The Washington Wizards are not expected to have the best season in terms of wins and losses. The team is clearly in the midst of a rebuild and ESPN ranks the Wizards with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Although this is great for trying to acquire a talent like Cooper Flag Or Dylan HarperIt’s not great for Wizards fans who just want to watch exciting basketball. Still, even with plenty of likely losses on the way, there are some notable things about this team. Here are five Wizards storylines to watch for the 2024-25 season.
5 Wizards storylines to watch for 2024-25
5. Who will get the last spot on the list?
This is a storyline that takes place more at the beginning of the season than during it, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. The Wizards renounced Eugene Omoruyi a few days ago, which means they have 16 players competing for 15 roster spots. The players most likely to be cut after training camp are Patrick Baldwin, Anthony GillAnd Johnny DavisIt’s possible it’s someone else, but these three are the most likely.
While it won’t have a huge impact on their season, seeing who the Wizards cut in training camp is worth watching. Gill is a fan favorite in DC, so cutting him certainly wouldn’t be the most popular choice. Baldwin and Davis are both young and were supposed to have more value at this point in their careers than they already do. It will be interesting to see how training camp plays out for this team.
4. Will Poole’s situation improve or deteriorate?
At times, Jordan Poole Poole has been an All-Star caliber player. At other times, he has proven why he was named the 2024 Shaqtin’ A Fool MVP. You never know which version of Poole will show up, making him one of the most inconsistent players in the NBA. The general trend seems to be that he is better as a sixth man than a starter. However, he seems too good to come off the bench. Last season, Poole averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds on inefficient shooting.
Poole worked on his game in the offseason, but will that translate into games? What will remain the same from last year? Poole’s production and efficiency are things that will keep Wizards fans on their toes all season long.
3. Will Kuzma be traded?
The rumors started earlier in the offseason, especially when free agency began to open. However, when the dust settled and all the big signings and trades were made, Kyle Kuzma remained a wizard. Some still think he will end up with a new team soon. However, I think he will be there for another year or two. Deni Avdija was traded to Portland, but it’s not 100% certain that Kuzma is in the Wizards’ timeline. Seeing his level of production and whether he stays with the team until the 2025 trade deadline is another interesting Wizards story.
2. How will Carrington and George evolve?
Apart Alex SarrThe Wizards have two other rookies who were drafted in the first round: Carlton Carrington And Georges KyshawnCarrington is a 6-foot-6 guard and George is a 6-foot-8 wing. It’s unclear what level of production the Wizards will get from either player this season. However, both have shown promise in college and summer league. Carrington, as Pittsburgh’s lone player, impressed with his three-point shooting and point guard play in summer league. Tyus Jones gone, he will likely share playing time with Poole at guard. His development will be exciting to follow.
George, meanwhile, will share playing time with Kuzma, Corey KispertAnd Bilal CoulibalyIt will be harder for him to get playing time, so he should have a more limited role than Carrington. However, it will also be exciting to see him develop.
Wizards Story #1: Is Sarr a ROY or a Failure?
Sarr has become the NBA talking point for a week in Summer League. In his debut, he looked terrific, stopping four shots with ease. However, after a great first game, Sarr went cold. Really cold. So cold that his shooting spree ended up being the worst in Summer League history. In two games, Sarr he made 1 of 21 shots, which is a lot of missed shots.
It has now been proven that the success or failure of a summer league is not always tied to the NBA. However, this game definitely alarmed NBA fans. Sarr showed potential beyond this summer league game that indicates he will be a defensive nightmare in the paint for years to come. His shot will likely improve and he should be a great all-around player for the Wizards. But there is also the possibility that this cold streak was a preview of things to come. The Wizards have not always drafted the best talent in the past; after all, in 2001, they drafted another big man (Kwame Brown) with a top-two pick. While I think Sarr has a better chance of being a Rookie of the Year candidate than a bust, his development is definitely something to watch.
