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

[pcbothwel]

We have, amazingly, 12 guys on our roster from the last 3 draft classes: Bilal, Vuk, Cam, Martin, Sarr, Bub, Kyshaun, Ajay, Jones, Tre, Riley, & Watkins. Those guys plus Champagnie are the only ones I want to see this season.

McCollum, Middleton, Bagley, Kispert, Branham... I couldn't care less. They don't have to play at all as far as I'm concerned.

While the Cam & Middleton/AJ trade were good deals, I really think we are maxed out on ‘prospects’ at this point.

I hope any additional trades provide us with picks, not guys drafted in 23-25.

[nate33]

We have, amazingly, 12 guys on our roster from the last 3 draft classes: Bilal, Vuk, Cam, Martin, Sarr, Bub, Kyshaun, Ajay, Jones, Tre, Riley, & Watkins. Those guys plus Champagnie are the only ones I want to see this season.

McCollum, Middleton, Bagley, Kispert, Branham... I couldn't care less. They don't have to play at all as far as I'm concerned.

Of all of those young guys, the only one who has the handle and mindset to play PG is Bub. Bub can't play 48 minutes so I'm totally fine if McCollum gets some significant playing time to handle PG duties. But I agree with you on the rest of the vets. They don't need to play at all as far as I'm concerned.

Based on what we saw in Summer League, I'm not really all that interested in seeing that much of AJ or Dillon Jones either. Though if they play extremely well in garbage time, I'm okay with giving them some more burn if they earn it.

Over the first half of the season, I just want to see: Bub, Tre, Bilal, Cam, Champagnie, Kyshawn, Sarr and Vukcevic; plus a little of McCollum, Bagley and Middleton as necessary to provide leadership. Over the second half of the season, bench or trade the vets and let Riley, AJ and Watkins get some minutes too.

[payitforward]

Goes w/o saying that there are practicalities wch will result in vets getting floor time.

You're also right that our children's brigade doesn't include a "pure" PG prospect. Wd it be at all sensible, I wonder, to make a concerted effort to land Josh Giddey...?

[nate33]

Goes w/o saying that there are practicalities wch will result in vets getting floor time.

You're also right that our children's brigade doesn't include a "pure" PG prospect. Wd it be at all sensible, I wonder, to make a concerted effort to land Josh Giddey...?

I can't think of a trade that would interest Chicago unless it involved one of our developing wings going out (Bilal or Kyshawn). I'm assuming Cam is off the table because if Chicago wanted him (and if Cam wanted to play in Chicago) they probably would have made a bid when Houston was selling him.

The best case scenario is that Giddey decides to play for the qualifying offer and enter free agency next summer as an unrestricted free agent. We could just sign him outright then.

[joshuacf]

PIF is correct. McCollum is going to play and play a lot for as long as he's on the team. Even if you completely ignore the trade value angle, players of his caliber do not sit on the bench behind Bub Carrington's in the NBA. It just isn't how things work.

[nate33]

PIF is correct. McCollum is going to play and play a lot for as long as he's on the team. Even if you completely ignore the trade value angle, players of his caliber do not sit on the bench behind Bub Carrington's in the NBA. It just isn't how things work.

I'm not too worried about it. My guess is that Dawkins and McCollum have discussed the issue already and are basically on the same page, because Dawkins is an honest and straightforward negotiator.

Dawkins probably told McCollum that he would most likely start early in the season, but eventually, the team would shift to a player development focus, at which point, McCollum would be shopped in a trade. They have probably already agreed on what they would do if no trade materializes. Either McCollum will be bought out, or he has agreed to come off the bench over the second-half of the season.

[DCZards]

I'm on board with playing and featuring the youngsters, but I expect McCollum, Bagley, and Middleton to get quality minutes. I don't have a problem with that because I believe spending some time playing next to these vets can help--and not hinder--the development of the Zards first, second, and third year players.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm on board with playing and featuring the youngsters, but I expect McCollum, Bagley, and Middleton to get quality minutes. I don't have a problem with that because I believe spending some time playing next to these vets can help--and not hinder--the development of the Zards first, second, and third year players.

Right I expect CJ is essentially on the Valanciunas plan... Will start early, set the tone, educate by example for our Gs Bub & Tre especially as Jonas did with Sarr, then eventually start coming off the bench and/or is traded. Same for Middleton playing with the forwards especially Cam, Bilal, Kyshawn.

Kispert really seems like the odd man out. I just really don't see a place for him. He is just so bad defensively.

As far as the youth, IMO the rotation priorities are Sarr, Bub, Tre, Bilal, Cam, Kyshawn, Riley. I think I'd also like to see Champagnie, Watkins, and Tristan ahead of the rest of the bunch... AJ, Branham, D Jones.


Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham


So generally speaking, post-deadline I'd be looking for an ideal top 10 rotation of Sarr, Kyshawn, Bilal, Tre, Bub. Then top subs off the bench with Tristan, Cam, Champagnie, Watkins, Riley.

[doclinkin]

Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham


So generally speaking, post-deadline I'd be looking for an ideal top 10 rotation of Sarr, Kyshawn, Bilal, Tre, Bub. Then top subs off the bench with Tristan, Cam, Champagnie, Watkins, Riley.

Fair list order as of today.

I think Bub has a chance to climb the ladder, and as the only PG on this list will carry a larger role than Cam. Coach on the floor and emotional leader. His growth or lack will probably be a governor on the success of the team. Until the draft anyway.

I figure Tre will swiftly seize the top spot in billing and promotion, but agree that the development of Sarr is the most crucial to our long term success. He’s got the longest way to go to realize his considerable talent.

I think Bilal and Tre are the potential all stars of this talent pool. Tre simply by translating what he did in college to the NBA.

Whereas Bilal off talent alone may have the highest upside. Setting new stages for himself. New marks. New milestones. As a 2way player. Underrated star. With the potential to reach All defense or all-nba (3rd team?) if you credit the Kevin Broom youth/growth curve analysis.

Over time I think Riley has a chance to force his way into the conversation of most talented scorer on the team. But over time could mean 3 years.

Cam is going to score. He’ll be encouraged to go full throttle. If he’s benched it’s because he fails despite the green light. Inefficient or too inattentive on defense. Not because he lacks chances or touches. I’m curious if he and Bub develop chemistry that make them both look good. He’s the most likely candidate to fire up the crowd if he plays well. Him and AJJ.

AJJ really, I’ll live with him trying to learn to be a lead guard. Combo guard. He’s always going to be skinny. So guarding fast 1’s is probably the only place he sticks on defense. But he’s quick. Athletic. Fun to watch. He’ll give you ‘Popcorn’ minutes. Fun but you can’t live on a diet of popcorn.

Ultimately though I think this board and the analytics types are going to champion Kyshawn as the real hero of the squad. The glue. Indispensable to coaching staff. Frustrating to opponents on defense. +/- standout. The higher profile version of guys like Champagnie and Watkins. Role players who simply do the work of winning. KG as the starter version of a role player wing. 3&D plus playmaking.

We are going to struggle this year trying to blend all the youth. But there’s an interesting collection of talent. I think these young dawgs are going to have more fun than most rookie contract players. It’s basically a college team. Living out their dream in a fraternity of NBA talents. Nights when it works I think the joy will spread like wildfire. Fun for them and fun to watch.

[dobrojim]

Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham


So generally speaking, post-deadline I'd be looking for an ideal top 10 rotation of Sarr, Kyshawn, Bilal, Tre, Bub. Then top subs off the bench with Tristan, Cam, Champagnie, Watkins, Riley.

Fair list order as of today.

I think Bub has a chance to climb the ladder and as the only PG on this list will carry a larger role than Cam. Coach on the floor and emotional leader. His growth or lack will probably be a governor on the success of the team. Until the draft anyway.

I figure Tre will swiftly seize the top spot in billing and promotion, but agree that the development of Sarr is the most crucial to our long term success. He’s got the longest way to go to realize his considerable talent.

I think Bilal and Tre are the potential all stars of this talent pool. Tre simply by translating what he did in college to the NBA.

Whereas Bilal off talent alone may have the highest upside. Setting new stages for himself. New marks. New milestones. As a 2way player. Underrated star. With the potential to reach All defense or all-nba (3rd team?) if you credit the Kevin Broom youth/growth curve analysis.

Over time I think Riley has a chance to force his way into the conversation of most talented scorer on the team. But over time could mean 3 years.

Cam is going to score. He’ll be encouraged to go full throttle. If he’s benched it’s because he fails despite the green light. Inefficient or too inattentive on defense. Not because he lacks chances or touches. I’m curious if he and Bub develop chemistry that make them both look good. He’s the most likely candidate to fire up the crowd if he plays well. Him and AJJ.

AJJ really, I’ll live with him trying to learn to be a lead guard. Combo guard. He’s always going to be skinny. So guarding fast 1’s is probably the only place he sticks on defense. But he’s quick. Athletic. Fun to watch. He’ll give you ‘Popcorn’ minutes. Fun but you can’t live on a diet of popcorn.

Ultimately though I think this board and the analytics types are going to champion Kyshawn as the real hero of the squad. The glue. Indispensable to coaching staff. Frustrating to opponents on defense. +/- standout. The higher profile version of guys like Champagnie and Watkins. Role players who simply do the work of winning. KG as the starter version of a role player wing. 3&D plus playmaking.

We are going to struggle this year trying to blend all the youth. But there’s an interesting collection of talent. I think these young dawgs are going to have more fun than most rookie contract players. It’s basically a college team. Living out their dream in a fraternity of NBA talents. Nights when it works I think the joy will spread like wildfire. Fun for them and fun to watch.

If the list were sorted by 24-25 PPA, Champagnie would lead the list, IIRC, since I think only Poole had a higher PPA
last year among 24-25 players.

Given the career curve that TSW describes, and Champagnie greater age, it is likely to be only
a matter of 1-2 seasons before considerable reshuffling of that list happens. At least that is the
assumption that Dawkins/Winger etal appear to be operating under.

One wonders if Champagnie can continue to improve as if he were 2-3 years younger. Perhaps unlikely
but not impossible.

[popper]

I'm really enjoying watching this team being assembled and developed. Can't wait for post 26 draft when we select another high pick and the tanking is finished. Shifting from purposeful losing to building a winning culture can't come soon enough.

I hope I'm still vertical and above room temperature to witness it.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

PIF is correct. McCollum is going to play and play a lot for as long as he's on the team. Even if you completely ignore the trade value angle, players of his caliber do not sit on the bench behind Bub Carrington's in the NBA. It just isn't how things work.

PIF is correct. McCollum is going to play and play a lot for as long as he's on the team. Even if you completely ignore the trade value angle, players of his caliber do not sit on the bench behind Bub Carrington's in the NBA. It just isn't how things work.

I'm not too worried about it. My guess is that Dawkins and McCollum have discussed the issue already and are basically on the same page, because Dawkins is an honest and straightforward negotiator.

Dawkins probably told McCollum that he would most likely start early in the season, but eventually, the team would shift to a player development focus, at which point, McCollum would be shopped in a trade. They have probably already agreed on what they would do if no trade materializes. Either McCollum will be bought out, or he has agreed to come off the bench over the second-half of the season.

McCollum averaged 21.1 points / 3.8 rebounds / 4.1 assists this past season.

I don't think a player like McCollum should expect to be benched and ruined on the Wizards.

I guess the plan is to force CJM to arrive at the same conclusion Marcus Smart did. Buy his way out or suffer

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm really enjoying watching this team being assembled and developed. Can't wait for post 26 draft when we select another high pick and the tanking is finished. Shifting from purposeful losing to building a winning culture can't come soon enough.

I hope I'm still vertical and above room temperature to witness it.

I feel the same. I hope to see it.

i don't like the irony. "First you win, then you get good."

After the tanking, the team must transition into having a mediocre record. A record of 41-42 will become a high-water mark after years of tanking.

So, in 2028, we hope to be back where we were in 2017.

[TheBlackCzar]

I'm really enjoying watching this team being assembled and developed. Can't wait for post 26 draft when we select another high pick and the tanking is finished. Shifting from purposeful losing to building a winning culture can't come soon enough.

I hope I'm still vertical and above room temperature to witness it.

I feel the same. I hope to see it.

i don't like the irony. "First you win, then you get good."

After the tanking, the team must transition into having a mediocre record. A record of 41-42 will become a high-water mark after years of tanking.

So, in 2028, we hope to be back where we were in 2017.

The difference will be that the foundation being built will hopefully have us more like the Bullets with Webber and Juwan vs the Bulls, as oppose the Bradley Beal led barely floating franchise.... Same records but completely different trajectories....
And our talent accumulation should get better as theoretically players from year to year are going to continually improve.....
So that's where having so many additional picks, management that signs players preemptively and with vision, and talent development should all be colliding into a substantially different product than we've grown accustomed to since the 80's.....

We shall see, I'm excited to see it develop......

[doclinkin]

McCollum averaged 21.1 points / 3.8 rebounds / 4.1 assists this past season.

I don't think a player like McCollum should expect to be benched and ruined on the Wizards.

I guess the plan is to force CJM to arrive at the same conclusion Marcus Smart did. Buy his way out or suffer

No need. He’s an expiring contract and a productive player. Teams need both. We will play CJ until we can sell him. If we play too well we will emphasize development and bring him off the bench. But we are not dumping him for nothing.

Difference with Smart was there was no market for him. Nagging injuries and even at his best he was a defensive role player not a box score hero. CJ is a solid get for any team. Plus he will burn $30 mil off your books at the end of the year.

[doclinkin]

i don't like the irony. "First you win, then you get good."

After the tanking, the team must transition into having a mediocre record. A record of 41-42 will become a high-water mark after years of tanking.

So, in 2028, we hope to be back where we were in 2017.

We lack 3 things.

A true center, rebounding paint deterrent interior scorer type.

A franchise player. First option scorer. Two way star. Though Tre will make the case this year. Especially if his defense and playmaking step up.

And: Experience.

Centers still come cheap. Most bigs stay a few extra years in school nowadays. You get them coming out already trained seasoned fundamentally skilled. You can still get talented ones mid first round or later.

We’re looking for our no question 1A franchise talent in the next draft. Since that’s the only way to get one for free. And we don’t have the assets to buy one.

And okay yeah so the experience part takes patience. Time. Especially with all the babies on the roster. But once we have a core in place to build around, we can draft for fit. Draft box score heroes who already know how to play.

Or do the Rockets thing of drafting your young core then filling in with vets. Trading surplus talent for an established star.

One last year of intentional growing pains. After which we run with whomever puts in the work to seize the top spot. For now watch them as if they were your favorite college team who somehow won a chance to compete against NBAers. Getting their undergraduate degree in pro ball.

I think even with 13 guys on rookie deals we will see some surprisingly good play at times. Steal some wins. Just on energy and enthusiasm and not knowing any better. That much youth energy means they can play all out, if they get tired there’s someone up next.

Makes me wish you could sit in on practice. The 5-on-5’s of the young pups would be too much fun.

[payitforward]

Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham
....

This list drives me a little nuts.

To me it could not be more obvious that Justin Champagnie was our best player last year -- by a lot not a little! -- & one of the, say, top dozen 3's in the league.

It jumps out of the numbers, hence why would it not be obvious to everyone on this board, I wonder?

Of course, he'll have to do it 2 years in a row to establish himself; that's fair. All the same, he was substantially better than Sarr, Bilal, Kyshawn, Cam & Bub.

[doclinkin]

Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham
....

This list drives me a little nuts.

To me it could not be more obvious that Justin Champagnie was our best player last year -- by a lot not a little! -- & one of the, say, top dozen 3's in the league.

It jumps out of the numbers, hence why would it not be obvious to everyone on this board, I wonder?

Of course, he'll have to do it 2 years in a row to establish himself; that's fair. All the same, he was substantially better than Sarr, Bilal, Kyshawn, Cam & Bub.

JC is 2-4 years older than the players cited. With 4 years in the league. When evaluating the youth movement you’re projecting towards the future. Champ had the breakout year that you hope for in a player’s 3rd or 4th year. Whether it’s sustainable or a relic of a tank year, sure he has to establish that. He was a low usage role player on a losing team. Nobody was prepping to stop Champagnie.

But going forward, do you guess his performance going to be better than that of the age 23 versions of Sarr, Bilal, etc?

IOW How *up* is his upside. Can he maintain his stat breakout in an increased role. Does the evidence point to it?

It’s clear he played better as back up. In +/- JC was -12 as a starter this year. 8 points better against back ups. Played 31 games in each role.

If you scroll through his splits he played well against weak teams and suffered against playoff teams. Except Denver, who he played well against. This mirrored the team, so sure maybe the whole team dragged down his numbers. But you’d expect one of the top dozen SF’s would drag the numbers the other way. As Middleton consistently did. Especially when JC was often playing instead of Kuzma who was universally terrible as always. You’d think that would elevate his +/-

JC is a nice player who had a good year for us. If he maintains or improves on that then awesome. So far he’s been playing as an undersized front court player who shows out in a back up role. If you compare his production at the same age to that of the young pups of the list, you better appreciate the idea that their respective breakouts may have even better results. Though hey JC may keep pace and continue to improve by leaps and bounds. Even against starters and the scouting report. If so, we lucked out.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Leaving out the vets, Middleton, CJ, Kispert, Bagley, this would be my ranking of the youth movement of the team...

1. Sarr
2. Tre
3. Bilal
4. Kyshawn
5. Cam
6. Bub
7. Riley
8. Champagnie
9. Watkins
10. Tristan
11. AJ
12. D.Jones
13. Branham
....

This list drives me a little nuts.

To me it could not be more obvious that Justin Champagnie was our best player last year -- by a lot not a little! -- & one of the, say, top dozen 3's in the league.

It jumps out of the numbers, hence why would it not be obvious to everyone on this board, I wonder?

Of course, he'll have to do it 2 years in a row to establish himself; that's fair. All the same, he was substantially better than Sarr, Bilal, Kyshawn, Cam & Bub.

JC is 2-4 years older than the players cited. With 4 years in the league. When evaluating the youth movement you’re projecting towards the future. Champ had the breakout year that you hope for in a player’s 3rd or 4th year. Whether it’s sustainable or a relic of a tank year, sure he has to establish that. He was a low usage role player on a losing team. Nobody was prepping to stop Champagnie.

But going forward, do you guess his performance going to be better than that of the age 23 versions of Sarr, Bilal, etc?

IOW How *up* is his upside. Can he maintain his stat breakout in an increased role. Does the evidence point to it?

It’s clear he played better as back up. In +/- JC was -12 as a starter this year. 8 points better against back ups. Played 31 games in each role.

If you scroll through his splits he played well against weak teams and suffered against playoff teams. Except Denver, who he played well against. This mirrored the team, so sure maybe the whole team dragged down his numbers. But you’d expect one of the top dozen SF’s would drag the numbers the other way. As Middleton consistently did. Especially when JC was often playing instead of Kuzma who was universally terrible as always. You’d think that would elevate his +/-

JC is a nice player who had a good year for us. If he maintains or improves on that then awesome. So far he’s been playing as an undersized front court player who shows out in a back up role. If you compare his production at the same age to that of the young pups of the list, you better appreciate the idea that their respective breakouts may have even better results. Though hey JC may keep pace and continue to improve by leaps and bounds. Even against starters and the scouting report. If so, we lucked out.

Yeah I hear ya, I love Champagnie. I mean my original post in this thread was because I was trying to get JC into the top 8 rotation instead of AJ.

I think JC is very underrated in his role and his salary, and I bristle at people that want to throw him in to trades. I always want JC to play more than he does. That said I think that’s a fair place on the list when you look at the overall big picture and factor in potential. I mean, I really like Watkins, and see some Ron Artest in his game. And an argument could be made AJJ should be higher.

Bottom line, a player as good as Champagnie being that far down on the list should have us feeling pretty good about this team!

[Frichuela]

i don't like the irony. "First you win, then you get good."

After the tanking, the team must transition into having a mediocre record. A record of 41-42 will become a high-water mark after years of tanking.

So, in 2028, we hope to be back where we were in 2017.

We lack 3 things.

A true center, rebounding paint deterrent interior scorer type.

A franchise player. First option scorer. Two way star. Though Tre will make the case this year. Especially if his defense and playmaking step up.

And: Experience.

Centers still come cheap. Most bigs stay a few extra years in school nowadays. You get them coming out already trained seasoned fundamentally skilled. You can still get talented ones mid first round or later.

We’re looking for our no question 1A franchise talent in the next draft. Since that’s the only way to get one for free. And we don’t have the assets to buy one.

And okay yeah so the experience part takes patience. Time. Especially with all the babies on the roster. But once we have a core in place to build around, we can draft for fit. Draft box score heroes who already know how to play.

Or do the Rockets thing of drafting your young core then filling in with vets. Trading surplus talent for an established star.

One last year of intentional growing pains. After which we run with whomever puts in the work to seize the top spot. For now watch them as if they were your favorite college team who somehow won a chance to compete against NBAers. Getting their undergraduate degree in pro ball.

I think even with 13 guys on rookie deals we will see some surprisingly good play at times. Steal some wins. Just on energy and enthusiasm and not knowing any better. That much youth energy means they can play all out, if they get tired there’s someone up next.

Makes me wish you could sit in on practice. The 5-on-5’s of the young pups would be too much fun.

Agreed. And to fill both we have:

1) An upcoming 2026 loaded draft where we should have high odds for a top-4 pick (remember the Suns swap).
2) A decent free agent class, where we'll have $100 mn in cap space to target a top-end center such as Hartenstein (his team option with OKC is likely to be declined) or an all-star caliber PG (Fox, who is likely to move on given the drafting of Harper). Other options at center are Mitchell Robinson or the return of Porzingis. There are also veteran free agent PFs such as John Collins we could add for depth.

Elsewhere, we are loaded with a plethora of wings to play at the 2-4 position. Imagine the following line up for 2026-27:

Peterson (or Mikel Brown)/Bub
Tre/Will Riley
Bilal/Kyshawn
Cam/John Collins/Champ
Sarr/Hartenstein (or Mitchell Robinson).

And plenty of the $100 mn cap space still left.