The Washington Wizards have been a top-10 defensive team every since Randy Wittman took over for Flip Saunders in 2012. The players have bought into his system and become one of the league’s most consistent defensive teams, but their offense has continued to leave a lot to be desired.

With Trevor Ariza gone via free agency, Bradley Beal and Martell Webster both hurt, the Washington Wizards’ offense has continued to struggle in preseason. Paul Pierce is still being integrated into the offense, while Glen Rice Jr. and Otto Porter haven’t been nearly as consistent offensively as the team would’ve hoped.

The Wizards are currently 4-2 in preseason, dropping both games to the Charlotte Hornets. While they’ve managed to get by with their defense, it’s clear that they need to improve offensively if they want to become a top team in the Eastern Conference, especially with Beal and Rice currently sidelined.

Beal, however, seems confident that the team will replace him for six weeks:

I think it will be different, but not too drastic. I have faith in Glen (Rice) and Otto (Porter) to be able to step up and do what they’re capable of doing, and Temple as well because he’ll have to swing the one and the two, so it’s up to those guys to go out there and get it done.

Washington has tried out several different lineups, including ones with Garrett Temple, Xavier Silas, Rasual Butler, and Damion James. Even though Glen Rice Jr. is expected to start at the beginning of the regular season, the Wizards don’t have much depth at the shooting guard position and have experimented with several players.

John Wall, in particular, has struggled offensively and it’s evident that he’s adjusting to the new additions, including Pierce. Wall led the league in assists this past season, creating the most corner three point shots in the entire NBA, but with Ariza and Webster gone from the lineup, he doesn’t have the luxury of darting passes to knock-down shooters.

We all agree wins and losses during NBA preseason typically mean squat. Stats, maybe not. Wizards rank 29th in scoring (90.5 ppg). — Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 18, 2014

Pierce has been more effective with the ball, but he’s also shown an ability to make shots while spotting up. The Wizards don’t have any traditional spot up shooters that are available to play right now, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we see Pierce play that role more often going forward.

The Washington Wizards are less than two weeks away from the start of the regular season and I’m sure we’ll see more tweaks to the offense and rotation. Wittman is still searching for the right combination, and has given the training camp invitees more of a chance to play in the past few games.

Washington doesn’t have one player that could replace Beal’s production, but they have to find the right combination.

What do you think they should do differently to improve the offense? Let me know in the comments section.