The Washington Wizards rough start to the season hasn't led to much hope for the fans of the team hoping to see general manager Will Dawkins and first-year head coach Brian Keefe turn things around any time soon.
With a young squad, it's fair to say that nobody should have entered the season with high expectations for Washington. And while that may be true, it's hard to imagine that anyone expected the Wizards to be this bad through the start to the season.
Nonetheless, while pulling any positives away from Washington's start to the season has been difficult, the emergence of the reigning No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr has been at least one story that is worth following for the team moving forward.
Alex Sarr wins NBA Rookie of the Month for December
Alex Sarr has put together multiple impressive performances through the start of the season, but he's struggled to find consistency at times. However, the month of December proved that the French product has all the tools to be a franchise player, and he showcased that to more than just Wizards fans considering the NBA noticed naming him the league's Rookie of the Month.
In December, Sarr averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 46.1% from field goal range and 45.5% from beyond the arc.
In addition to his offensive contributions, the two-way forward continues to show why the Wizards brass is so high on his potential with how impactful he is on defense. Sarr averaged 1.7 blocks per game and nearly one steal per game with 0.7.
The sky is truly the limit if Sarr continues to develop at the pace he is right now, and being in the situation he's in may be the most ideal fit for the 19-year-old to elevate his game to the next level. Washington's state of their rebuild allows for him to play big minutes on a nightly basis, and also feel free to play loose.
A lot of times, the development of a player is more about situation rather than the talent they possess. Fortunately for Sarr, he seems to have plenty of talent in the right situation.
Looking ahead, Sarr continues to show that he has the tools and traits to be a franchise player for the Wizards. And with the team leading the sweepstakes for the No. 1 overall pick, Washington seems to be in good hands moving forward.