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Washington Wizards: projected depth chart following the final moves

By Cem Yolbulan

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 20: Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards stands for the national anthems ahead of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 20, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 20: Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards stands for the national anthems ahead of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 20, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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As of today, the Washington Wizards have their final roster for the 2023-24 NBA season. After waiving Xavier Cooks and Taj Gibson, the Wizards now have 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way players as they prepare to start their regular season against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow.

With the current roster, the Wizards project to have a depth chart that should look like this:

PG: Tyus Jones / Delon Wright / Ryan Rollins

SG: Jordan Poole / Corey Kispert / Landry Shamet / Johnny Davis

SF: Deni Avdija / Bilal Coulibaly

PF: Kyle Kuzma / Danilo Gallinari / Patrick Baldwin Jr. / Anthony Gill

C: Daniel Gafford / Mike Muscala

There are also three two-way players; Eugene Omoruyi, Jared Butler, and John Butler Jr. who can get rotation minutes as needed. Omoruyi can slot in as a backup forward, Butler as a third-string point guard, and Butler Jr. as a stretch big option if Muscala or Gafford were to miss time.

This is a relatively deep team with two capable NBA players in each position. Who the fifth starting spot belongs to remains a question mark as the competition between Avdija, Kispert, and Coulibaly continues. Given the preseason performances and the contract extension, it will likely be Avdija to start the season.

One glaring weakness in the rotation is the frontcourt depth, which was exacerbated by losing Gibson and Cooks. This is still an unbalanced roster with seven guards for two spots (eight if you count Coulibaly as a shooting guard) and only two centers. Danilo Gallinari should continue playing minutes at center, but the lack of size, physicality, and defensive versatility is concerning.

The logjam in the backcourt also makes it difficult for Ryan Rollins and Johnny Davis to be a part of the rotation. Without any injuries or trades, it’s hard to see how either young player plays meaningful minutes. Perhaps they will spend time with the Capital City Go-Go to begin the season.

It behooves the Wizards to make a few in-season trades to move on from veterans Delon Wright, Landry Shamet, and Danilo Gallinari to open up playing time for the young Wizards, as well as get additional draft compensation. That will surely happen at some point in the season, but until then, it will be difficult to compete with this frontcourt depth.

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