Biggest Washington Wizards overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League

A Summer League record-breaking eight-block night will turn heads in any context. Alex Sarr, the Wizards’ 2024 No. 2 overall pick, stuffed the box score in spectacular fashion, finishing a win over the Nets with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and those eye-popping eight swats. Social media was quick to declare Sarr an elite rim protector destined for NBA defensive awards. Is it fair to assume the leap from a monster Summer League showing to DPOY contention is imminent?

Not quite. Sarr’s length and defensive instincts are legitimate, and what he did in Las Vegas points to real upside. However, Summer League competition rarely simulates the ferocity or complexity of regular-season NBA defenses. Rim protection in these exhibitions is a step removed from nightly matchups against the league’s best scorers and sophisticated pick-and-roll attacks. Sarr struggled with fouls and consistency in his rookie campaign, and there will be a learning curve as teams adjust to his presence. While his ceiling is tantalizing, coronating him as an instant Defensive Player of the Year threat is a classic July overreaction.

Tre Johnson’s Scoring Means He’s the Wizards’ New Go-To Guy

Washington fans needed only a couple of Summer League games to start talking about rookie Tre Johnson as the franchise’s next primary scorer. Johnson lived up to his lottery-pick billing, dropping 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting against Brooklyn and showing plenty of poise on the ball. There’s understandable excitement about his offensive polish—his jumper looked smooth, he played with confidence, and he showed flashes of shot creation from all three levels.

But it’s a reach to pencil him in as the Wizards’ new offensive engine from day one. Summer League defenses offer little resistance compared to the rotations and scouting he’ll see from real NBA starters. Johnson’s shooting touch is real, but he’s still learning the finer details of spacing, off-ball movement, and game management. Defenses will key in on him much more intensely come October. While his performance gives hope for long-term impact, Washington still has established young pieces like Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George who will share touches and playmaking. Crowning Johnson as “the guy” before he’s navigated an NBA season is getting ahead of the developmental curve.

A 1-1 Start Is a Red Flag for the Wizards’ Rebuild

Whenever a young, rebuilding team stumbles in Summer League, even briefly, it’s easy to conflate those results with a foreboding sign for the regular season. The Wizards’ opening loss to the Suns (103-84) featured breakdowns on both ends and some rough turnovers. Even after a bounce-back victory against the Nets, some have worried that these growing pains foreshadow another long year in D.C.

Perspective is critical. The Summer League’s experimental rosters and makeshift rotations don’t reflect what the regular season will bring, especially for rebuilding squads prioritizing development over wins. The Wizards fielded a lineup stacked with recent draft picks, seven in the past two years alone, as well as G League hopefuls and undrafted prospects auditioning for roles. Most of the key contributors are in their first or second pro seasons, and they’re encouraged to take risks and make mistakes. Summer League records and short-term slumps are poor predictors of meaningful NBA progress. The real value lies in the flashes shown by core players and the adaptability of the young roster, not the scoreboard in July.

Washington’s Summer League experience served up plenty of moments for overzealous interpretations. Ultimately, these July games are best viewed as developmental snapshots, not declarations about the season to come. The Wizards’ youth movement remains loaded with intrigue, and the franchise’s most important steps will be taken far from the bright lights of Las Vegas.