The Washington Wizards selected Jamir Watkins at No. 43 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a risky move considering he'll be a 24-year-old rookie, but the Wizards seem to have identified characteristics that fit their long-term vision.
It hasn't taken long for Watkins, a 6'7" wing with a 6'11.25" wingspan, to justify the hype—albeit while presenting flaws that may temper the excitement.
Watkins has been nothing short of sensational on the defensive end of the floor at the Las Vegas Summer League. He's averaging 3.5 steals and 1.0 block in four games played, coming up with no fewer than two takeaways in any of those outings.
That includes the seven steals and three blocks that he amassed against the Philadelphia 76ers in what may have been the most impressive defensive performance of the summer.
With his defensive potential on full display, Watkins has positioned himself to play meaningful minutes in 2025-26. His competitiveness and proficiency should open the door for a steady role in a rotation that's flush with up-and-comers who could stand to improve defensively.
Unfortunately, Watkins is currently 11-of-39 from the field and 3-of-21 from beyond the arc in Las Vegas—facts that epitomize the concerns that balance out his appeal as a player.
Jamir Watkins has the defense to play NBA minutes, but must improve offensively
It's difficult to be critical of Watkins' offensive game knowing what he achieved in college. He averaged 15.6 points and 2.8 assists per game on .457/.344/.795 shooting in 2023-24, and posted marks of 18.4 points and 2.4 assists on .427/.321/.747 shooting in 2024-25.
In both of those seasons, Watkins was asked to carry a significant offensive workload for Florida State teams that lacked ideal scoring depth.
As such, it's easy to see how the 2025 All-ACC honoree could find a way to produce reliable offensive numbers. He's even displayed the capacity for relatively efficient shooting when the burden is relieved in the scoring department.
The Wizards are certainly equipped to take that pressure off of him with the likes of Tre Johnson and Cam Whitmore leading a deep and promising roster.
The hurdle facing Watkins, however, will be establishing himself as a valuable off-ball player. If he can move without the ball and consistently bury shots in catch-and-shoot situations, he should find it manageable to enter and hold on to a place in the rotation.
If he struggles to space the floor, however, then not even his potentially elite defense will be able to garner a reliable supply of minutes.
Thankfully, Watkins is defending at such a high level at Summer League that patience may be granted to him as far as his offensive game is concerned. He's creating turnovers at virtual will and stifling attempts to score on him along the way.
If the Wizards are willing to accept that his offensive game is a work in progress, then Watkins' defense could prove valuable to their long-term outlook.