The Washington Wizards new-look roster puts all eyes ahead to next season with the team's revamped depth chart giving plenty of optimism about a potential postseason run next season.
Nonetheless, with Washington being shorthanded down the stretch of the season, all eyes are on the team right now as head coach Brian Keefe continues to get extended opportunities to decide which players could be poised to be a key piece in the team's future plans.
While these opportunities are good for some, it may be offering a harsh reality check to Justin Champagnie that he already knows all too well.
Justin Champagnie may be the odd man out
Over the last couple of games, Justin Champagnie has found himself as the odd man out of the team's rotation, with the likes of rookie forwards Will Riley and Julian Reese earning minutes ahead of him.
In addition to the two rooks, veteran wing Anthony Gill has also heard his number called ahead of Champagnie, which alone is eye-opening, especially when looking ahead to next season.
If the Pittsburgh product isn't able to get minutes now with the team extremely shorthanded, it means one of two things.
Either Champagnie is viewed as a player that Keefe has seen enough of and believes he could impact the team's tanking strategies in a negative way (by winning) OR Washington is seeking other players that can replace him this offseason as the team's roster gymastics continue.
Considering the team opted to have four-time All-Star Trae Young return to play, all indication suggesst that possibility No. 2 is the most likely situation.
Champagnie's roster spot is unsafe
As mentioned above, the fact that Champagnie isn't earning minutes right now is extremely alarming.
With the Wizards set to add a high-end prospect to the roster this offseason, mixed with the eventual return of former first-round pick Cam Whitmore, minutes will only get more scarce in the frontcourt moving forward.
And that's not even factoring in how big of an impact Anthony Davis will have in the team's rotation when Washington returns to full health.
Champagnie has shown plenty of flashes throughout his time in Washington, but the flashes haven't been enough to overshadow the lack of consistency, a skill in which Keefe and the front office seemingly value the most.
All that to say, when the offseason comes around, it wouldn't be a shock to see Champagnie on the outside looking in.