Evaluating how Tre Johnson, the first rookie drafted by the Washington Wizards last year, fared in 2025-26
The pure sharpshooting archetype is becoming a dying breed in the modern day NBA, as teams are valuing athleticism and defensive versatility more. Players like Luke Kennard and Corey Kispert have had successful careers due to their elite shooting ability, however their celling as players are capped off since they don't defend and can't create their own shot at a high level.
However, Washington Wizards rookie Tre Johnson is a representation of a pure shooter, while possessing superstar upside due to his shot making ability.
While Johnson's rookie campaign was quite the roller coaster, he displayed flashes of his scoring potential, thus pointing us to believe that Johnson could be a high volume scoring threat for Washington going forward.
Johnson, 20, was drafted out of the University of Texas, and Washington immediately fell in love with his scoring prowess.
It didn't take long for Johnson to impress with his knockdown shooting and impressive scoring ability, as he scored 16 points on 5/11 FG and 4/8 from 3FG in the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Johnson would start his NBA career strongly, but was hit with the injury bug as he dealt with a left hip flexor strain that sidelined him from late November to mid December.
However, when Johnson would return on December 12, 2025, he picked up right where he left off. Johnson would average 13.2 points per game 46.5% FG and 44.2% 3FG in ten games. However, Johnson would have the best month of his young career in January, as he averaged 14.3 points on 43% FG in 14 games played. Additionally, the month of January is when Johnson set his career high in points with 26 against the Charlotte Hornets, as he shot 8/22 FG and 6/15 3FG.
"That is really hard to do, what he's doing.," Keefe said in January. "He's shooting in the 40s as a rookie from the three-point line. That is not common. This shows you the work he's done in his life to get to this point."
It was extremely encouraging to see Johnson fire on all cylinders, however, the second have of the season was a different story.
Johnson would struggle in the post all star break portion of the season, as he only averaged 10.9 points a game on very poor 37.9% FG and 29.7% 3FG -- not very Tre Johnson like.
Though he did become the youngest Wizard in franchise history to reach 100 made threes, doing so in 59 games, the rookie would struggle to hit shots, especially from beyond the arc which came as a surprise to people due to his stellar shooting ability that dates back to college.
Unfortunately, Johnson would suffer a right foot sprain in April, sidelining him for the final five games of the regular season.
While Johnson displayed his ability to be a tough shot maker and efficient scorer, it's hard to ignore the type of player he would become when he ISN'T making shots. Injuries got in the way of a fully healthy rookie year, as Johnson only played in 60/82 games this season.
There's no denying that the sky is the limit for Johnson, and by playing alongside Trae Young next season, the sharpshooter could breakout in a big way.