The Washington Wizards rebuild was long overdue when the team finally decided to press the restart button.
After the decision to move on from Bradley Beal, Washington has spent the last few years recouping young talent and draft compensation with the hopes of emerging as a legitmate contender in the Eastern Conference sooner rather than later.
To do that though, Washington would be tasked with the tall order of not only finding players they can build around, but landing a cornerstone prospect that could change the narrative of the rebuild as a whole.
Between the likes of Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and now Tre Johnson, it has become increasingly clear that the Wizards' front office has become motivated by the core they've built up to this point.
Part of that confidence in their young core is exactly why the Wizards opted to take a swing on a blockbuster trade for four-time All-Star Trae Young when they had the opportunity.
That move in specific is the one trade that immediately raised eyebrows on wheere the Wizards stood in their rebuild.
Was the end of the rebuild near?
Is Washington looking to contend sooner than expected?
Is another blockbuster trade around the corner?
Plenty of question that fans want answers for.
Fortunately, President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger, the man behind majority of the Wizards' decisions just gave the fanbase an update that sheds more light on the team's current state.
Michael Winger says Wizards are entering important phase
In a recent interview, Winger fielded questions and gave brutally honest updates; one of which that made it abundantly clear where things are heading in Washington
“We’re coming upon a time in the next 6-18 months where we have to declare which of our youngest players can make material contributions to our eventual contention and which will make their most meaningful contributions somewhere else," Winger said.
This update makes one thing clear, especially considering that Winger went on record to say the team was finished with the "reconsutruction phase" of the rebuild.
Washington is now focusing on which prospects will be a long-term fit in their plans, and which players could be on the outside looking in if they don't turn things around in the near future.
The Wizards have faith in the core they've built and as they move to the next step of their rebuild, fans should be monitoring which players seem like a lock to stay and who could be moved in the near future.