Patrick Ewing Might Finally Return to D.C. Bench. There’s a Lot to Unpack.

Patrick Ewing is probably still smiling after watching his Knicks finally win a title. Now it looks like he might head back to the other city where his name carries serious weight. The Hall of Fame big man is in talks to join the Washington Wizards coaching staff, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

Ewing is 63 now. He became a D.C. legend by leading Georgetown to a national championship and two runner-up finishes back in the ’80s. He later coached the Hoyas from 2017 to 2023, though that stint ended with more losses than wins. Still, the local ties run deep.

The Wizards are trying to build something around No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, star guard Trae Young, and future Hall of Famer Anthony Davis. That’s a roster with serious talent but zero playoff chemistry yet. Bringing in a guy who knows what it takes to win in this city might not be a bad idea. Ewing also has a ton of NBA assistant coaching experience. He started that part of his career in Washington, spending two years with the Wizards before stops in Houston, Orlando, and Charlotte. Most recently he worked as an advisor and ambassador with the Knicks, so he’s worn a lot of hats around the league.

His head coaching tenure at Georgetown drew plenty of criticism. The Hoyas never really got back to national relevance under him. But maybe he’s better suited as an assistant now, offering real advice to young players like Dybantsa, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington. That’s a lot of developing talent in one room.

Wizards head coach Brian Keefe is reportedly interested in adding a fellow Massachusetts native to his staff. Keefe and Ewing both come from the same state. Whether that connection means anything in practice remains to be seen.

Ewing waited decades to see the Knicks win another championship. If he joins this Wizards team, he better be ready to wait some more. Washington is still a long way from contending, even with all that young talent and Davis anchoring the middle. But having a Hall of Famer around the facility every day? That doesn’t hurt.