thursday that he expects the team to retain Keefe coming off a 17-65 record this season.

Keefe took over as Washington's head coach in January 2024 after Wes Unseld was moved into a front office role with the organization.

The 50-year-old Keefe had been an assistant in the NBA for 16 seasons prior to getting the top job with the Wizards. He took over the organization at a time when it was just starting to rebuild after trading Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in July 2023.

Given a nearly-impossible situation for success, Keefe has not been able to elevate the situation. His .214 winning percentage is the second-worst in NBA history with a minimum of 150 games as a head coach.

The Wizards' 17 wins in 2025-26 were the second-fewest in a full season in franchise history.

While the record leaves a lot to be desired, Keefe has helped with the development of key players for the Wizards to build around. Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, averaged 16.3 points on 48.3 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in his sophomore campaign.

The Wizards took big swings on the trade market this season that set them up for more success in 2026-27. Trae Young and Anthony Davis will be centerpiece players. They also have a 14 percent chance to win the No. 1 overall pick in a loaded draft to add a potential young superstar into the mix.

Keefe will get the chance to see what this new-look roster is capable of doing. Young was able to play five games after being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists.

Davis didn't suit up for the Wizards after being acquired from the Dallas Mavericks due to a finger injury.

It's an incredibly intriguing core group to work with, and it will mark the first time in his tenure was Wizards head coach that Keefe will have a team that at least looks capable of competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.