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

[doclinkin]

Olynyk will have trade value

No

A player like Middleton isn’t going to teach and instruct. Pull you aside to give tips. He’s still fighting to keep his job as a starter. Prove he’s relevant for a contender to pick up. My read on a guy like Olynyk is that he may be looking to his next career on a coaching staff.

So now you're the NBA player whisperer? You can read into Olynyk and Middelton's psyche and determine that Middelton won't "teach and instruct" but Olynyk will?

Oh lord. This is based on interviews and observations. Both players have been in the league a long time. It’s not impossible to get a read in someone’s character. Demeanor. Interviews with Giannis reveal that Midd doesn’t really talk to Giannis despite the fact that that’s one of his best friends in the league. Olynyk is noted for working with teammates both in the NBA and the Canada NT. I recall reading articles on Yves Missi where KO was giving him tips. Here:

Watch on YouTube

Weird take that you’ve dug in on this one. That vets don’t help teammates improve. I get that you hate KO. Don’t want to have to cheer for him. But denying reality takes things a little far to the point of being pathological. Did KO impregnate your dog or something?

Or if you want to make it about me let’s bump the insults thread and have a shootout. It’s the offseason we can make it last all summer. Let’s have fun.

[payitforward]

C'mon guys....

Stop backing your protagonist into a corner.

[DCZards]

I'm not disputing Olynyk's ability to play a role for an NBA team. I just think >90% of the development and training an NBA player is going to get comes from skills coaches or players that the NBA player chooses themselves. Doesn't have to be (and in most cases isn't) a guy on the player's own team.

Yes, players learn from various players. But by sheer proximity, a young player is likely to learn more from a seasoned teammate than a player from another team.

[nate33]

The idea of "mentors" is hugely overrated on this board.

NBA players don't need "mentors" to teach them how to play basketball. Especially guys who were never anything more than an average NBA center!

You may be right that some of us here (myself included) are making too much of the mentor role that vets like Smart, CJ, Middleton and Kelly O. can play. But there is no doubt that youngins like Sarr, Tre, Bub, etc. can (and will) learn from being around solid, highly professional vets who can model, demonstrate and teach things—both on and off the court—that have helped them to have long and productive careers.

I’ve hated KO as well from his role in the Zards-Celts rivalry. But you gotta admit that the guy has scraped out quite a career for a player with limited athleticism and no elite bball skill. Someone like that clearly knows something about how to be a successful NBA player—and can teach Sarr and other Zards some of the techniques and tricks that has helped him along the way.

I used to discount the whole "veteran mentor" argument. I always figured it was good to have a few veterans who are simply good pros who can show youngsters how hard you have to practice and watch film, but I never really thought veteran players truly taught youngsters actual NBA moves.

I've changed my mind on that because of, of all people, Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma legitimately taught Deni Avdija that eurostep shoulder-bump floater move and Deni executes it exactly how Kyle used to. It really opened up Deni's slashing game.

[joshuacf]

Did KO impregnate your dog or something?

[doclinkin]

Watch on YouTube

[Ed Wood]

I suppose I need to be a more invested fan because until seeing the tenor of reactions to this deal I didn't remember we were supposed to dislike Olynyk and after seeing the hostility I kind of assumed he had done something more nefarious than play well against the team in the playoffs and commit a borderline flagrant 1 foul that led to a scuffle the likes of which are easy to come by especially in playoff-intensity play.

[joshuacf]

Watch on YouTube

[Ed Wood]

Right, well evidence is mounting to be sure. I think if there's more to be said about the villain it might merit a dedicated thread. As for Olynyk's fit on the team and his value in the rotation - conceptually I can see the offensive synergy that letting Sarr and Olynyk play off of each other and the pressure to respect defensive assignments would really unlock the driving threats the team doesn't obviously have (if Bilal can continue to improve in that regard he's actually the most obvious beneficiary). Defensively the combination seems, well, bad. More offensively solid veteran pieces who are also effective ball movers do seem like a reasonable way to create an environment into which the kids can grow their games. Older players who aren't likely to hold the ball at their expense but are also capable enough offensively that the kids don't suffer from being schemed at as aggressively will give them chances.

[doclinkin]

Exactly! That’s the kind of leadership I want to see Alex Sarr learn. We need more scrappy players willing to play dirty to win

If Alex can’t pick it up then maybe Kyshawn can.

Ultimately true or false I’m trying to will it into existence that our young players find ways to siphon skills from the incoming vets. CJ McCollum has an ideal game for guys like Bub and Tre and even Riley to learn from.

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Despite being thin in the frontcourt IMO, I do like the way the roster is shakin out.

I see a pretty clear top 5, as far as the main building blocks and priorities to develop individually and collectively.

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Kyshawn, Sarr


Then we have the experienced 2nd unit of vets & mentors to mix and match into the rotation to provide stability and support to the top 5.

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk


And then we have the 3rd string filling out the roster with upside to compete with the vets for playing time and providing depth for rest or injury, with the potential to play their way into bigger roles if they can force the issue and make it difficult to take them off the floor.

AJ, Riley, Dillon Jones/Watkins (2-way), Champagnie, Tristan

[AFM]

Read on Twitter

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Despite being thin in the frontcourt IMO, I do like the way the roster is shakin out.

I see a pretty clear top 5, as far as the main building blocks and priorities to develop individually and collectively.

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Kyshawn, Sarr


Then we have the experienced 2nd unit of vets & mentors to mix and match into the rotation to provide stability and support to the top 5.

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk


And then we have the 3rd string filling out the roster with upside to compete with the vets for playing time and providing depth for rest or injury, with the potential to play their way into bigger roles if they can force the issue and make it difficult to take them off the floor.

AJ, Riley, Dillon Jones/Watkins (2-way), Champagnie, Tristan

The vets&mentors would spank the starters at least 7 of 10 times.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Read on Twitter

I predict this isn't his last NBA stop. He's like Garrett Temple.

[leswizards]

Despite being thin in the frontcourt IMO, I do like the way the roster is shakin out.

I see a pretty clear top 5, as far as the main building blocks and priorities to develop individually and collectively.

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Kyshawn, Sarr


Then we have the experienced 2nd unit of vets & mentors to mix and match into the rotation to provide stability and support to the top 5.

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk


And then we have the 3rd string filling out the roster with upside to compete with the vets for playing time and providing depth for rest or injury, with the potential to play their way into bigger roles if they can force the issue and make it difficult to take them off the floor.

AJ, Riley, Dillon Jones/Watkins (2-way), Champagnie, Tristan

The vets&mentors would spank the starters at least 7 of 10 times.

Then the vet/mentors should be starting and getting the majority of the minutes, in order to drive up their trade value and so that the youngsters can learn a valuable lesson about the nba that it is long past time that they learn (ie, if you are not the best option to help the team win, you are going to find your ass pinned to the end of the bench).

[DCZards]

Despite being thin in the frontcourt IMO, I do like the way the roster is shakin out.

I see a pretty clear top 5, as far as the main building blocks and priorities to develop individually and collectively.

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Kyshawn, Sarr


Then we have the experienced 2nd unit of vets & mentors to mix and match into the rotation to provide stability and support to the top 5.

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk


And then we have the 3rd string filling out the roster with upside to compete with the vets for playing time and providing depth for rest or injury, with the potential to play their way into bigger roles if they can force the issue and make it difficult to take them off the floor.

AJ, Riley, Dillon Jones/Watkins (2-way), Champagnie, Tristan

The vets&mentors would spank the starters at least 7 of 10 times.

Then the vet/mentors should be starting and getting the majority of the minutes, in order to drive up their trade value and so that the youngsters can learn a valuable lesson about the nba that it is long past time that they learn (ie, if you are not the best option to help the team win, you are going to find your ass pinned to the end of the bench).

I disagree. The young players need reps and playing experience. That's the easiest way for them to get better.

Plus, GM's around the league know what vets like Smart, Middleton, and CJ look and play like. They just need to prove they're healthy.

[nate33]

The vets&mentors would spank the starters at least 7 of 10 times.

Then the vet/mentors should be starting and getting the majority of the minutes, in order to drive up their trade value and so that the youngsters can learn a valuable lesson about the nba that it is long past time that they learn (ie, if you are not the best option to help the team win, you are going to find your ass pinned to the end of the bench).

I disagree. The young players need reps and playing experience. That's the easiest way for them to get better.

Plus, GM's around the league know what vets like Smart, Middleton, and CJ look and play like. They just need to prove they're healthy.

Exactly.

If anything, play the vets off the bench so they can pad their stats and on/off ratings against second-string competition, which will boost their trade value while limiting their minutes and keeping them healthy for a trade.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/washington-wizards-starting-lineup-full-164404664.html

"With the recent trade that sent Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, the Wizards’ starting five now looks more like a “2017 All-Star reserves” lineup than the youthful rebuild many expected.

The projected starting lineup heading into the 2025–26 season is:

PG - Marcus Smart

SG - CJ McCollum

SF - Khris Middleton

PF - Kelly Olynyk

C - Alex Sarr

..."

[nate33]

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/washington-wizards-starting-lineup-full-164404664.html

"With the recent trade that sent Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, the Wizards’ starting five now looks more like a “2017 All-Star reserves” lineup than the youthful rebuild many expected.

The projected starting lineup heading into the 2025–26 season is:

PG - Marcus Smart

SG - CJ McCollum

SF - Khris Middleton

PF - Kelly Olynyk

C - Alex Sarr

..."

lol, there's no chance that all 4 of those vets start.

First of all, even if it was a pure meritocracy, Bilal is absolutely a better player than either Marcus Smart or Kelly Olynyk, so he definitely takes one of their spots. And secondly, we obviously care more about developing talent than riding old guys to a 30-win season, so that's going to be a factor in general. I think that will mean that Johnson or Carrington starts, if not both. Finally, Olynyk at age 34 can't be expected to log heavy minutes, so rather than start him at PF, he will come off the bench to play backup 5 when Sarr sits.

My guess is that the starting lineup will be this:

PG Carrington/McCollum*
SG Johnson/Smart
SF Coulibaly/Champagnie
PF Middleton/George
C Sarr/Olynyk
End of bench: AJ, Kispert*, Riley, Dillon Jones, Vukcevic

But it's possible that McCollum starts over Bub. And it's possible that Kispert stays ahead of Champagnie in the rotation until Kispert is eventually traded.

[joshuacf]

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/washington-wizards-starting-lineup-full-164404664.html

"With the recent trade that sent Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, the Wizards’ starting five now looks more like a “2017 All-Star reserves” lineup than the youthful rebuild many expected.

The projected starting lineup heading into the 2025–26 season is:

PG - Marcus Smart

SG - CJ McCollum

SF - Khris Middleton

PF - Kelly Olynyk

C - Alex Sarr

..."

lol, there's no chance that all 4 of those vets start.

First of all, even if it was a pure meritocracy, Bilal is absolutely a better player than either Marcus Smart or Kelly Olynyk, so he definitely takes one of their spots. And secondly, we obviously care more about developing talent than riding old guys to a 30-win season, so that's going to be a factor in general. I think that will mean that Johnson or Carrington starts, if not both. Finally, Olynyk at age 34 can't be expected to log heavy minutes, so rather than start him at PF, he will come off the bench to play backup 5 when Sarr sits.

My guess is that the starting lineup will be this:

PG Carrington/McCollum*
SG Johnson/Smart
SF Coulibaly/Champagnie
PF Middleton/George
C Sarr/Olynyk
End of bench: AJ, Kispert*, Riley, Dillon Jones, Vukcevic

But it's possible that McCollum starts over Bub. And it's possible that Kispert stays ahead of Champagnie in the rotation until Kispert is eventually traded.

McCollum is starting over Bub or Tre (for trade purposes) and Kispert should play over Champagnie. You'll never be able to move Kispert if he rides the pine.

Also, why not play Vukcevic over the caveman? We might as well throw him in the deep end and see if he can swim.