2025-26 Lineup Thread -- How's it shakin out?

[penbeast0]

As we saw with Sarr last year, if this front office believes in player, they will start him despite dismal summer league and questionable play on both sides of the ball. This year, the showcase focuses on Tre Johnson, will he be force fed starts too? Nothing to lose really, we are probably tanking for development again.

Carrington/McCollum/Smart
Tre Johson/McCollum/AJ Johnson
Coulibaly/George/Kispert
Middleton/George/Champagnie
Sarr/Holmes/Vukevic or 2nd round pick

I don't see resigning Brogdon, bringing back Gill again with all the guaranteed veterans, or giving Riley, Vukevic, Colby Jones, or our 2nd rounder much time assuming health. I'd probably buy out Kelly O but we are a big thin there so maybe. I'd guess Riley goes to the Go Gos to get some playing time. We might showcase Smart for a trade, but not sure how much he has left that someone would want to trade for.

Unless someone plays their way into the rotation like Champagnie did last year, that's probably how it shakes out if they choose to force feed Tre or he forces himself into the lineup.

[Benjammin]

Killed on the boards, which is fine for the tank. It would be great if CJ or Kispert could be moved before the season starts and then hope Middleton or Smart nets something at the trade deadline.

[closg00]

I looked up our depth chart post-draft, this is what ESPN has, of-course this is theoretical
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/wsh

[NatP4]

I think it’ll be:

Carrington Smart
Tre McCollum
Bilal George
Middleton Champagnie
Sarr Olynyk

Kispert gets moved prior the season, Riley might start in the G-league with AJ, Vukcevic, and Colby Jones. In the 2nd half, 3/4 of Middleton, McCollum, Smart, and Olynyk will be gone and it’ll be:

Carrington AJ
Tre Riley
George
Bilal Champagnie
Sarr Vukcevic

The tank is on for Dybantsa/Peterson.

[nate33]

I think it’ll be:

Carrington Smart
Tre McCollum
Bilal George
Middleton Champagnie
Sarr Olynyk

Kispert gets moved prior the season, Riley might start in the G-league with AJ, Vukcevic, and Colby Jones. In the 2nd half, 3/4 of Middleton, McCollum, Smart, and Olynyk will be gone and it’ll be:

Carrington AJ
Tre Riley
George
Bilal Champagnie
Sarr Vukcevic

The tank is on for Dybantsa/Peterson.

Yeah, Middleton is too good not to start, unless they want to load manage him in preparation for a midseason trade.

It'll be interesting to see if both Smart and McCollum get regular minutes. There might only be room in the rotation for one of them if they're serious about developing all these young guys.

Honestly, it's probably a little early to be working this out. I really think they'll trade at least on of our expiring contract guys for a worse contract and a future pick. The only one of them that is kind of needed in the rotation is Olynyk.

[Dat2U]

How I view the roster atm:

G C.J. McCollum, Bub Carrington, A.J. Johnson
G Tre Johnson, Marcus Smart, Colby Jones
F Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, Will Riley
F Khris Middleton, Kyshawn George, Justin Chamagnie
C Alex Sarr, Kelly Olynyk

[prime1time]

Bub will start. Without him the offense won't flow. CJ isn't a pg.

PG: Bub
SG: CJ
F: Coulibaly
F: Middleton
C: Sarr

Rotation: Johnson, AJ, Smart, Kispert, Kyshawn Riley, Champagnie, Olynk

I do think it will be made clear to the vets that the goal is to develop the young players. So I expect guys like CJ, Middleton and Smart won't play as much as they are use to.

[NatP4]

This time next year we’ll be landing one of Dybantsa/Boozer/Peterson, no longer owe a 1st round pick, and have 100 million in cap space.

[closg00]

With our pick tonight, that will put us at the full 15, Jaylen Martin is the only player under contract as a two-way, that leaves open two spots there, would Tristan sign another two-way? I wonder if they let him walk.

[GoneShammGone]

Bub will start. Without him the offense won't flow. CJ isn't a pg.

PG: Bub
SG: CJ
F: Coulibaly
F: Middleton
C: Sarr

Rotation: Johnson, AJ, Smart, Kispert, Kyshawn Riley, Champagnie, Olynk

I do think it will be made clear to the vets that the goal is to develop the young players. So I expect guys like CJ, Middleton and Smart won't play as much as they are use to.

With his slight frame, I expect Riley will get time in the Gleague early. I think Corey is not long for the team. Tre should be able to do everything he does and more. Finally, with Richaun signed I feel like they will try hard to flip Olynk somewhere else, which would make it possible to keep Vuk.

[dckingsfan]

How I view the roster atm:

G C.J. McCollum, Bub Carrington, A.J. Johnson
G Tre Johnson, Marcus Smart, Colby Jones
F Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, Will Riley
F Khris Middleton, Kyshawn George, Justin Champagnie
C Alex Sarr, Kelly Olynyk, Tristan Vukcevic

I kind of see it this way as well. But... this coach and FO are in lockstep so... he could play the youngsters the majority of minutes and play the vets the backup minutes. Something like this:

G Bub Carrington, C.J. McCollum, A.J. Johnson (maybe lots of G League)
G Tre Johnson, Marcus Smart, Colby Jones (lots of G League)
F Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert, Will Riley (lots of G League)
F Justin Champagnie, Khris Middleton, Kyshawn George
C Alex Sarr, Kelly Olynyk, Tristan Vukcevic

But like Nate expressed earlier - it might be a bit early to tell. One thing - it does seem like they would take a big in the second round - who do you have left that should have been taken earlier?

One more point. With Sarr starting I think our defense will be woeful again. The question is will it be bad enough to be in the bottom 8? Especially if some jump us with ping pong balls? I think the vet starting lineup gets you to the mid-20s or high-20s, starting the youngsters, low-20s?

[nate33]

One more point. With Sarr starting I think our defense will be woeful again. The question is will it be bad enough to be in the bottom 8? Especially if some jump us with ping pong balls?

Yes. Who is worse than us besides Brooklyn and Utah? Maybe Phoenix, which is actually a good thing.

I would like to trade away Middleton quickly though. That guy's freakishly good on/off numbers may cost us some losses. I think we can keep McCollum and Smart without winning too much.

[penbeast0]

I think Richaun Holmes is in the mix though no one else seems to. Better than Kelly O to help teach toughness, pick setting, etc. though Olynyk gives more outside shooting.

[80sballboy]

McCollum and Middleton start as long as they are healthy and before they get (probably) dealt. Smart will probably be the sixth man because they want Bub to run the team.

G McCollum, Tre, Champagnie
G Bub, Smart, AJ Johnson, Brogdon (will be hurt)
F Bilal, Kispert (if he's kept), George, Riley
F Middleton,
C Saar, Olynk, Vukcevic or Holmes (doesn't matter)

[dobrojim]

^ it will be an interesting balancing act to play and showcase the vets to keep them happy
as we 'ethically tank' which shouldn't be that hard considering how many players LT/equal to 20 years old
we will be developing. One wonders if Mid and Smart will be happy with 15-20 minutes (or less) per game.
I want Mid and Smart to stick around as mentors until somewhere close to the trading deadline showcasing
their health. They might consider us as doing them a solid to trade them to a team fighting for the playoffs
before the deadline.

[nate33]

McCollum and Middleton start as long as they are healthy and before they get (probably) dealt. Smart will probably be the sixth man because they want Bub to run the team.

G McCollum, Tre, Champagnie
G Bub, Smart, AJ Johnson, Brogdon (will be hurt)
F Bilal, Kispert (if he's kept), George, Riley
F Middleton,
C Saar, Olynk, Vukcevic or Holmes (doesn't matter)

I'm not convinced McCollum starts because I don't think they want to bring either Bub or Tre off the bench. An 18-win team doesn't draft a guy at #6 to bring him off the bench. Maybe he'll come off the bench for the first 10 games or so, but it won't be for long.

It's different for Middleton because if he starts, he is only displacing the 24th pick in the draft (George) or an undrafted walk-on (Champagnie).

[prime1time]

Bub will start. Without him the offense won't flow. CJ isn't a pg.

PG: Bub
SG: CJ
F: Coulibaly
F: Middleton
C: Sarr

Rotation: Johnson, AJ, Smart, Kispert, Kyshawn Riley, Champagnie, Olynk

I do think it will be made clear to the vets that the goal is to develop the young players. So I expect guys like CJ, Middleton and Smart won't play as much as they are use to.

With his slight frame, I expect Riley will get time in the Gleague early. I think Corey is not long for the team. Tre should be able to do everything he does and more. Finally, with Richaun signed I feel like they will try hard to flip Olynk somewhere else, which would make it possible to keep Vuk.

I could see them keeping Kispert into the season simply because trading him now would be selling low. I haven't looked into Riley yet so I can't comment on him at all. It was an oversight not to add Vuk and Richaun. I don't see either as long term pieces though.

[doclinkin]

Honestly, it's probably a little early to be working this out. I really think they'll trade at least on of our expiring contract guys for a worse contract and a future pick.

Yeah this is nowhere near the final roster. They’ve made it clear there are other moves that will happen by July free agency. I’m wondering if any of them have to do with this years Draft picks even. But no matter what there will be further shuffling I expect. Turn the Pels deal into a 3 team or more.

[80sballboy]

McCollum and Middleton start as long as they are healthy and before they get (probably) dealt. Smart will probably be the sixth man because they want Bub to run the team.

G McCollum, Tre, Champagnie
G Bub, Smart, AJ Johnson, Brogdon (will be hurt)
F Bilal, Kispert (if he's kept), George, Riley
F Middleton,
C Saar, Olynk, Vukcevic or Holmes (doesn't matter)

I'm not convinced McCollum starts because I don't think they want to bring either Bub or Tre off the bench. An 18-win team doesn't draft a guy at #6 to bring him off the bench. Maybe he'll come off the bench for the first 10 games or so, but it won't be for long.

It's different for Middleton because if he starts, he is only displacing the 24th pick in the draft (George) or an undrafted walk-on (Champagnie).

We'll see but Tre has to be ready. He might start the 15th game or the 25th if he's ready. Yes, they want to lose, but they don't want him to get embarrassed and McCollum can help Bub by just being on the floor. Tre can watch him, Middleton and Smart and learn from them. Look, he's going to get minutes either way. And those veterans will be "oft-injured".

[NatP4]

Middleton is a great vet for Tre to learn from and model his game after.

Same for Carrington with McCollum. I hope they keep those two veterans until the trade deadline.

Smart and Kispert are the two I expect to be moved prior to the season.