The Washington Wizards are a team to watch at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with three first round draft picks participating which isn’t a common circumstance for the Wizards.
As Wizards Summer League Coach Cody Toppert noted, opponents are trying to take their “lunch money” with all eyes on the team’s assortment of draft picks. After being on site for their first two games, here are our quick impressions of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George.
Alex Sarr’s offensive development will take time
As the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, the spotlight has automatically been shining on Alex Sarr. That’s the main reason the Wizards were a part of the featured game kicking off Summer League on Friday night against the Hawks. Everyone wanted to see firsthand No. 1 pick Zachary Risacher and Sarr. It took some time for Sarr to heat up but once he did, he showed off his defensive prowess and ability to make things happen offensively. He finished with 12 pts, 4 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Since the opening game, Sarr’s offense has taken a step back, but he has remained active defensively. He finished against the Houston Rockets with 8 pts, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His most alarming performance was on Tuesday vs. Portland where he did not score a field goal. Sarr’s stat line included 0 pts (15 field goal attempts), 3 assists, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
However, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins has made it clear that Sarr is a defensive guy and they expect his offense to come along in due time: “
It’s hard to judge the total package in Summer League so fans should not jump to conclusions. The more Sarr plays, the more comfortable he will become which is why the Wizards signed Jonas Valanciunas. This will allow Sarr to naturally come along in the NBA.
Bub Carrington is a blossoming superstar
At just 19 years old, Bub Carrington is commanding the floor at Summer League. His dominance may be the biggest surprise out of all three draft picks. Carrington has a confidence that is impressive to watch in person. He’s physical, vocal, and isn’t afraid to take chances. With two more games left in Summer League, he has stood out in each matchup thus far.
Carrington started off strong in the first game against Atlanta, draining an immediate 3-pointer on the game’s opening possession with his parents and grandparents watching from the stands. On the next possession, he drew a foul and made both free throws. He went on to finish with 19 pts, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists to help lead the Wizards to victory.
We asked Carrington what he took away from the game that he will carry forward in Summer League. He ended his response with “it’s only up from here.” That has proven to be true. He went on to score 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds against Houston, and 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds vs. Portland.
Carrington seems to be a blossoming superstar and that’s what the Wizards need on their roster.
Kyshawn George is showing slow and steady improvement
Kyshawn George doesn’t necessarily have the same command as Carrington nor are the expectations as huge as Sarr. However, George has been consistent with his contributions in each game. You can tell he is eager to learn and adjust. He can quickly identify where he needs to get better and seems committed to making changes.
For example, in the game against Houston, George had six turnovers. You could tell he was frustrated and George noted after the matchup that he “turned the ball over too much.” In the next game vs. Portland, he cleaned up those mistakes with only two turnovers.
Overall, he has finished each game with 7 points (vs. ATL), 14 points (vs. HOU), and 6 points (vs. POR). He may not be flashy but he is making necessary contributions and that’s what matters.
George is coming along slow and steady. But he is a player that the Wizards can be patient with. The reps he is getting at Summer League will only make him better.