The Washington Wizards are coming off a disastrous season in which they finished with the second-worst record in the league at 15-67. After trading away Bradley Beal and starting a new era with Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole at the helm, the season did not go as planned. Despite high hopes for Poole and Kuzma to lead the franchise, the Wizards struggled mightily. Now, with the No. 2 pick Alex Sarr joining the team, they hope to improve in the 2024-25 season and start seeing progress in their rebuild.
Here’s a breakdown of their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.
Point Guard (PG)
Starter: Jordan Poole
Reserves: Carlton Carrington, Jared Butler
Jordan Poole had a subpar first season with the Wizards, well below expectations after being traded from the Golden State Warriors. Once viewed as the successor to Stephen Curry, Poole struggled with his efficiency, averaging 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field and just 32.6% from three-point range. Poole will need to show significant improvement, particularly in his decision-making and shooting, to help lead the Wizards forward.
Carlton Carrington, a promising young prospect, and Jared Butler provide depth at the point guard position, but much of the team's offensive success will depend on Poole’s ability to bounce back and take on a leadership role.
Shooting Guard (SG)
Starter: Corey Kispert
Reserves: Johnny Davis, Justin Champagnie, Malcolm Brogdon (Out)
Corey Kispert had his best season yet, averaging 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting an impressive 48.6% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. Kispert has developed into a solid shooting guard with a reliable three-point shot, and he will continue to be a key part of the Wizards’ offense.
Malcolm Brogdon was acquired in a trade that sent Deni Avdija away, but he will start the season on the injured list. Brogdon, who averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field and 41.2% from deep last season, could eventually challenge for the starting spot once healthy. Johnny Davis, who is still developing after an underwhelming start to his NBA career, and Justin Champagnie will provide depth off the bench.
Small Forward (SF)
Starter: Kyle Kuzma
Reserves: Kyshawn George, Anthony Gill, Taylor Funk, Saddiq Bey (Out)
Kyle Kuzma had the best season of his career last year, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range. Kuzma has embraced his leadership role with the Wizards and will continue to be one of the primary offensive options. His ability to score in various ways and contribute on the boards makes him a valuable piece for this rebuilding team.
Saddiq Bey, who was expected to play a key role off the bench, is currently sidelined with an injury, leaving Kyshawn George, Anthony Gill, and Taylor Funk to provide additional depth at the forward position.
Power Forward (PF)
Starter: Alex Sarr
Reserves: Bilal Coulibaly, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Mouhamed Gueye, John Butler
The Wizards landed a potential star in Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Sarr, a 7-foot center with impressive defensive skills and shot-blocking ability, is expected to make an immediate impact. His athleticism and versatility allow him to play both power forward and center, and he will look to have a standout rookie campaign. Many touted Sarr as a possible No. 1 overall pick, and the Wizards are hopeful that he can be a franchise-changing player.
Bilal Coulibaly, a highly touted prospect from France, will look to develop in his second year, while Patrick Baldwin Jr., Mouhamed Gueye, and John Butler add depth to the frontcourt.
Center (C)
Starter: Jonas Valanciunas
Reserves: Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley III, Tristan Vukcevic
Jonas Valanciunas, who was acquired from the Pelicans, will anchor the Wizards' frontcourt. Last season, Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 55.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. His veteran presence and rebounding ability will be crucial for the young Wizards team, especially as Alex Sarr develops.
Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III provide additional depth and versatility at the center position, while Tristan Vukcevic is a promising young player who will look to make an impact off the bench.
The Washington Wizards are still in the early stages of their rebuild, and while they have some promising pieces, they are likely to remain near the bottom of the standings as they continue to develop their young core. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma will be the focal points of the offense, but both players need to show consistency and leadership if the Wizards hope to improve.
The addition of Alex Sarr could be a game-changer for the franchise. If Sarr lives up to his potential, the Wizards will have a cornerstone player to build around for the future. Corey Kispert and Malcolm Brogdon provide valuable contributions in the backcourt, while the frontcourt with Valanciunas and Sarr should offer solid rebounding and interior defense.
The Wizards are not expected to be playoff contenders this season, but they are building toward the future. Head coach Brian Keefe will need to focus on player development and building team chemistry. If young players like Poole, Sarr, and Kispert can take significant steps forward, the Wizards may begin to see the foundation of a competitive team in the coming years.
Realistically, the Wizards will likely struggle again this season, but they hope that their young players will show enough promise to set the stage for future success.
Here are all the projected lineups we've done so far:
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