The Washington Wizards head into a pivotal offseason, where they're expected to once again pick within the top three of the upcoming NBA Draft.
Washington hopes to earn the top pick for a chance to select Cooper Flagg, but if they miss out on the no-brainer selection, they'll have to narrow down their options to ensure they make the right pick on draft night.
Last offseason, the team had the projected No. 1 overall pick fall into their laps at No. 2 overall, but even then some felt that the Wizards could have went a different direction with the pick they used to select Alex Sarr.
Although Sarr showed promise throughout this season, the winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award is left to allow the front office and the team's fanbase what could have been.
Stephon Castle leaves WAS wondering about his potential fit
Stephon Castle was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in last offseason's NBA Draft, just two picks behind Sarr. The UConn product quickly impressed for the San Antonio Spurs when the regular season and by the end of the year, you could tell the confidence in the athletic guard's game was continuing to grow.
The 20-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in mostly a bench role for the Spurs. Despite his role off the bench, it's clear that Castle will be a big part of the Spurs future and will quickly become a starter likely next season with a chance to be an absolute star alongside Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox.
Castle winning the award shouldn't exactly discourage the Wizards fanbase, but it certainly leaves them wondering about how he could have fit in Washington under Brian Keefe, especially considering the likelihood that he would have immediately become a starter considering his talent.
Sarr has a bright future ahead of him, and he has the potential to be a star in his own right, but there's no denying that he'll have a lot more work to do to rise to that level, where as Castle looks ready to emerge as soon as next season.
If he can improve his shot in the offseason, that alone will allow for his game to open up and take his game to the next level.
Until that happens, Wizards fans will be looking at Stephon Castle wondering what could have been had Adam Silver read off his name at No. 2 overall instead.