What to Know After Week One of Washington Wizards Training Camp

We break down the three main takeaways surrounding the Washington Wizards after one week of training camp and one scrimmage into preseason.

Commitment to Defense is Clear

After ranking at or near the bottom among NBA teams in virtually every defensive category in 2025-26, the Wizards have made clear that improving defensively is a point of emphasis after general manager Will Dawkins made the commitment with head coach Brian Keefe doubling down in post-practice press conferences. Head coach Brian Keefe shied away from highlighting specific player standouts from Saturday's scrimmage, instead pointing to the concepts preached through the first four days of training camp spilling into the game-like atmosphere.

Yet the Wizards know that the personnel and length along the roster will be a clear reason why a defensive turnaround will come to fruition.

"Way bigger. I think that our height and length is going to be a big difference for us," Justin Champagnie said.

The pedigree of Anthony Davis, who ranks second among active players in blocks, also offers lineup versatility and an integral part of the frontcourt alongside Alex Sarr. The dominance on the board that Deandre Ayton offers adds to the frontcourt. Though Trae Young knows he's likely to be the weak link on defense, countering it with effort and positioning, Kyshawn George and Will Riley will look to help crash the board in a team effort to reversing last season's trend after George pointed to the bigger guards on the roster who can become part of the solution in 2026-27.

"You've got to make the first shot because you know you're not getting it back. And it's on us too to lock that paint down," George added.

Keefe also pointed to a different style of implementation for defensive installs on day one of training camp with Saturday's scrimmage showcasing some of the points of emphasis. How that translates into the first preseason game may be the biggest question mark.

Impact of Star Power

With the first week of training camp also offering an opportunity for the new-look team to get comfortable with each other, the impact of both Trae Young and Anthony Davis along the rest of the roster has been a near-constant theme through the first week.

While Keefe pointed to Trae Young's presence as one who makes the game easier for the rest of the roster, Bilal Coulibaly emphasized, "he's always going to find you."

"Sometimes you cut and you think you're not that wide open and he's going to find a way to pass you the ball so you're like 'okay, I've really got to lock in'," Coulibaly said.

It's why Ayton likened the weapons around Young to him being in the "candy shop," though he isn't the only one as Keefe pointed to veteran Anthony Davis as a "blender type of guy" for the roster, projected to start at the four while capable of playing the five to give the coaching staff lineup versatility.

But the arrival of Young and Davis also alleviates the need for AJ Dybantsa to materialize into an instant impact, which is something the top overall pick is already aware of.

"I can kind of ease my way into it and learn how to play the right way," Dybantsa added.

Health & Injury Updates

With Anthony Davis and Trae Young full participants so far, the Wizards have a handful of other notable absences to begin October.

Alex Sarr is expected to return to contact this week, though his status for Thursday's preseason opener is unclear. Veteran Khris Middleton is also ramping up and was inactive in Saturday's scrimmage. Both Sarr and Middleton are expected to meet with media following Monday's training camp practice.

Tristan Vukcevic is sidelined and is expected to be re-evalauted in now three weeks after the team announced his left hip impingement last week.