What Bub Carrington's Role Could Look Like in a Trae Young-Led Wizards Backcourt
When the Washington Wizards pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to bring in Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this month, it sent a clear signal: the rebuild is entering its next phase. Out went veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, and in came a four-time All-Star with elite playmaking chops. But with Young sidelined until after the All-Star break due to knee and quad injuries, the focus remains on Washington’s young core - and how they’ll eventually fit alongside their new star.
That starts with Bub Carrington.
Carrington, now in his second season, has been at the heart of the Wizards’ developmental focus. He earned Rising Star and Second-Team All-Rookie honors last year after stepping into a lead guard role as a 19-year-old.
This season, he’s had his share of growing pains, but also real flashes of growth. After a slow start in November, Carrington doubled his scoring average in December - jumping from 6.3 to 13.7 points per game - while improving his field goal percentage by nearly 10 points, from 36.6% to 45.3%.
Since December 1, he’s posted a 3.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio in 10 of 24 games, showing sharper decision-making and better control of the offense.
And he’s been durable. On Monday, Carrington became just the eighth player in NBA history to tally 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists before turning 21, according to Wizards PR.
That’s a testament not only to his availability - he’s logging major minutes - but also to the trust the coaching staff has placed in him to run the show. Not many 20-year-olds get this kind of leash in the league.
But with Young set to return post-All-Star break, Carrington’s role is poised to shift. A league scout recently shared thoughts on how the new backcourt dynamic could unfold.
According to the scout, Young’s presence will benefit big man Alex Sarr the most, especially in pick-and-roll situations. Kyshawn George, another promising young piece, might see a slight dip in ball-handling duties.
As for Carrington, the scout sees him as the one most likely to be impacted long-term - especially next season, when Young is fully integrated into the lineup.
While Carrington will continue to see heavy minutes while Young recovers, the writing on the wall suggests a move to a sixth-man role once the roster is healthy. That’s not necessarily a knock - in fact, it might be the perfect fit for him.
At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Carrington brings combo guard versatility, and with a full season of starter reps under his belt, he’s got the experience to anchor a second unit. If he embraces that role, he could become one of the league’s more dynamic bench contributors.
The context here matters. The Wizards have spent the past two seasons prioritizing development over wins.
That approach gave Carrington the runway to grow, but next year, the expectations shift. ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently told the “All Wizards Talk” podcast that the franchise knows it needs to start winning next season - or face potential changes at the top.
That means the days of letting young players play through mistakes for 30 minutes a night may be numbered.
If winning is the goal, Young is the guy to lead the charge. He led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season and is a true floor general - something the Wizards haven’t had in years.
Plugging him into the starting point guard role is a no-brainer. And with sharpshooting rookie Tre Johnson emerging as a legit scoring threat - he’s on pace to become the first rookie ever to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the line - the starting backcourt could be set.
That leaves Carrington as the odd man out in the starting five. But again, that doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture.
His development, production, and poise at a young age have positioned him as a key piece of Washington’s long-term puzzle - even if it’s off the bench. The Wizards still have time to experiment with rotations once Young returns this season, and that will serve as a preview of what’s to come in 2026-27.
Washington is still in the “foundation” phase of its rebuild, according to GM Will Dawkins, who outlined a four-step plan: deconstruction, foundation, build-up, and fortification. The team has already torn things down - moving on from Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija, and Kyle Kuzma - and is now focused on developing its young core: Carrington, Johnson, Sarr, George, and Bilal Coulibaly.
Acquiring Young ahead of the February 5 trade deadline signals the beginning of the “build-up” stage. That means shifting from development-first to win-now decisions. Carrington’s growth during the foundation phase gives him a strong case to remain a key contributor during the next step - whether he’s starting or leading the second unit.
Bottom line: Carrington’s role may change, but his importance to the Wizards’ future hasn’t. If he thrives as a sixth man and complements Young’s playmaking with scoring and stability off the bench, he’ll prove he belongs in Washington’s long-term vision. The rebuild is evolving - and Carrington has a chance to evolve with it.