The Washington Wizards’ season hasn’t exactly been a highlight reel so far - and that’s putting it gently. Sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings, the team has stumbled out of the gate, and several young players who were expected to take a step forward have instead delivered uneven starts. But even in a season full of growing pains, there are glimmers of hope - and they’re coming from two of the youngest names on the roster.
Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr, both in their sophomore campaigns, have shown real signs of development. George has quietly made strides, but it’s Sarr who’s turning heads across the league. The 7-footer from France is putting together a breakout season that’s hard to ignore - averaging 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting an efficient 51.5% from the field and a respectable 34.6% from deep.
Sarr’s blend of rim protection and floor spacing is the kind of modern big-man skillset front offices dream about. He’s starting to realize that potential in real time, and the rest of the league is taking notice.
His rise was recently validated by a spot in ESPN’s latest Top 25 Under 25 rankings, where he landed at No. 22.
As ESPN’s Tim Bontemps put it, “There’s a reason being able to protect the rim and space the floor as a big man is such a coveted skill set, and Sarr is beginning to realize some of that potential.”
It’s a well-earned nod for Sarr, and a rare win in what’s been a tough stretch for Washington. But in a twist that feels all too familiar for Wizards fans, even this bright spot comes with a shadow - one cast by a former Wizard who’s now thriving somewhere else.
Deni Avdija, the former ninth overall pick by Washington in the 2020 NBA Draft, has found new life in Portland. Since being traded to the Trail Blazers during the 2024 draft, Avdija has taken a massive leap - the kind that stings when you realize it’s happening in another jersey. ESPN slotted him at No. 15 on the same Top 25 Under 25 list, ahead of Sarr, and the numbers back it up.
Avdija is averaging 25.8 points per game - up from 16.9 last season - while maintaining his efficiency. That’s not just a step forward; it’s a full-on leap into All-Star territory.
Bontemps even noted that Avdija is a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player, and he’s already being talked about as a cornerstone piece for the Blazers’ future. “Avdija already looks like a foundational performer for the Blazers,” Bontemps said.
“If he can continue this production and carry it over to next season, he’ll have fully ascended to a star-level wing.”
That’s the kind of player the Wizards hoped Avdija would become when they drafted him - and the kind of player they no longer have. His breakout has only magnified the missteps that led to his departure.
The fact that he’s now ranked higher than Washington’s current top performer on the same list is a tough pill to swallow. It’s a reminder of what could’ve been - and what still hasn’t quite materialized in D.C.
The Wizards may have found something special in Alex Sarr, and his development is a reason for optimism. But seeing Deni Avdija thrive elsewhere, especially at a higher level, underscores the challenges this franchise continues to face in building - and keeping - top-tier talent. For now, the focus is on nurturing what they have, but the echoes of what they let go are hard to ignore.