Five Keys to the Washington Wizards Success in 2026-27

The Washington Wizards enter this season with something they haven’t had in a while, say it with me, legitimate expectations! However, the expectations don’t necessarily come with dire consequences, after all, it is a transitional year, as noted by Will Dawkins. Nonetheless, talent alone isn't going to get Washington into playoff conversation. For the Wizards to take that next step, five things need to go their way.

This is easily one of the biggest and most obvious concerns. Anthony Davis has played only 71 games over the past two seasons, 20 last year and 51 the year before. We don't necessarily need 76 games like Davis played in 2023–24, but if Washington can get 60 plus games from AD, that could prove to be a complete game changer. 

The same applies to Alex Sarr although I am much more confident in Sarr’s ability to stay healthy. He played only 48 games last season and is now recovering from a broken foot. Will Sarr be on a minutes restriction to start off the season? Sarr played 67 games as a rookie, and getting him somewhere around that number again would be a major win.

Tre Johnson played 60 games as a rookie, but after February he dealt with a significant minutes restriction because of his hip flexor injury and other multitude of injuries. On the other hand, Bilal Coulibaly has played more than 60 games only once through his first three seasons.

Trae Young played only 15 games last season, although I am much more bullish in his ability to stay healthy this year. In the seven seasons before last year, Young played fewer than 60 games only once. 

The Wizards don't need perfect health. They just can't have their core constantly unavailable.

Sarr's three-point shot could completely change Washington's offense for the better. He doesn't need to become an elite shooter. If he can simply become a reliable 35–37% three-point shooter, opposing centers can no longer leave him alone and camp around the basket.

That's especially important considering Anthony Davis has shot 29.5% from three throughout his career on only 1.6 attempts per game, while AJ Dybantsa shot around 33% at BYU. If Sarr doesn't improve, Washington could potentially have three questionable shooters sharing the floor with Trae Young and Kyshawn George in their possible starting unit. If Sarr becomes respected outside, everything changes. He can roll to the basket, slip screens or pop for three. It will also create driving lanes for Trae, AJ and Washington's other young core players.

Sarr doesn't need to morph into Dirk Nowitzki. He just needs defenses to think twice about leaving him open.

The key word here is little.

Trae Young should still be Washington's primary point guard. You don't acquire one of the NBA's best playmakers and suddenly turn him into a movement shooter. But Will Dawkins has discussed Trae playing more off ball because of Washington’s current roster construction, primarily with the arrival of AJ Dybantsa. In short, AJ Dybantsa needs the basketball. AJ isn't a spot up shooter, he’s most effective when the ball is in his hands. He's a potential franchise player whose development depends on getting opportunities to create offense for himself and others.

The same applies to Kyshawn George. George developed into a legitimate point forward last season, averaging 4.5 assists while carrying a significant offensive role. If Washington wants him to eventually become a secondary ball handler after the Trae Young era, those reps have to continue.

Will Riley has shown similar point forward potential, while Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson also need opportunities to develop as decision makers. We already saw Trae adjust in Washington. His usage rate fell to roughly 26% during his five games with the Wizards, considerably below his career norms. 

Washington simply cannot finish at the bottom of the NBA defensively again. The Wizards finished 30th in defensive rating last season, and that has to change if this team seriously expects to compete for the playoffs next season.

The good news is that their defensive personnel should be astronomically better. A healthy Anthony Davis gives Washington another elite defensive anchor. Sarr provides length and rim protection as well. George and Coulibaly give them size on the perimeter, while Dybantsa has the physical tools to eventually become a quality on ball defender, as noted by his solid defensive outing in the Summer League. Players aside, the coaching staff must improve in this department as well. They have to establish an identity where defensive mistakes matter, players communicate, rotations are sharper and Washington consistently finishes possessions. The addition of Steve Clifford as a coaching advisor could be a sneaky addition as he has a solid reputation for helping teams have a defensive turnaround.

This might be the most overlooked key. Sarr is 7 feet tall with tremendous defensive tools, but he has to become more physical. He needs to establish position earlier, put bodies on opposing bigs and secure contested rebounds rather than simply relying on his length and athleticism. 

Washington's young guards and wings need to get stronger and more physical as well. They need to fight over screens, bump cutters and prevent easy straight line drives. Physicality matters offensively as well. Washington needs more players willing to consistently attack the basket and absorb contact instead of settling for jumpers.

That's important because outside of Trae, this roster still has questions when it comes to guards consistently creating rim pressure. Ultimately, Washington just can’t trot out as the more talented team, they must also become tougher to play against.