Pre-Draft Outlook
Year Two of Washington’s youth movement featured more growing pains, which were rewarded with equally painful lottery luck. The worst-case scenario (dropping from No. 2 to No. 6) makes it more difficult for the Wizards to add a truly foundational talent. Their young core is intriguing regardless. Alex Sarr (2nd overall, 2024), Bub Carrington (14th, 2024) and Bilal Coulibaly (7th, 2023) are all still under 21 years old and have produced in significant playing time. Jordan Poole turns 26 in June after a bounce-back season, and the team boasts respected veterans Khris Middleton (player option) and Marcus Smart, who can be kept to teach or included in trades.
The Way To Go
Back-to-back seasons with less than 20 wins negate the “fit” argument come draft day. The Wizards need the best talent they can acquire, and they have options to improve their odds to do so. Does a team already featuring five first-round draftees from the last two years want to add two more to the locker room? Or does Washington get aggressive, consolidate and move up for a better swing at a franchise-changer? If the Wizards stand pat, they’ll have options that include Duke swingman Kon Knueppel, Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears, Texas scoring guard Tre Johnson and Duke big man Khaman Maluach.
— Matt Petersen
Here’s a quick look at Washington’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Bub Carrington
G: Kyshawn George
G: AJ Johnson
G: Colby Jones
G: Jordan Poole
G: Marcus Smart
F: Saddiq Bey
F: Justin Champagnie
F: Bilal Coulibaly
F: Anthony Gill
F: Richaun Holmes
F: Corey Kispert
F: Alex Sarr
Free Agents
G: Malcolm Brogdon
G: Khris Middleton
F: JT Thor
F: Tristan Vukcevic