Although they aren't expected to be title contenders next season, this year will mark the true beginning of the Washington Wizards' rebuilding process. The success of this rebuild will be contingent on a few factors, the most important being the team's young players and their development. Despite a poor Summer League showing from No.
2 pick Alex Sarr, the Wizards still walked away with their heads held high. Bub Carrington, the No.14 pick put on an impressive showing in the Summer League averaging 15.
8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
Kyshawn George, the No. 24 pick, demonstrated his potential by showcasing his shooting rhythm and defensive capabilities. The Wizards hope that the trio, paired with Bilal Coulibaly, will be their core for the future.
Player development will be the primary objective for this season, an aspect that head coach Brian Keefe knows well. Keefe's role in the developmental process of the trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City and his later work with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should give the Wizards optimism that they have the right guy in place to develop a winning core. Keefe's focus on the defensive end of the floor should be especially effective in the development of Coulibaly and Sarr, whose defensive abilities have been marketed as the best assets of their game.
If all goes well in Washington, the duo could grow into a leaguewide nightmare thanks to their combination of size and athleticism. This next year should also serve as an evaluation of talent to determine what other players will be a part of Washington's long-term plans. Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma and Johnny Davis sit at the top of the list of players whose futures will be evaluated.
Although Kuzma has been solid during his three seasons in Washington, averaging more than 20 points per game for the past two, his age may be the issue here. Kuzma, who turned 29 this month, will not be the priority for a team that is looking to develop its younger players. In addition, he holds appeal with contending teams that are looking for a scoring wing, so shipping him out may be in the Wizards' best interest to gain future capital.
Poole, 25, presents a different angle. If this rebuild goes as planned, he could be a valuable contributor once it's complete. Last season raised concerns about whether he could be a valuable asset moving forward.
Poole's turbulent season saw him get benched. His play improved, and he regained his spot in the starting lineup. The Wizards have the luxury of letting this scenario play out early into the season.
If Poole shows progress, Washington will have the choice to keep him around or trade him at a higher price. Davis finds himself in a unique scenario in this process. The third-year guard and former lottery pick has failed to pick up any traction throughout his NBA career.
During the Summer League, Davis showed signs of potential, putting up 13.5 points per game in two appearances. In the past, playing time has been an issue for Davis as he has a career average of 13.
3 minutes per game. This will be a pivotal year for Davis, as he will likely see an increase in minutes with the Wizards giving him one more chance to prove himself. Pressure should be low for Davis since Washington isn't expecting to compete this season.
With any luck, he can prove to be a valuable role player and solidify his place in this rebuilding process..
