Wizards Rookies Dealt Encouraging Grade Despite Ugly Start

The Washington Wizards are sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 1-7 record. Their only win came against the Dallas Mavericks in the second game. The team has been particularly awful in the second quarter in the last few games, giving away massive advantages. 

The Wizards committed to rebuilding around youth during the 2025 NBA Draft, and through the first two weeks of the season, their rookie class has delivered mixed messages about the franchise's future. 

Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz recently assessed the team's three draft picks and dealt a B grade to the Wizards’ rookie class. 

“No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson has been as advertised thus far, as his 12.3 points per game rank seventh among rookies and fifth overall on the Washington Wizards. If not for Kyshawn George's breakout, we'd be talking about Johnson becoming a starter already,” Swatz wrote.

“As long as Johnson pops this season and Riley looks like a rotation piece moving forward, this will be considered a successful draft for Washington.”

Wizards’ Rookies Off to Promising Start

No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson has been the most impactful of the three rookies through the early season. He has established himself as a legitimate scoring threat in Washington's backcourt. The 19-year-old guard is averaging 11.6 points per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line. He has posted double-figure points in six of his first eight games, recording a high of 17 points against Dallas on October 25.