The Washington Wizards are not exactly at the top of the NBA’s rankings or popularity charts, but for die-hard basketball enthusiasts and Wizards fans, there’s a certain allure to following this team. As the Wizards enter the upcoming season, it appears they’re prepared to tank like never before, possibly setting themselves up to be one of the worst teams in the league. The entire roster seems to have been assembled with a peculiar mix of young players, questionable draft picks, and unexpected veterans, all of which make the Wizards a fascinating case study in rebuilding (or imploding) an NBA team.
1. A Roster Built to Fail
The Wizards’ roster is a strange collection of youthful inexperience and past-their-prime veterans. This combination will likely lead to a disastrous season, but for a team seemingly interested in maximizing their draft position, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Wizards have young, unproven players like Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington, who both come into this season with vastly different expectations. Sarr, in particular, was a highly criticized draft choice who has yet to show much promise, even during Summer League. His performance was underwhelming, and his future as a productive player in the NBA is far from certain. But Washington is committed to playing him, no matter how rough the learning curve may be.
In Summer League, Sarr displayed a lack of defensive prowess, a complete absence of shot creation, and posted terrible numbers across the board. Although he was always considered a project player, Sarr’s rookie year could very well be a painful one to watch. The Wizards, however, seem undeterred by this prospect. They intend to give him significant playing time in the frontcourt, alongside other big men like Jonas Valančiūnas. Washington appears content to let Sarr develop, even if that means sacrificing wins this season.
2. Bub Carrington: A Bright Spot?
In contrast, Bub Carrington showed flashes of promise during Summer League. He’s athletic, quick, and surprisingly adept at decision-making. Despite his youth, Carrington has the potential to end the season as Washington’s best guard—a telling statement about the team’s current roster situation. While Carrington might bring a glimmer of hope for Wizards fans, it’s a low bar to clear given the competition. Still, for those few fans looking for something positive in the Wizards’ upcoming season, Carrington might be worth watching.
Another rookie, Keshon George, appears destined for a three-and-D role, but his impact will likely be limited to sporadic contributions from beyond the arc. While neither player is likely to turn the team’s fortunes around, their development is at least a small incentive for fans to tune in.
3. The Bizarre Veteran Presence
In an unexpected twist, the Wizards have also added veterans like Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valančiūnas. These players aren’t expected to stay for long, with potential trades looming, but they’re likely to start the season in Wizards jerseys. Brogdon, acquired as part of a salary dump, may not have much of a role in the team’s plans. Valančiūnas, on the other hand, could see significant minutes, especially in the early stages of the season. His presence in the frontcourt, alongside players like Sarr and Richaun Holmes, creates a strange blend of experience and inexperience.
Valančiūnas’ offensive skills could provide some stability, though his defensive liabilities will likely contribute to the Wizards’ losing efforts. The front office’s strategy seems clear: let the veterans play early, then trade them for draft picks and assets by the deadline. While this makes sense from a rebuilding standpoint, the sight of these seasoned pros on a team designed to lose is still jarring.
4. The Jordan Poole Dilemma
The Wizards also have the enigma that is Jordan Poole, whose massive contract was signed during his stint with the Golden State Warriors. Last season, Poole’s performances ranged from inconsistent to downright dreadful. His shot selection was questionable, and his defensive lapses were often glaring. While Washington might have initially hoped Poole could be an asset, there’s a growing sense that he could become a benchwarmer, depending on how the season unfolds.
If things don’t go well, Poole could find himself losing playing time to younger guards like Carrington, as the Wizards prioritize development over immediate impact. His potential status as a trade asset is now in question, and he could easily become an expensive liability that the Wizards struggle to move.
5. Kyle Kuzma and the Trade Rumors
Kyle Kuzma remains one of the few established players on the roster who could genuinely impact games. However, given the Wizards’ current trajectory, his time in Washington may be short-lived. Kuzma’s contract is affordable in today’s salary cap environment, which makes him a prime candidate for a midseason trade. If the Wizards want to fully embrace their tanking strategy, they’ll likely look to move Kuzma for additional assets.
Rumors are already swirling about potential suitors, with contenders like the Lakers being mentioned as possible landing spots. If Kuzma is moved, the Wizards’ roster will be almost entirely composed of unproven young talent and players with significant question marks surrounding their futures.
6. A Dismal Future but Reasons to Watch
Post-trade deadline, the Wizards could easily become one of the worst teams in recent NBA history, potentially rivaling the 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats. Their roster would consist almost entirely of rookies and second-year players, with a few journeymen thrown into the mix. Alex Sarr could potentially have one of the worst rookie seasons on record, while Poole might continue to disappoint.
Despite this, there are still a few intriguing pieces on the roster. Players like Carrington and French rookie Bilal Coulibaly bring some excitement to the table, and Cory Kispert’s potential as a reliable role player could give fans something to cheer for. Although these individual stories won’t make the Wizards contenders anytime soon, they provide enough intrigue to make Washington’s games worth watching—for those with the stomach to see it through.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 Washington Wizards may not win many games, but they are positioned to win something arguably more valuable: the opportunity to secure a top lottery pick. Their blend of inexperience, low expectations, and strategic veteran additions makes for a team that, while almost unwatchable in terms of pure basketball quality, will be fascinating in terms of NBA roster construction and strategy. Whether it’s watching young players flounder, waiting for veterans to be traded, or simply embracing the chaos that is Jordan Poole’s game, the Wizards offer fans a spectacle that is both painfully bad and oddly compelling.
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