Young Core Raising Excitement for Wizards' Future

Staples of Future Success

George and Johnson early season performances have separated them as the premier talents in Washington's young core. Both men possess high end scoring and creation upside, proving the ability to lead Washington to victory. George in particular has seemingly taken a huge step forward heading into his second season, anchoring and leading a potent Wizards offense early on. Johnson has also found away to make his impact felt, constantly being aggressive as a scorer commanding the respect of defenders.

Beyond the dynamic duo of George and Johnson, other Wizards have stood out and made their mark as well.

Although Alex Sarr’s numbers haven't been eye popping, he has still shown promising development thus far. Sarr has been far more willing to operate near the rim, settling for far fewer jumpers than his rookie season. Sarr still has some work to do on both ends of the floor in order to reach his max potential, but thus far he has taken steps in the right direction. 

Rising Young Stars

Other young Wizards who have drawn intrigue this season are Cam Whitmore, Bub Carrington and Will Riley.

Whitmore has proven to be a force off the bench for Washington — asserting himself as a scorer and impacting the game as a defender. Carrington has drawn a bit of concern regarding his lack of lead guard skills. However, Carrington has still been able to impact games by playing hard and aggressive, asserting himself as a secondary initiator. Riley is the least proven of the group, but through his limited minutes he has flashed an extensive skillset that will only develop with time. 

Best of the Rest

Tristan Vuckevic and AJ Johnson are two guys who haven't been given much opportunity to shine, but still possess intriguing skillsets. Vuckevic brings intensity on both ends of the floor and pairs it with floor spacing ability, making him a formidable threat. Johnson, on the other hand, brings energy and playmaking that the Wizards need. He still has a long way to go before he is ready to play impactful NBA minutes, but his tools are undeniable. 

The Wizards' fandom has a lot to look forward to. Washington already looks steps ahead of where they were projected to be in their rebuild, and it'll only get better with time. Between flourishing young stars and developing talent, the future of the red, white and blue is in good hands.