Kyshawn George’s first preseason look gave the Wizards plenty to build on.
The young guard came into the year with expectations already attached, and he didn’t waste time showing why. In his preseason debut, George put up 12 points and five assists, but the numbers only tell part of the story. He was active as an offensive organizer, and he also found ways to score without needing to dominate the ball.
That balance is exactly what Washington wants to see.
George was already an important passer for the Wizards last season, serving as the most reliable distributor among their young guards. A lot of his offense came from creating for himself, but he also showed a clear willingness to move the ball, especially when driving and kicking to cutting teammates in the corner for three-point chances.
That same instinct was on display again, but this time he added a layer. He delivered two assists that stood out because they came from reads he doesn’t usually have to make: an alley-oop to Deandre Ayton in the first quarter and an outlet pass to AJ Dybansta in transition. Those plays hinted at a broader offensive influence, one that extends beyond simply setting up perimeter looks.
That kind of passing matters for a Washington team that ranked just 23rd in points in the paint in 2025 and wants to bring more physicality to its offense this season. Anthony Davis will be a major part of that shift, but he’s also coming off a year in which he missed 67 games because of injury. That raises obvious questions about how much load he can carry while staying healthy for a postseason push.
If George can ease some of that burden as a distributor, the Wizards’ offense should benefit. Staggered minutes between the two would give Washington a capable playmaker on the floor at all times, which could make the group more efficient possession to possession.
George’s work without the ball may be just as important.
Last season, most of his scoring came from self-creation - beating defenders off the dribble or rising into pull-ups. That kind of shot-making has real value, but it can also slow things down and limit opportunities for others. With Davis and Trae Young now in the mix, George’s ability to function away from the ball becomes much more valuable.
He showed encouraging signs in that area during the preseason opener. Midway through the first quarter, he powered through the smaller Jalen Brunson for position inside and finished. Later, in the middle of the third quarter, he knocked down a catch-and-shoot three off a Bilal Coulibaly pass.
George still projects as a player whose easiest baskets will come with the ball in his hands. That’s where his strength lies. But if he keeps growing as a passer and becomes more effective off-ball, he could give Washington another layer on offense and become an even more important piece of the lineup.
In Other News...
Wizards Face An Early Test Their New Mix Needs To Pass
The Wizards opened the preseason with a win over the Knicks, a nice first look at a roster trying to sort out its new shape before the games start counting. Next up is a home date with the Pistons, another useful measuring stick for a group that is still learning how its pieces fit together, especially on a bench that struggled in the first exhibition and needs a cleaner showing against a Detroit team that likes to pressure offenses in different ways.
All of that makes the injury report worth watching as much as the matchup itself. Alex Sarr and Khris Middleton are both in game-time territory, which leaves Washington waiting on more clarity before tipoff, while the Wizards are already down Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins. For a team trying to build momentum early, the chance to get a more complete look at the rotation matters almost as much as the result. [Read more 🡒]
Wizards Face One Huge Anthony Davis Decision With Real Risk
Anthony Davis arrival in Washington has shifted the conversation around the Wizards in a hurry, even if the partnership is still in its early stages. After Dallas sent him out in the blockbuster chain reaction that began with the Luka Doni trade, the Wizards suddenly found themselves with a player whose talent changes the ceiling of any roster and whose presence instantly makes them more relevant in the leagues long view.
There is still real uncertainty attached to the move, though, and Washington is not rushing into a long-term commitment. Davis and the Wizards are both weighing what comes next, with extension talks expected to happen during or after the season, and the franchise is trying to balance the upside of keeping him around with the risk that always follows a player whose recent availability has been a major concern. [Read more 🡒]
Deandre Ayton Gets A Fresh Wizards Chance He Desperately Needed
Deandre Aytons arrival gives Washington one of the more intriguing reclamation projects on its roster. The 2018 No. 1 pick is now with his fourth team in five seasons, and the move comes with the kind of low-pressure, high-clarity setup he has not always had elsewhere. For the Wizards, it is another swing at finding a useful veteran presence in the frontcourt while trying to steady a rebuild that still needs more dependable production around the paint.
Ayton is not being asked to carry everything or force his way into a centerpiece role right away. Instead, this looks like a chance to lean into the parts of his game that can matter most for Washington: defensive rebounding, efficient scoring near the rim and giving the team a steadier option when the front line is short-handed. If he can settle into that lane, the Wizards could get more than just depth - they could get a player who helps them inch toward something closer to a turnaround. [Read more 🡒]