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

[nate33]

I think McCollum starts, but I'm not so sure that Bub will start alongside him. I think it's going to be a training camp battle between Bub and Tre. I suspect Tre will actually win out, but maybe not until the first 10 or so games of the season have gone by.

Bub is the Zards current and future PG. Tre will be his eventual running mate at SG.

Tre is at his best off-the-ball, running to spots on the floor and getting open, especially from 3. He needs to look to shoot and not be worried about running the offense…that will be Bub’s job.

You can start CJ next to Bub because, unlike Poole, CJ doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Bub can run the offense, which he began to do well late last season when Poole was out.

CJ has played PG for two years in New Orleans. He can just as easily share the backcourt with Tre as he can with Bub.

[doclinkin]

With our need to tank and expressed focus on player development I would not be surprised to see CJ as a super sub off the bench.

Given that we will find reps and minutes for many young players I won’t be shocked to see entire 2nd line substitutions off the bench like hockey. In each line up they’d mix in a key veteran to keep things organized and professional.

I think Middleton has too much pride and given his injuries wants to prove he still has value so I expect he will start. His ejection from the Bucks stung, he’s used to winning wants to get back to playoff ball.

From various interviews looks to me like CJ though has many things waiting for him after basketball. Business and leadership opportunities. I can see him content to run the 2nd unit and destroy opposing back ups without feeling pressure to carry the team or steal the spotlight until another team offers a trade.

I expect generally they’ll try to keep 1-2 vets on the floor at a time. Salt them in, but play them steadily and regularly, instead of forcing them into starting just because they want them to look good for trade.

[DCZards]

I think McCollum starts, but I'm not so sure that Bub will start alongside him. I think it's going to be a training camp battle between Bub and Tre. I suspect Tre will actually win out, but maybe not until the first 10 or so games of the season have gone by.

Bub is the Zards current and future PG. Tre will be his eventual running mate at SG.

Tre is at his best off-the-ball, running to spots on the floor and getting open, especially from 3. He needs to look to shoot and not be worried about running the offense…that will be Bub’s job.

You can start CJ next to Bub because, unlike Poole, CJ doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Bub can run the offense, which he began to do well late last season when Poole was out.

CJ has played PG for two years in New Orleans. He can just as easily share the backcourt with Tre as he can with Bub.

CJ can absolutely share the backcourt with Tre...and he will. Never said that CJ and Tre would not be playing together. I just think that Bub will be the Zards floor general and primary starter at PG. That's the role that I think the FO and coaching staff want to see him in.

[nate33]

Bub is the Zards current and future PG. Tre will be his eventual running mate at SG.

Tre is at his best off-the-ball, running to spots on the floor and getting open, especially from 3. He needs to look to shoot and not be worried about running the offense…that will be Bub’s job.

You can start CJ next to Bub because, unlike Poole, CJ doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Bub can run the offense, which he began to do well late last season when Poole was out.

CJ has played PG for two years in New Orleans. He can just as easily share the backcourt with Tre as he can with Bub.

CJ can absolutely share the backcourt with Tre...and he will. Never said that CJ and Tre would not be playing together. I just think that Bub will be the Zards floor general and primary starter at PG. That's the role that I think the FO and coaching staff want to see him in.

Tre Johnson was a top 5 talent in this draft and probably would have gone #1 in the draft last year. 20-win teams don’t bring talent like that off the bench.

[nate33]

With our need to tank and expressed focus on player development I would not be surprised to see CJ as a super sub off the bench.

From various interviews looks to me like CJ though has many things waiting for him after basketball. Business and leadership opportunities. I can see him content to run the 2nd unit and destroy opposing back ups without feeling pressure to carry the team or steal the spotlight until another team offers a trade.

Yup. This is a possibility too. I just think if one of CJ, Bub or Tre comes of the bench, it's not going to be Tre.

[dckingsfan]

With our need to tank and expressed focus on player development I would not be surprised to see CJ as a super sub off the bench.

From various interviews looks to me like CJ though has many things waiting for him after basketball. Business and leadership opportunities. I can see him content to run the 2nd unit and destroy opposing back ups without feeling pressure to carry the team or steal the spotlight until another team offers a trade.

Yup. This is a possibility too. I just think if one of CJ, Bub or Tre comes of the bench, it's not going to be Tre.

Yeah, too bad there isn't a betting line on that one

I will also bet that Sarr will start again

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I mean this roster is suddenly crazy deep!

If you break it down like this…

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Cam, Sarr

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk

AJ, Riley, Champagnie, Kyshawn, Tristan

Watkins, Dillon Jones


I mean look at the talent on that 3rd line!

That’s 17 deep (Watkins & Vukcevic on 2-way).

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I mean this roster is suddenly crazy deep!

If you break it down like this…

Bub, Tre, Bilal, Cam, Sarr

Smart, CJ, Kispert, Middleton, Olynyk

AJ, Riley, Champagnie, Kyshawn, Tristan

Watkins, Dillon Jones


I mean look at the talent on that 3rd line!

That’s 17 deep (Watkins & Vukcevic on 2-way).

Good break down. Makes it screamingly obvious that Kispert has to go. Kyshawn must be in the rotation. I think Champagnie should be as well.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

My rotation to start the season would probably be:

Bub, CJ, Bilal, Middleton, Sarr
Smart, Tre, Cam, Ky, Olynyk

Champagnie, AJ and Watkins get some selected minutes too.

Riley, Jones and Vuc in G league

[Dat2U]

G Carrington ... McCollum ... A. Johnson
G T. Johnson ... Smart ... Riley ... Watkins
F Coulibaly ... George ... Kispert ... D. Jones
F Middleton ... Whitmore ... Champagnie
C Sarr ... Olynyk ... Holmes ... Vukcevic

I think our top 10 our set until a trade is made although the starting PG & PF can be argued. Both Kispert & Champagnie are on the outside looking in. I assume Riley will get extended G-league run until a spot opens up.

I wonder what happens with the Holmes/Vukcevic situation for the 3rd C spot. I would like to keep Vuk for at least another season to see if he migitate some of his defensive concerns and NOT be the worst defensive C in the NBA (according to EPM).

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

We have 4 really high hoops IQ vets. Smart, Middleton, Olynyk, CJ. Two super high IQ young’uns - Kyshawn and Champanie. Three super high upside guys with, thus far, holes in their feel for the whole game - Tre, Cam and Bilal.

It’ll be interesting to see what combos Keefe rolls out to accomplish a few things simultaneously if possible:

1. Teach the young uns by playing next to smart old farts.
2. Don’t win too many games.
3. Pump up trade value for vets.

So, I think I’d mix and match a bit. I’d also play to win the in season tourney games. I’d be judicious with dnps.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

I get the feeling that Cam Whitmore will be automatically inserted into the starting lineup.

That worries me a bit…actually quite a bit.

Can’t imagine him being content with playing off the bench after his time in Houston.

[DCZards]

I get the feeling that Cam Whitmore will be automatically inserted into the starting lineup.

That worries me a bit…actually quite a bit.

Can’t imagine him being content with playing off the bench after his time in Houston.

I don’t see it that way. Cam likely knows he’s not entitled to a starting spot.

I believe what the young man wants is quality minutes and an opportunity to earn a starting job.

[doclinkin]

G Carrington ... McCollum ... A. Johnson
G T. Johnson ... Smart ... Riley ... Watkins
F Coulibaly ... George ... Kispert ... D. Jones
F Middleton ... Whitmore ... Champagnie
C Sarr ... Olynyk ... Holmes ... Vukcevic

I think our top 10 our set until a trade is made although the starting PG & PF can be argued. Both Kispert & Champagnie are on the outside looking in. I assume Riley will get extended G-league run until a spot opens up.

Close to how I have it.

I think Kispert plays in relief of Middleton, and instead of Smart or next to him. People know Smart’s value, but you want to try to rehab the image of Corey for trade. His offense should show well next to CJ or Olynyk since he’s a team ball type player not a guy who can create for himself.

Yes we will lose on defense with CJ Kispert and KO together. But. That’s the plan. You just want offensive highlights and counting stats to make a plausible trade.

[dckingsfan]

Watching all these predictions makes me think it is going to be like the middle of this years draft - we will know when we know other than Tre and Sarr (Bilal - high probability) are going to start.

[trast66]

Rumors Marcus Smart to be bought out. Not from any top tier reporter, but makes some sense as don’t see him being a trade candidate or playing much.

[Northwest Roddy]

I want Smart to stay. He can keep the yungins in line and teach perimeter defense.

Trade all the others at the deadline.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

We have 4 really high hoops IQ vets. Smart, Middleton, Olynyk, CJ. Two super high IQ young’uns - Kyshawn and Champanie. Three super high upside guys with, thus far, holes in their feel for the whole game - Tre, Cam and Bilal.

It’ll be interesting to see what combos Keefe rolls out to accomplish a few things simultaneously if possible:

1. Teach the young uns by playing next to smart old farts.
2. Don’t win too many games.
3. Pump up trade value for vets.

So, I think I’d mix and match a bit. I’d also play to win the in season tourney games. I’d be judicious with dnps.

I could see the starting lineup being something like Smart, CJ, Middleton, Cam, Sarr.

I can understand the motive of showcasing the vets to the rest of the league, as well as just establishing a culture and an hierarchy on the team as far as pecking order and earned respect of the vets with a mentor/apprentice relationship between the vets and rooks/youth. The vets establish the tone of how to play with intelligence and team ball and defense with Smart, CJ and Middleton leading the way. This would also benefit Cam and Sarr playing with them in a differential role of support and picking their spots in the framework of the offense led by Middleton and CJ and playing their part in the team defensive scheme led by Smart.

And from there work in the subs off the bench with Bub, Tre, Kyshawn, Bilal, JC, Kispert, Olynyck.

This is kind if what I'm expecting to start the year until some if not all of these vets are moved throughout the 1st half of the season up to the deadline. And I'm not too concerned about winning too much and blowing the tank, as these vets are good but none of them are superstar difference makers like a Jokic, Embid, LeBron, KD type, plus we're going to get killed on the boards nightly.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It is surely true that we spend too much time having takes about what might come of basketball decisions and not enough reaffirming the essential wisdom of Socrates.

Thanks.

I'm off to Google Socrates and the Socratic Method.

Who was he, and why was he considered wise?

While I'm at it, I'm going to look up Herodotas and Josephus.

Ed Wood, I feel so good about the direction the Wizards are heading in, I'm re-prioritizing my time learning the idea you introduced. I am an HBCU math major from PG County. i gather classical education curricula is taught in other schools.Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

Today,i learned:

Socrates --> Plato --> Aristotle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato

Along with his teacher Socrates, and his student Aristotle, Plato is a central figure in the history of Western philosophy. Plato's complete works are believed to have survived for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries.[1] Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages.[2] Through Neoplatonism, he also influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy

About the Socratic Method, I learned that Socrates was put on trial, basically for being too smart, objective and forward-thinking. He dared to deviate from conventional wisdom and to teach students his principles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method

Socrates (as depicted by Plato) generally applied his method of examination to concepts such as the virtues of piety, wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. Such an examination challenged the implicit moral beliefs of the interlocutors, bringing out inadequacies and inconsistencies in their beliefs, and usually resulting in aporia. In view of such inadequacies, Socrates himself professed ignorance. Socrates said that his awareness of his ignorance made him wiser than those who, though ignorant, still claimed knowledge. This claim was based on a reported Delphic oracular pronouncement that no man was wiser than Socrates. While this belief seems paradoxical at first glance, in fact it allowed Socrates to discover his own errors.

Socrates used this claim of wisdom as the basis of moral exhortation. He claimed that the chief goodness consists in the caring of the soul concerned with moral truth and moral understanding, that "wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and to the state", and that "life without examination [dialogue] is not worth living".[citation needed]

[AFM]

It is surely true that we spend too much time having takes about what might come of basketball decisions and not enough reaffirming the essential wisdom of Socrates.

Thanks.

I'm off to Google Socrates and the Socratic Method.

Who was he, and why was he considered wise?

While I'm at it, I'm going to look up Herodotas and Josephus.

Ed Wood, I feel so good about the direction the Wizards are heading in, I'm re-prioritizing my time learning the idea you introduced. I am an HBCU math major from PG County. i gather classical education curricula is taught in other schools.Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

Today,i learned:

Socrates --> Plato --> Aristotle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato

Along with his teacher Socrates, and his student Aristotle, Plato is a central figure in the history of Western philosophy. Plato's complete works are believed to have survived for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries.[1] Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages.[2] Through Neoplatonism, he also influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy

About the Socratic Method, I learned that Socrates was put on trial, basically for being too smart, objective and forward-thinking. He dared to deviate from conventional wisdom and to teach students his principles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method

Socrates (as depicted by Plato) generally applied his method of examination to concepts such as the virtues of piety, wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. Such an examination challenged the implicit moral beliefs of the interlocutors, bringing out inadequacies and inconsistencies in their beliefs, and usually resulting in aporia. In view of such inadequacies, Socrates himself professed ignorance. Socrates said that his awareness of his ignorance made him wiser than those who, though ignorant, still claimed knowledge. This claim was based on a reported Delphic oracular pronouncement that no man was wiser than Socrates. While this belief seems paradoxical at first glance, in fact it allowed Socrates to discover his own errors.

Socrates used this claim of wisdom as the basis of moral exhortation. He claimed that the chief goodness consists in the caring of the soul concerned with moral truth and moral understanding, that "wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and to the state", and that "life without examination [dialogue] is not worth living".[citation needed]

You should look up how he died, although you probably already have read it by now.