The Washington Wizards’ trade for Deandre Ayton may have changed the look of their frontcourt, but it did not change the basic answer to the team’s biggest center question: Alex Sarr is still the guy.
Washington sent Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks to get Ayton, a move that could give Anthony Davis the center he has wanted to play next to. But if Davis is a 4, as the source material frames it, then the Wizards still have their best center in Sarr.
That’s the part that matters in Washington. Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has already become one of the few real bright spots for a team that has needed them. He has brought defensive energy that has stood out even when the rest of the roster has not matched it, and his offensive growth has been real enough to suggest his third NBA season could be his strongest yet.
The age gap only sharpens the point. Ayton is soon to be 28, while Sarr is 21.
But this is not just about timeline or upside. The case for Sarr is that he is already the better player, now and going forward.
The numbers back that up. In his rookie season in 2024-25, Sarr averaged 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 offensive rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 1.6 made three-pointers in 27.1 minutes per game. He did it while shooting .394/.308/.679.
In 2025-26, with only 0.1 more minutes per game, he jumped to 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 offensive rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 made three-pointer per game, while shooting .482/.333/.692.
That is a meaningful leap in almost every direction. Sarr added 3.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.3 offensive boards, 0.3 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.1 steals per game. His field goal percentage rose by 8.8 percent, his three-point percentage improved by 2.5 percent, and his free-throw percentage climbed by 1.3 percent.
Just as important, he did it without giving back more in the areas that often trip up young bigs. His turnovers stayed at 1.7 per game, and his personal fouls remained at 2.2.
Ayton still brings value, especially with Davis beside him. But the contrast in defensive consistency is hard to miss.
Sarr ranked No. 2 in the NBA in blocks per game and forced opponents to shoot 5.9 percent worse from within 10 feet of the rim. Ayton averaged half as many blocks and saw opponents shoot 3.4 percent better at the rim.
Sarr also gives Washington more as a spacer. He has hit 155 threes through two seasons, while Ayton has made 28 in eight years. Even on a per-36-minute basis in 2025-26, Sarr outpaced Ayton by 5.1 points, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.4 made three-pointers.
So if Washington is trying to develop talent, keep the floor open, defend with purpose, and create offense from different spots, the answer stays the same. Alex Sarr is the Wizards’ best center.
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Grizzlies Suddenly Make Sense For A Lakers Guard Seeking More
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The Lakers have since kept Knecht in trade conversations, which keeps the door open on a move before long. Around the league, the appeal is obvious: a player with some offensive upside who may simply need a different environment and a little more freedom to grow. If Los Angeles decides to make a change, the next step could come quickly, especially with other roster ideas already floating around in the background. [Read more 🡒]