Wizards projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Washington Wizards starting small forward: Deni Avdija
The No. 9 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Deni Avdija’s career to date has been a bumpy ride. His role has fluctuated significantly year-to-year, often in alignment with Washington’s shifting priorities at various points in the regular season. The Beal and Porzingis trades basically affirm Washington’s commitment to youth and should, in turn, guarantee Avdija’s spot in the starting five.
He will be essential to the Wizards for a simple reason: he can defend. In fact, Avdija has transformed himself into one of the NBA’s best wing defenders. He’s 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, and highly intuitive. What Avdija lacks in traditionally elite athleticism, he makes up for with anticipation skills and good ol’ fashioned hard work. His ability to handle difficult matchups and get stops will go a long way toward making the Wizards semi-respectable some nights. Jones and Poole aren’t going to get many stops on the perimeter.
The offensive end will be just as interesting for Avdija. He has struggled to get the 3-point shot to a respectable place, but he’s otherwise the perfect modern forward. Avdija is comfortable handling the rock and he’s an advanced passer for his position, using his size to peer over the top of the defense and make quick reads. He works as a screener who can pass or score on the roll. He works as a secondary ball-handler and tempo-pusher in transition. Or, he can spot up, cut, and work the defense for simple finishes. The Wizards, who have few better options, would be wise to let Avdija explore the breadth of his skill set this season. It’s better to give him too many responsibilities now, while he can still learn and grow.
Avdija will be dot connector and occasional playmaker for Washington, as well as the team’s best defender. He’s about to receive a considerable reputation boost and the expanded opportunity could edge him closer to the player folks expected coming out of Maccabi Tel Aviv a few years ago.
Primary backup small forward: Corey Kispert
Corey Kispert is, for all intents and purposes, the sixth starter. One has to imagine he will close his share of games and consistently receive 25-plus minutes off the bench. He may not contend for Sixth Man of the Year due to the inevitable poor performance of the team around him, but Kispert is a genuine impact player who should thrive in the Wizards’ offensively diverse lineup.
The No. 15 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kispert entered the NBA with a simple mandate: shoot 3s and defend. He has absolutely delivered on his promise, assuming a similar role to the one he played at Gonzaga. He’s a polished off-ball weapon, constantly cutting and relocating to open space before burying his nightly barrage of 3s (42.4 percent on 5.2 attempts per game last season).
Kispert isn’t a great athlete but he’s strong with good positional size at 6-foot-7. He defends either wing position adequately and has some small-ball four utility. The Wizards have the potential to throw out lineups with a bunch of plus shooters. Poole, Shamet, and Kispert surrounded by a decent playmaker and a rim protector would give defenses a lot to worry about. It’s a fun possibility.