The Washington Wizards are set to host the New York Knicks on Friday to cap off the preseason. With the regular season less than a week away, Washington has shown flashes of what to expect from Brian Keefe’s young squad ahead of the long year ahead.
That said, the Wizards will have one more game to showcase their early growth. Assuming the starters will play extended minutes, this will be the first game we can take something away from.
Is Alex Sarr ready to be the Wizards top option?
Alex Sarr has shown promise in his first few games with the Wizards. After his abysmal Summer League showing, there seemed to be early doubt about how impactful the rookie could be in his first season in Washington.
Nonetheless, the big man has shown his versatility on the offensive end and his ability to be a game-changer on defense. Considering his length, Sarr is a threat as a shot blocker and a willing defender. In addition, his ability to handle the ball as a seven-footer could be a huge boost for the Wizards' rollout of a mixture of lineups in different matchups.
If Sarr can show he’s ready to be the building block for the Wizards in year one, it could clear up any issues for general manager Will Dawkins as he continues to rebuild the team.
Corey Kispert’’s role in a pivotal year
Corey Kispert was selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Since joining the Wizards, the forward has showcased his ability to be a streaky shooter and a high-IQ basketball player. However, the Gonzaga product has yet to break out as the player Washington hoped he could be out of college.
However, through the start of the preseason, Kispert has piled on impressive performances. Whether due to his offseason work ethic or a bigger opportunity, the 25-year-old looks poised for a big year.
Can Jordan Poole be the Wizards' answer at point guard?
Jordan Poole was given the early nod to be the Wizards primary ball handler to start the season. The Michigan alum has impressed in spurts, but at other times, his inefficiency and lack of desire to include his teammates have seemingly stumped his growth as the starting point guard.
The playmaker has shown he has the skill set to do the job, and to do it effectively, it’s just a matter of Poole doing it on a nightly basis. With Keefe’s confidence in his starting guard and the opportunity to learn and grow in a rebuilding year, the combo guard could emerge by season's end.
On Friday, he’ll have an extended chance to showcase what he has to offer.