The Washington Wizards took on the New York Knicks on the road Monday night in their second preseason game.
Not only did the Wizards young core impressed while short handed, but the team saw several players step up in the win proving that they deserve more than just a roster spot, but potentially meaningful minutes when the regular season arrives.
With an abundance of young talent on the roster, mixed with the veterans like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, rotation minutes are growing scarce.
That said, head coach Brian Keefe will have several tough decisions to make when the season comes and games begin to count.
Following Monday's win over the Knicks, these two players made Keefe's decisions even tougher.
Marvin Bagley III & Tristan Vukcevic turn heads
At the end of last season, it became clear that Alex Sarr was at his best when there was another servicable big alongside him on the court.
As a result, general manager Will Dawkins went out this offseason and signed a familiar face in Marvin Bagley III to compete in the frontcourt for the chance to carve out a role alongside the French product.
Between Bagley and the ongoing development of Tristan Vukcevic, Washington hoped that a reliable big could emerge that could play alongside Sarr and allow the 7-footer to adapt fully to his stretch five role that he's shown flashes of breaking out in.
Bagley earned the start at center on Monday and he showed plenty of potential to be that guy alongside Sarr.
Finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists, shooting 7/8 from field goal range, while recording two steals and a block on the defensive end, it's safe to say Bagley fully seized the opportunity to step into the starting lineup.
The Duke product looked like the prospect he was projected to be entering the NBA and at 26, he could fit the timeline for the Wizards if he somehow emerges as a legit role player.
However, Bagley's performance was combatted by a standout showing from yet another rising big man in Tristan Vukcevic.
The former second-round pick showed flashes of his ability at the end of last season in an increased role and after spending the offseason playing alongside and picking the mind of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic during FIBA EuroBasket play, Vukcevic looks poised for a breakout season of his own.
In 17 minutes off the bench, Vukcevic posted 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, while shooting 6/9 from field goal range and 3/5 from beyond the arc.
All that to say, with the amount of talent in he frontcourt emerging, Brian Keefe could be forced to make a tough decision when it comes to rotation minutes.