What is the future backcourt in DC? Are the pieces already here or are they still looking to add to the equation in the 2025 NBA Draft? I see two directions that the Wizards could go in and while both have their merits, like all businesses, it always comes down to money.
Option one is to invest in a backcourt of Jordan Poole and Bub Carrington. JP13 has emerged not only as an offensive headache for opposing defenses but he’s also shown elite playmaking and much-improved defense. Bub Carrington has huge upside as not only a shooting guard due to his ability to play off ball but also has potential floor general traits to run the point. Technically, Jordan Poole will be entering his prime right around the time the Wizards look to compete so they’ll hopefully have an All-Star-level player leading them into the future but again, it all comes down to money. After the 2026-2027 season, JP will be an unrestricted free agent if he hadn’t already signed an extension to stay in DC. if he does, that creates a problem, Bilal’s rookie extension. The Wizards could choose to pay both but then you have extensions of Sarr, Carrington, George, and whoever they pick in the next draft. It’ll come down to Poole vs Coulibaly and Bilal will get priority.
This leads to Option Two, putting Bilal at shooting guard and drafting Ace Bailey. If the Wizards get the number one overall pick, it’s Cooper Flagg time but assuming they don’t get that pick, they could pair Bub and Bilal in the same backcourt and draft Ace Bailey. That would create an awesome defensive, tall, and athletic lineup. Another option would be to draft Dylan Harper or VJ Edgecombe, keep Bilal at the wing, and create the next great Wizards backcourt. The point is that the Wizards have options, something that hasn’t been true in DC for a very long time.
