The Washington Wizards are expected to have a key piece available when the regular season begins as Alex Sarr continues his recovery
The Washington Wizards will open training camp on Sept. 29 as head coach Brian Keefe and the new look team host media day next week before the offseason officially shifts to preseason developments. Yet one key piece will at least be available once training camp officially begins.
General manager Will Dawkins noted during his preseason press conference on Thursday that center Alex Sarr is expected to be a limited participant at the start of training camp. Sarr is expected to be ready by opening night when the Washington Wizards host the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21.
It marks an encouraging development for Sarr, who revealed earlier in the month that he was out of a walking boot and progressing in his recovery. The team previously announced that Sarr underwent a successful surgery back in mid-June for a fracture in his right foot after suffering an injury during offseason workouts, while ESPN's Shams Charania reported it happened on a contact play the week prior to the team's announcement.
The former second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sarr blossomed into a star in year two with the Wizards after improving every major statistical category and averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and two blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field and 33.3% from three. Yet his season was cut to just 48 games after battling through multiple injuries before being shut down, though he showed enough to prove his year two development.
With defense expected to be an area of improvement in year three under head coach Brian Keefe, Sarr is expected to be a focal point in the Wizards' frontcourt in 2026-27 alongside Anthony Davis with veteran Deandre Ayton anchoring the rotation. In addition to re-signing both Tristan Vukcevic and Anthony Gill, the Wizards also acquired the draft rights to Felix Okpara during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft before inking him to a two-way deal, one of two players currently filling the three allotted two-way spots. Justin Champagnie, meanwhile, returns on year three of his four year deal to add versatility to the rotation and as part of a roster that general manager Will Dawkins views as deeper ahead of the 2026-27 regular season.
The Wizards are set to open the four game preseason slate on Oct. 8 when they travel to New York to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden before opening night on Oct. 21.
