NFL
By: Courtney Byrd
For the past few seasons, Washington Wizards fans have watched young players develop while looking toward the next draft. That is still part of the team’s future, but it is no longer the entire story. As training camp begins, the Wizards have Anthony Davis, Trae Young and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa on a roster that should be capable of more than the 17 wins it produced last season.
The three headline names have yet to play together in a regular-season game. Young appeared in only five games for Washington after arriving from Atlanta last season, and Davis did not play for the Wizards after being traded from Dallas. Dybantsa is preparing for his rookie year. Their first full season together gives Washington plenty to be excited about, along with questions that training camp will begin to answer.
Davis and Young Change What Washington Can Ask of Its Young Core
Adding established stars gives the Wizards something their recent rebuilding teams lacked: veterans who can lead the offense while younger players grow into larger roles. Young’s passing should create easier looks for Washington’s frontcourt, while Davis brings scoring, rebounding, and a defensive presence when healthy.
Their arrival also changes the expectations for the players already in Washington. Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley have spent much of their early careers learning through heavy minutes and difficult losses. This season, their development can be measured by how well they contribute to a team trying to win more consistently.
That does not mean every young player will have the same opportunities as last year. Head coach Brian Keefe has a deeper roster and more competition for minutes. At Media Day, he said the team would use the preseason to determine which combinations work best together.
Davis also enters the season with a decision about his future still ahead. He said Monday that he plans to play out the season before revisiting contract extension discussions. For now, his focus is on showing what he can do with this group. Washington has not yet seen him on the court in a Wizards uniform during a regular-season game.
Dybantsa Gets a Different Start Than Most No. 1 Picks
Dybantsa arrives with the attention that follows a No. 1 draft pick, but he will not have to create every scoring chance on his own. Young can run the offense, Davis can draw attention inside, and the Wizards have other young players who can contribute around them. That support could give Dybantsa room to adjust to the NBA while still playing a meaningful role right away.
At Media Day, Dybantsa spoke about learning from teammates who have been All-Stars and champions. His situation is unusual for a top pick. He joins a team coming off a 17-win season, yet he will share the floor with accomplished veterans from the beginning of his career.
The challenge for Washington is to make that combination work. Dybantsa’s scoring ability is a major reason the Wizards drafted him, and he will need chances to handle the ball and make plays. Young and Davis need touches, too. Keefe’s task is to help all three find a rhythm without slowing the growth of the rest of the roster.
For fans who have waited years for a young player to build around, Dybantsa brings real excitement. The first few months should also show how Washington plans to develop him alongside players who can help the team compete now.
Keefe Has More Options and Tougher Rotation Decisions
One of the biggest questions in camp is how Washington will fill out its starting lineup and divide minutes across the wings. George and Coulibaly have experience in Keefe’s system, while Johnson and Riley are looking to build on their rookie seasons. Khris Middleton adds another veteran option, and Dybantsa figures to command a significant role.
The frontcourt has decisions of its own. Sarr is working back from surgery on his right foot and expects to take part in camp drills, though he is holding off on live work initially. How he and Davis play together will be worth watching. Deandre Ayton gives Washington another experienced center and has indicated that he is willing to take on the role Keefe needs from him.
Depth is a welcome change, but it only helps if the pieces fit. Washington needs enough shooting around Young and Davis, reliable defense from its perimeter players, and a rotation that gives its young core space to improve. Preseason games will give Keefe his first chance to test those combinations against another team.
What Progress Should Look Like This Season
The Wizards do not need to settle every question in training camp. They do need to begin showing that the roster they have assembled can play competitive basketball. After winning 17 games last season, a clear step forward would mean more consistent performances, defined roles, and young players contributing to wins.
Washington opens its preseason on Oct. 8 against the New York Knicks and begins the regular season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21. Those games will offer the first look at how the new lineup works when the results count.
For the first time in a while, Wizards fans can look ahead to the season with more to watch than draft position. Davis and Young give Washington proven talent, Dybantsa gives it a potential centerpiece, and the returning young players have a chance to grow with both. Training camp is where Keefe begins turning those possibilities into a team.
