The Washington Wizards are a young team trying to build a consistent winner. They knew it would be a multiple-year process when they traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in the 2023 offseason. Washington won just 15 games last season, but ended up with the number two overall pick and happily chose Alex Sarr.
The Wizards traded Deni Avdija for another lottery selection and took Bub Carrington. The teenager is already drawing comparisons to an All-Star, but he is not currently at that level. Washington has to develop talent if they are going to get back into contention.
Head coach Brian Keefe is in charge of the plan. He discussed it with the Monumental Sports Network and fans should be excited about one particular nugget the 48-year-old dropped.
Brian Keefe plans to give the Wizards' rookies the freedom to play multiple roles
The head coach was clear that “establishing habits” was his top priority for his three rookie first-round picks. They must learn to be professionals and put in the work necessary to play at this level. Fans should view this as a massive win as all three are raw talents in need of significant development.
Beyond that, Keefe talked about his specific plans for Sarr and Carrington in the piece. He highlighted the number two overall pick’s “versatility” and was excited about his offensive game, despite his summer league struggles. See Keefe’s quote on Sarr below.
"He’s got the ability to be a three-level scorer at some point, but one thing that has stood out to us is his ability to see the game and read the game. He’s a good passer, so we want the ball in his hands to explore those opportunities for him to make plays for himself and others."
The plan is to play Carrington on and off the ball as a rookie as Keefe wants to see players in different roles.
Fans should love to hear that. Teams often make the mistake of being too restrictive on young player’s roles. Look no further than Jalen Brunson. He was a reserve guard for most of his time in Dallas before instantly becoming a superstar with the Knicks.
Keefe plans to let his players dictate where their skill set fits best. Fans will see Sarr get moments as the franchise’s number one option. Carrington will have chances to play point guard and operate as a floor spacer and finisher. The NBA is going to a positionless game, so having players with versatility is a must. Keefe is certainly trying to build that in the nation's capital.
This should be a season for experimentation and growth. The Wizards owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Knicks with a top-ten protection. Washington wants another lottery selection in a loaded class, so winning is not a priority. Helping Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, and the rest of their young talent improve should be atop their list. It appears coach Keefe has his priorities in order.