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Wizards announce training camp roster for competitive preseason

By Cem Yolbulan

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: A view of the Washington Wizards logo on their uniform during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: A view of the Washington Wizards logo on their uniform during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards are kicking off the 2023-24 NBA regular season with their first team practice on Tuesday, October 3rd. Ahead of the practice, they announced the roster for their training camp, consisting of 21 players. The organization is hoping for a competitive camp, with players vying for starting roles, minutes in the rotation, a spot on the final 15-man roster, or a two-way contract.

The 21 players in the training camp include 17 guaranteed contracts currently on the roster. Jared Butler and Eugene Omoruyi, who were signed to two-way contracts earlier in the offseason will also suit up for the preseason games. Additionally, Chase Audige, the undrafted guard out of Northwestern, and Jules Bernard, who spent the last season with the Capital City Go-Go will round out the training camp roster.

There is plenty at stake for a lot of the players on the camp roster. First of all, the roster needs to be cut to 15 guaranteed contracts before the start of the regular season. This means at least two players will be moved in the next few weeks. There will surely be competition at the back end of the roster to make the final cut.

There are a lot of rotation spots up for grabs as well, especially after injuries to Daniel Gafford and Landry Shamet. The young Wizards will have to impress to earn rotation minutes in the absence of Gafford and Shamet. Players like Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. will make their case to earn rotation minutes from the get-go.

There is even a starting spot battle. There is plenty of uncertainty regarding what the starting five will be in Washington. The biggest competition will be for the small forward spot, with both Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert having strong arguments to start. The training camp performances might determine the winner.

There is also competition for the final two-way spot. Every team is awarded three two-way players who split their time between the G League affiliate and the pros. The Wizards have one more spot available that they can use on Audige or Bernard.

It will be exciting to see who wins out in these rotation and roster spot battles. But more importantly, let’s hope it’s an injury-free training camp and preseason.

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