The Washington Wizards are not headed anywhere this coming season, but that does not mean that they should be ignored.

Veterans Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum are entering the twilight of their careers, while the rest of the roster is still trying to carve out an identity in the NBA. Middleton and McCollum might turn back the clock for a vintage performance or two, though their biggest possible contribution to this team will be molding their young core into consummate professionals just like themselves.

All eyes will be on incoming sophomores Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George, along with 21-year-old Bilal Coulibaly and rookie Tre Johnson. For this season to be considered a success—regardless of their final record—the Wizards need at least one of them to flash real star potential.

Washington isn’t likely to win many games, yet if the foundation of their future continues to take shape, this coming year will not be a complete waste.

WHAT’S NEW?

The 34-year-old McCollum arrived from the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade that sent away last year’s leading scorer, Jordan Poole. McCollum can still put up numbers–he averaged 21.1 points in 56 games last season–but the Wizards would be wise to shift their focus towards developing Carrington and Johnson.

McCollum is on an expiring contract that is paying him $30 million this season, making him an attractive midseason trade target for contenders in need of a scoring boost. If McCollum puts on strong numbers to start the season, it could bump up his value. Washington could then cash in and flip him for draft assets or younger players to help their rebuilding process.

Another key player joining the team is the rookie Johnson, the sixth overall pick of this year’s NBA Draft. The 6’5 guard flashed his scoring ability at the NBA 2K26 Summer League and learning from accomplished scorers such as McCollum and Middleton will only do wonders for his development.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS

The 7’0 Sarr posted a solid rookie line: 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He struggled from the floor, though, hitting just 39.4% of his field goals. As he fills out his frame—he was listed at only 205 pounds last season—he should be able to match up better inside, which should naturally lead to a bump in his shooting efficiency.

Sarr was in the middle of a strong summer with France before a minor calf injury cut it short. He’s expected back on the court for the Wizards’ training camp, and it’ll be interesting to see whether his form with his national team carries over into a strong sophomore season in the NBA.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Both still only 21 years old, Coulibaly and George profile as the type of players who can succeed in today’s NBA. They can defend multiple positions and already possess a decent level of versatility on offense. If they can hit three-pointers at a more consistent rate, it will unlock a whole new level for them. Coulibaly has what it takes to become a decent secondary playmaker too and he should get more than enough opportunities to hone this in the coming season. 

Washington should use this year to continue exploring the potential of the young players on their roster such as Coulibaly and George. This is the time to experiment and see just how high their ceiling could be.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM/CONCERN

The Wizards are going to lose a lot of games, but they kind of have to since they only keep their draft pick if it falls within the top eight. 

Their five prospects (Sarr, Carrington, George, Coulibaly, and Johnson) are going to make or break the mood of their season. At least one of them must show promise to make all of the losing that is coming up worthwhile. If not, Washington’s search for its next cornerstone will need another restart and this team’s dreams of returning to the playoffs will remain nothing more than just a dream.