The Washington Wizards struggles to start the season have been the result of several issues on the roster,
Between inconsistent play from the team's veteran leaders, inexperience from their young core and poor execution, Washington's early season woes can't be pinpointed by one specific reason.
However, the team's current roster construction is a major reason for team's current spot at the bottom of the NBA standings.
More specifically, the team's lack of a point guard and inconsistent play from the primary ball handing spot has added to the already poor execution of Brian Keefe's squad.
The good news? Washington may have a rookie on the roster who's already proven he can fill the team's biggest void.
Will Riley may be able to serve as the Wizards primary ball handler
Will Riley was selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft as a rising prospect out of Illinois.
The overized guard showed flashes of his ability to create with the ball in his hand during his lone season with the Fighting Illini. Between his feel for the game, high basketball IQ and natural scoring ability, Riley's upside was worth the swing for the Wizards as they continued to build towards the future.
Despite not getting the opportunity to crack the rotation to start the season, Riley received the chance to prove what he was capable of with extended minutes in the G-League for the Capital City Go-Go.
Serving as the point guard for the Go-Go, the 19-year-old impressed with the ball in his hands capping off a dominant 36-point performance with the Wizards head coach in attendance on the sidelines.
Following the game, Brian Keefe let it be known exactly what popped out to him in Riley's breakout performance.
"His processing, his passing, his ability to read the game; that's obviously all stuff that we liked in the draft," Keefe said. He got good reps at that, playing at the point yesterday. He's big, he's 6'8", he can see over the defense. He had a big scoring night, the passing is the stuff that impressed me the most."
Riley may not exactly fit the eye test for a primary ball handler as team's navigate their search for the point guard of the future, but his feel for the game has become too good to overlook.
The guard's natural fit may be exactly what the Wizards need to fill their biggest void and if he can prove to be that answer, he may have the opportunity to earn immediate rotation minutes.