Projecting the Wizards starting lineup by the end of the season

Entering the regular season, the Washington Wizards have put together a mixture of new faces on the roster.

Between free agency additions, offseason acquisitions, and draft picks, the Wizards enter next season with a handful of returning guys. With first-year head coach Brian Keefe calling the shots, Washington has already displayed multiple different lineup changes throughout the preseason.

Assuming the team’s starting lineup is subject to change, here’s a prediction for how the Wizards starting lineup will look by season's end.

Point Guard - Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole was handed the keys to the offense early in the preseason by the team’s rookie head coach. The guard has the skill set to thrive as a playmaking combo guard, and this season is clearly all about his growth and evaluation for his future fit with the team.

That said, it’s hard to imagine Poole is pulled as the starting point guard unless he just can’t seem to figure it out or he’s too inconsistent to keep on the floor as a primary ball handler. Nonetheless, the Michigan product likely stays put in the starting lineup.

Shooting Guard - Bilal Coulibaly

The Wizards put their chips in on the French product in last year’s draft when they selected Coulibaly with the No. 7 overall pick. Between his elite size and potential to be a two-way threat, his development on the Wizards will be essential to both his future with the team and Washington’s rebuilding process.

Improving his offense will be key, but boosting his confidence could be the recipe to success for the young guard. Looking ahead, Coulibaly will stay in the starting lineup unless injuries get in the way.

Small Forward - Kyshawn George

Kyshawn George was selected in the back half of the first round in this year’s NBA Draft. The Miami product has shined throughout the preseason and continues to turn heads with his versatility on both sides of the floor.

George won’t start right away as he serves as a depth piece on the bench behind Kyle Kuzma and as a filler in the backcourt due to his ball-handling ability. Nonetheless, Kuzma finishing the season with the Wizards seems unlikely to happen and it could lead to the team turning their attention to the rookie as they hope to give him a head start in his development.

Power Forward - Alex Sarr

Alex Sarr as many know was the Wizards' top overall pick in the offseason’s NBA Draft. The big man is as versatile as they come and possesses the skillset to be a game-changer for the Wizards moving forward. Prioritizing his development will be vital and the Wizards front office and coaching staff know that. 

It will be highly unlikely at any point of the season that Sarr finds himself out of the starting lineup if he is deemed healthy on game night.

Center - Marvin Bagley III

As we head into the start of the season, the Wizards seemingly plan to slot their big free agency signing Jonas Valanciunas into the starting lineup at center. And while his ability to rebound and stretch the floor may be nice for the team’s young group to start the season, his fit in Washington has never made sense.

Assuming Washington starts the season off slow, Valanciunas will almost immediately be inserted into trade rumors considering his contract, age, and the state of the Wizards' rebuild. Eventually, the writing on the wall seems to be that the 32-year-old will be traded to a contending team that is willing to offer young players and/or draft assets to add immediate help in the frontcourt.

Furthermore, the Wizards could look to former lottery pick Marvin Bagley III to join the starting lineup to see if there is any hope of tapping into the high potential the Duke product entered the league with.

In a rebuilding season for the Wizards, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them turn into sellers at the trade deadline and completely remodel the team leaving this as the starting lineup at some point.