Washington Wizards: 3 Russell Westbrook storylines to watch this season
By Jack Skolnik
3. Rebuild Ripple Effects
Today, the Washington Wizards roster currently has TEN players who are 24 years old or younger. That number is likely to shrink before opening day, but this Wizards team is young.
It’s odd hearing that such a young team has their eyes set on the playoffs, but Beal and Westbrook together elevate any team into playoff territory regardless of the supporting cast. With all of the young prospects that the Wizards have brought in over the past year, it’s safe to say that Tommy Sheppard may be covering his behind if Bradley Beal decides he wants out.
The Wizards want to win now, but their young pieces aren’t finished products. Sheppard has repeated that he doesn’t want to mortgage the team’s future, which probably includes not stifling the young guys’ progress.
How will that look playing next to Russell Westbrook for the next few seasons? Westbrook will have the ball in his hands a lot. Will that benefit or hurt guys?
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Westbrook has shown at points in his career that he can be a great facilitator, and we can only hope this continues for some of these young Wizards prospects. His ability to attack the rim should force opposing defenses to collapse, opening up good looks along the perimeter. With Westbrook being a threat to penetrate the paint every time he has the ball, Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans, and even Thomas Bryant should find themselves open on kick-outs.
It might not all be beneficial, though. Guys like Troy Brown Jr and Deni Avdija, who are both skilled playmakers, may have fewer opportunities to show off their abilities while Westbrook dominates the ball.
Regardless of how you may be feeling right this second, Russell Westbrook is a Washington Wizard, and there will be plenty to watch for as this season begins!