The Washington Wizards Are In Desperate Need Of A Superstar

The question that keeps circling the Washington Wizards rebuild is simple, but daunting, who is the face of the franchise moving forward?

Is it Alex Sarr? Will Riley? Tre Johnson? Or is that player not even on the roster yet?

Every true championship contender has an answer. When there are 10 seconds left in Game 7, you give the ball to your franchise player and have him decide your fate. For Washington, that player may not exist within the roster yet. What the roster does have is a collection of intriguing pieces, players who project as strong second or third options on a good team, or possibly even the number one option moving forward, but the Wizards will have a much clearer picture about this next year. 

Under GM Will Dawkins and president Michael Winger, the messaging has been resoundingly clear, this is no longer about chasing play-in appearances like the Bradley Beal dark ages. The goal is sustainable contention, deep playoff success, with a surging development system in place with the hopes of hitting the jackpot and developing a home grown superstar that is a prerequisite to be championship contender in the NBA. History backs that up as recent champions led by players like Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all had one thing in common: a top 10 player in the NBA.

That’s what makes the potential decision at No. 2 so intriguing.

If both Caleb Wilson and Darryn Peterson are on the board, the “safe” or “favorite” pick might be Wilson or Cam Boozer, both of which are a perfect frontcourt fit next to Alex Sarr. But team-building isn’t about fit or need at the top of the draft. It’s about ceiling.

Peterson offers something Washington desperately lacks, legitimate superstar upside. Early May reports have already begun easing concerns about his health and mentality. Scouts describe him as a “serious worker,” and executives don’t appear overly concerned about his injury fiasco that he endured last year at Kansas. Talent has never been the question with Darryn Peterson and that may be the swing the Wizards may have to take come June.

Look around the current playoff landscape. Teams led by Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Donovan Mitchell, and SGA should signify the imperative need of superstar talent needed to be taken seriously in the NBA. 

However, to calm the nerves of the average tormented Wizards fan, like myself, stars can be found anywhere. Jokic was a second-round pick. Curry went seventh in 2009. Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted 11th in 2018. If Dawkins believes Peterson can be that guy, the decision shouldn’t be complicated.