Wizards’ Season Check-In: Development, Draft Positioning, and a Whole Lot of Growing Pains
The Washington Wizards didn’t just lose to the Cavaliers - they got run off the floor. A 25-point loss in a game that, frankly, felt over before it began.
And while the scoreboard was rough, perhaps the most telling moment came off it: someone watching the game mistook James Harden for a retired legend being honored at halftime. Turns out, he was actually playing.
That about sums it up.
But rather than dwell on another lopsided loss, let’s take a step back and assess where the Wizards stand as we move deeper into the season. Spoiler: it’s not pretty in the win column, but that’s not entirely the point right now.
Where the Wizards Stand: A Numbers Snapshot
Here’s a breakdown of how the Wizards rank across key team metrics - with their previous rankings from January 20 in parentheses:
- Effective Field Goal % (eFG%): 26th (down from 23rd)
- Offensive Rebound %: 16th (up from 19th)
- Turnover Rate: 24th (up from 26th)
- Free Throws Made per Field Goal Attempt: 26th (up from 27th)
So what are we seeing here? A team that’s shooting a little worse, rebounding a little better, and still struggling to get to the line or take care of the ball.
In other words, a young team doing young-team things. There are hints of growth, but they’re buried under the weight of inexperience - and, let’s be honest, a front office that isn’t exactly incentivized to win right now.
With their top-eight protected pick in play, the Wizards have every reason to prioritize development over results. That philosophy is showing up in the rotations, the lineups, and even the injury reports.
In a recent must-lose matchup against Brooklyn, several key players were held out with questionable “injuries.” Against Cleveland, the Wizards rolled out a starting five where the tallest player was 6-foot-8 rookie Kyshawn George.
The message is clear: the long-term vision is driving the short-term decisions.
Defensive Woes Continue
On the defensive end, not much has changed - and that’s not a good thing. Opponents are shooting slightly better against them, but the Wizards have cut down on fouls a bit. Still, the core issues remain:
- They don’t force misses.
- They don’t clean up the glass when opponents do miss.
- They don’t generate turnovers.
- And they foul more than most teams in the league.
It’s a recipe for defensive disaster, and the numbers back that up.
Player Production: Who’s Moving the Needle?
Let’s dig into the Player Production Average (PPA) - a metric that evaluates a player’s overall impact per possession, factoring in scoring, rebounding, defense, and other elements that contribute to winning (or losing) basketball. It’s adjusted for pace, role, and level of competition.
Here’s a look at where key Wizards players stand as of Game 53:
| Player | Games | MPG | Previous PPA | Current PPA |
|---|
| Alex Sarr | 41 | 28.2 | 145 | 138 | | Justin Champagnie | 50 | 19.3 | 96 | 108 |
| Kyshawn George | 43 | 30.1 | 94 | 97 | | Tre Johnson | 40 | 25.0 | 80 | 82 |
| Bilal Coulibaly | 33 | 26.8 | 81 | 80 | | Malaki Branham | 28 | 9.8 | 56 | 58 |
| Bub Carrington | 53 | 28.0 | 51 | 53 | | Tristan Vukcevic | 33 | 11.9 | 46 | 52 |
| Cam Whitmore | 21 | 16.9 | 49 | 49 | | Will Riley | 45 | 16.6 | 34 | 46 |
A few takeaways:
- Alex Sarr remains the team’s most productive player, though his numbers have dipped slightly. That’s not surprising - he’s logging heavy minutes as the team’s primary rim protector and interior presence.
The workload is real, and while he’s had some standout moments, he’s also looked gassed at times.
- Justin Champagnie is trending up. He’s capitalizing on his minutes and proving he can be a reliable contributor when given the chance.
- Will Riley has quietly made strides. His PPA jump from 34 to 46 may not sound like much, but for a young player in limited minutes, it’s a sign of growth.
- Across the board, most players are holding steady. That consistency - even if it’s at a low level - isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a rebuilding team. The key now is identifying who can take that next step.
The Garbage Time Brigade
Here’s how the deeper bench and two-way players have fared in limited action:
| Player | Games | MPG | PPA |
|---|
| Kadary Richmond | 1 | 6.0 | 315 | | Jaden Hardy | 1 | 15.0 | 99 |
| Skal Labissiere | 3 | 12.7 | 73 | | Anthony Gill | 19 | 3.8 | 48 |
| Jamir Watkins | 17 | 13.4 | 29 | | Keshon Gilbert | 3 | 16.0 | 8 |
Richmond’s eye-popping PPA is the result of a tiny sample size - one game, six minutes. Beyond that, Hardy showed some flashes, and Labissiere brought veteran stability in short spurts. But let’s be honest: this group is mostly about filling minutes and giving the coaching staff a look at potential long-term depth.
Departed Players: Before and After
Here’s how a few recently traded players performed with Washington compared to their new teams:
- CJ McCollum: 113 (Wizards) → 91 (New team)
- Marvin Bagley III: 103 → 130
- Khris Middleton: 83 → 99
- Corey Kispert: 79 → 76
- AJ Johnson: 0 → -98
The Bagley bump is notable - he’s thriving in a new system. Middleton’s uptick is modest but encouraging.
McCollum’s dip suggests he’s still adjusting. And AJ Johnson?
Well, that’s a rough start.
Bottom Line: Progress, Pain, and Patience
This season was never about wins. It’s about growth, evaluation, and setting the table for the future. The Wizards are leaning into that vision - sometimes aggressively - and while the product on the floor can be tough to watch, there are signs of development if you know where to look.
Alex Sarr is logging valuable reps as a defensive anchor. Young guards like Carrington and Johnson are learning on the fly. And guys like Champagnie and Riley are making quiet cases for bigger roles.
The numbers may still be ugly. The losses may keep piling up. But in a season defined by patience and perspective, the Wizards are doing exactly what they set out to do: build for what comes next.