Washington Wizards 2025-26 Season Review: Tristan Vukcevic & Sharife Cooper

The beauty about being a non-contending team in the NBA is that you can develop and evaluate talent at a higher rate.

The Washington Wizards new front office regime has prioritized player development, seeing guys like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Will Riley all take tremendous leaps this previous season. 

As Washington was actively tanking to round out the 2025-26 NBA season, they saw a handful of surprise players compete at a high level. Those players being former second round selection Tristan Vukcevic, and two-way contract player Sharife Cooper. 

While Vukcevic and Cooper all had strong showings at some point this season, their spot on Washington's roster next season isn't set in stone. 

Vukcevic, a former second round draft pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, has a developed offensive skillset but lacks the defensive IQ and abilities to stick at center. However, his impressive shooting and touch around the rim makes him an intriguing front court spark off the bench. 

In 49 games played this past season, Vukcevic averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.1 APG on 48.0% FG and 34.7% 3PT. When given the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, Vukcevic always impressed on the offensive side of the ball. The stretch big would average 12.0 PPG on 46.5% FG and 40.0 3PT in 17.1 minutes per game in the month of March. 

There's no denying that Vukcevic can put the ball in hoop, but he has struggled to be a threat in the paint as a rebounder and defender. Standing at 7-foot but only 220 lbs, Vuk doesn't have the size to serve as the lone big on the court, even with his polished offensive game. 

Vukcevic is expected return to Washington next season after inking a new three year deal, where he could provide value as a floor spacer alongside Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis. 

One of the more followed storylines of Washington's uneventful season was the production of former top recruit Sharife Cooper.

Cooper, an undrafted rookie out of Auburn, signed a two-way contract with Washington for the 2025-26 season. Many expected Cooper to serve as a role player on Washington's G-League affiliate the Capital City Go-Go, but he instead served as a role player on Washington's main roster where he filled in on a depleted roster.

In 41 games played with Washington, Cooper averaged 8.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.0 APG on 51.4% FG and 38.2% 3PT while averaging 17.1 minutes a night. Cooper only started in one game, as he served to be a spark plug and playmaker off Washington's bench. 

Cooper showcased his ability to thrive as a ball handler and hit shots at a high clip, however he remains too undersized to carve out a role in Washington long-term. Could Cooper's career year help him get a shot elsewhere? 

While Vukcevic and Cooper played solid minutes in the tank, it remains unclear what their roles will be for sure next season. Will Vukcevic thrive alongside Davis? Could Cooper carve out a role as a bench guard?