Brandon Scott here, the host of the daily Locked On Wizards podcast, with your daily Locked On Wizards newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wizards and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Some of this may look familiar — we got a little eager and sent today’s newsletter without the best part: the feature story.
Locked On Wizards
Is the Wizard’s backcourt of the future already set in stone, or should the Wizards capitalize in a shooting guard-rich draft?
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.
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Trade Speculation grows around the Wizards trading their $128 million star to the Lakers, which could reshape the team’s future strategy. (Sporting News)
Analysis The Wizards’ climb in ESPN’s power rankings shows their recent performance strides, indicating a promising season outlook. (Bullets Forever)
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Wizards podcasts.
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