Wizards Just Drew A Clear Line Around Their Young Core

The Wizards strategically secure their future by locking in key draft prospects with exercised team options, reinforcing their commitment to player development.

The Wizards have locked in their next wave of young talent, picking up rookie scale team options on five first-rounders from the 2024 and 2025 drafts, the team announced in a press release.

Those option decisions set the players’ salaries for 2027/28 as follows: Alex Sarr at $15,611,798 for his fourth year, Tre Johnson at $9,061,680 for his third year, Bub Carrington at $7,257,729 for his fourth year, Kyshawn George at $5,435,892 for his fourth year, and Will Riley at $3,864,000 for his third year.

All five were already on guaranteed deals this season. With the fourth-year options now exercised, Sarr, Carrington and George will be eligible for rookie scale extensions next offseason.

Sarr, the No. 2 pick in 2024, has gotten off to a quiet start in his third season. Through six games, he’s averaging 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 block while shooting .524/.250/.727 in 25.3 minutes per night. Last season, he put up 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks across 48 games, playing 27.2 minutes a game, though the Wizards weren’t exactly all out to win.

Carrington spent his first two seasons as a part-time starter, posting 10.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds on .412/.374/.765 shooting over 164 regular season games while averaging 28.8 minutes. This year, he’s been the primary backup point guard to Trae Young, and in six games he has averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 assists and 1.5 rebounds on .387/.458/1.000 shooting in 19.7 minutes per contest.

George, a Swiss-Canadian wing, is considered the most intriguing prospect in the group. The 6-foot-8 guard/forward had a mini-breakout in 2025/26 and has produced similar numbers so far in 2026/27.

Johnson, the No. 6 pick in last year’s draft, and Riley, selected 21st in 2025, both had rotation roles as rookies last season. Johnson has continued in that role in year two, while Riley has mostly been buried on the depth chart as the Wizards try to be more competitive. Justin Champagnie’s recent foot injury could create an opening for Riley to pick up more minutes.

Washington has until November 1, 2027 to decide on the fourth-year options for Johnson and Riley.

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