2026-27 Season Preview: Washington Wizards

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George are part of a young Wizards core looking to take the next step.

Offseason Recap

•

Last Season

: 17-65 (15th in East, missed postseason)

• Key Additions

: Deandre Ayton, AJ Dybantsa, Tre Mann, Khris Middleton, Felix Okpara

Every Wizards move this offseason

Season Outlook

It’s time for the Wizards to start showing progress in their rebuild after winning 17, 18 and 15 games in each of the past three seasons. The Southeast Division and Eastern Conference are deep, but with a mix of veterans who have playoff experience and young talent accumulated in the draft and through trades, the Wizards should yield an increase in their win total over last season. Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton are the vets – all of whom have played in the conference finals or NBA Finals, with Davis and Middleton winning championships. Young played in just five games for the Wizards last season after Atlanta traded him, and Davis didn’t play a game for the Wizards after coming over from Dallas.

The Wizards will use this season to learn what other young players are capable of, and there is reason for optimism with Alex Sarr, Dybantsa, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Will Riley. George, the No. 24 selection

in 2024

who averaged 14.8 points and shot 38.1% on 3s last season, and Johnson, the No. 6 pick

in 2025

who averaged 12.2 points and shot 35.8% on 3s last season, are generating buzz with their offseason workouts.

Breakout Candidate: Alex Sarr

Sarr made a jump from his rookie season in 2024-25 to his second season in 2025-26. Is there room for Sarr to make another leap from the 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks per game and 48.2% shooting from the field and 33.3% on 3-pointers he posted last season? There is.

The 7-foot Sarr will benefit from Young at point guard and improved shooting from teammates on the perimeter. Because the Wizards are deeper this season, one part of Sarr’s game to watch is his efficiency. There might not be a large increase in points per game because of that depth and increased opportunities for other players, but better shooting percentages are key for the 21-year-old Frenchman. Sarr had surgery in June for

a fracture in his right foot

, but is expected to be ready for the season.

1 Number To Know

55%

— Last season, the Wizards led the league in the percentage of their minutes (55%) that came from rookies or second-year players. They ranked sixth in the percentage (23%) that came from rookies and first in the percentage (32%) that came from second-year guys.

In addition to having Young and Davis together for the first time, the Wizards have the potential for lots of improvement from within. George, Sarr and Carrington made improvements in their second season and should continue to develop. Johnson and Riley, meanwhile, have a season under their belt and should be better in their second year.

— John Schuhmann

5 Must-See Matchups

• Oct. 21: Bucks vs. Wizards —

In the season opener, it’s the first look at the Wizards’ reshaped roster with Young and Davis on the court, and it’s Dybantsa’s NBA debut.

Nov. 6: Wizards vs. Hawks —

Young returns to play in Atlanta for the first time since

the Hawks traded him

to the Wizards. Young spent seven-plus seasons with Atlanta, where he was a four-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA performer and helped the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

Jan. 1: Spurs vs. Wizards —

It’s a French renaissance for this game featuring three internationals: the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, as well as Washington’s Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly. American twins Julian (Spurs) and Justin (Wizards) Champagnie will also face off.

Feb. 17: Heat vs. Wizards —

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat visit Washington in this game just before the All-Star break, and by this point in the season, the Wizards will know what kind of improvement they’re making.

April 2: 76ers vs. Wizards —

With just more than a week left in the regular season, the 76ers and their loaded starting five featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James visit Washington. It ends a five-game home stretch for the Wizards.

>

Complete Regular Season Schedule

Preseason Storylines

The Wizards have serious competition for playing time with wings, and that also gives head coach Brian Keefe options – from the rookie Dybantsa to the 15-year veteran Middleton. With the No. 1 pick in the

2026 NBA Draft

, the Wizards made Dybantsa

a big part of the present

and future, but he will have to produce, too, and learn from a pro’s pro.

Add George, Coulibaly, Riley and Champagnie to the mix, and the wing position is worth watching in the preseason. George, Coulibaly, Riley and Middleton all averaged at least 10 points last season, and Champagnie was close at 8.7 points per game. Three-point shooting and defensive capability will help shape the rotation at the wing.

Complete Preseason Schedule

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Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at

jzillgitt@nba.com

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