INGLEWOOD - The Washington Wizards are showing up at All-Star Weekend with energy, youth, and promise - but still no All-Stars. That’s the reality for a franchise in the thick of a rebuild, still searching for its cornerstone.
The ultimate goal? Develop a homegrown star who can anchor the team the way Kevin Durant has done throughout his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Durant, now 37, earned his 16th All-Star selection this season - a staggering number that speaks not just to his talent, but to his staying power. Wizards wing Kyshawn George, who was born in 2003 - the same year LeBron James was drafted - called Durant the toughest player to guard in the league. That kind of respect, coming from one of the Wizards’ most promising young players, shows just how far ahead Durant still is, even after nearly two decades in the league.
George is part of a trio of Wizards prospects representing the team at All-Star Weekend. He’ll suit up for Team Vince (as in Vince Carter) in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night.
Joining him are Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington, who’ll play for Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady). Carrington was a late addition, stepping in for Alex Sarr, who’s sidelined with a hamstring injury.
This young Wizards core - affectionately dubbed the “Wiz Kids” - has shown flashes of real potential. George, in particular, looks like the most well-rounded of the bunch.
He’s averaging 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 44.1% from the field and a strong 37.7% from beyond the arc. He’s also contributing on the defensive end with two combined steals and blocks per game, all in just over 30 minutes a night.
Carrington and Johnson have been lighting it up from deep as well, shooting 39.3% and 38.6% from three, respectively. Meanwhile, Sarr has been a force in the paint, tied for second in the NBA with two blocks per game. He’s also putting up 17.2 points per contest on nearly 50% shooting - and he’s doing it without the benefit of a true point guard setting the table.
Still, as encouraging as those numbers are, the Wizards know that development alone won’t get them to the mountaintop. What they need - what every team needs - is a franchise player.
A perennial All-NBA talent. Someone who can not only carry the load but elevate everyone around him.
Someone like Durant.
And make no mistake: Durant is still doing it. Through 36.7 minutes per game this season, he’s averaging 25.8 points on 50.6% shooting from the field and 40.3% from three - numbers that are actually above his career averages in a couple of key areas.
That kind of production, at his age, is nearly unheard of. He’s not just hanging on; he’s still elite.
Durant’s blend of size and skill remains one of one. At seven feet tall in sneakers, he moves like a guard, shoots like a sniper, and scores at all three levels.
The Wizards don’t need to find the next Durant - because there probably isn’t one. But they do need a Durant - a foundational talent who can be the face of the franchise for years to come.
Could George become that guy? Maybe.
Could it be Carrington or Sarr? Possibly.
But right now, there are more questions than answers. And while the recent additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis bring a much-needed dose of star power, there’s uncertainty around how long either will be in D.C.
They might help the team win next season, but they’re not guaranteed long-term solutions.
That’s why this summer’s NBA Draft looms large. It’s shaping up to be one of the most important in franchise history. With prospects like Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer all projecting as potential franchise-changers, landing a top-three pick in May’s lottery could alter the Wizards’ trajectory overnight.
The blueprint is out there. Just look at the Houston Rockets.
They’re fourth in the West at 33-20, led by Durant but bolstered by a rising star core. Alperen Sengun is putting up 20.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists a night.
Amen Thompson is doing a bit of everything with 17.6 points, 7.6 boards, and 5.4 dimes. Add in Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard - both stepping up in big ways - and you’ve got a young, dynamic team built to compete now and in the future.
Washington’s version of that team might be a few years younger, and their centerpiece likely hasn’t arrived yet. But between their current young core, the veteran presence of Young and Davis, and a high lottery pick on the horizon, the pieces are starting to line up.
For now, though, it’s about enjoying the moment. All-Star Weekend in Inglewood is a chance for these young Wizards to showcase their talent on a national stage, soak in the experience, and keep building toward something bigger. The season wraps up April 12 in Cleveland, and the Draft Lottery follows on May 10.
The rebuild isn’t over - not until Washington finds its own All-NBA anchor. But the foundation is being laid. And if things break right, the Wizards might not be searching much longer.