Storyline No. 1: How will the Wizards’ young players support Bradley Beal?
Beal had arguably one of the best individual offensive seasons in the league last season, as he averaged 25.6 points, 5.5. assists, and 5 rebounds per game, along with averages of 47.5 percent field-goal and 80.8 percent free-throw shooting accuracy.
Withstanding the Wizards’ struggles last year, Beal embraced his role as a team leader and was a force for the league to reckon with during a season in which he came into his own.
With that written, Beal also averaged a career-high 36.9 minutes of playing time per game, arguably due to the lack of roster depth at the guard position and All-Star guard and backcourt partner John Wall’s untimely Achilles heel injury.
Uncertainty about how the Wizards’ young supporting cast will back up Beal is a burning question. Ish Smith, who will likely start at point guard, Bonga, and the undrafted trio of guards Robinson, Mathews, and Booth be able to meaningfully contribute at the 1-position? What will be the role of Schofield, who is capable of playing both guard and forward, in the rotation?
When it comes down to the Wizards’ depth at the forward position, how will Hachimura and Bertans compete for minutes at the 4-spot? Will Schofield, Miles, and Jones be able to contribute effectively as small forwards?
Perhaps most importantly, Thomas Bryant may be compelled to bear the burden at the center position, as Wagner continues to gain his footing in the league and French center Ian Mahinmi averaged 4.1 points per game last season.
A few players certainly need to rise to the occasion in 2019-2020 to take physical and mental pressure off of Beal. Ideally, the Wizards will do a good job with load management of Beal this year to avoid wear-and-tear and circumvent any possibility of another injury.
It’s significant to note that point guard Isaiah Thomas will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, following successful surgery to repair a ligament of his left thumb. Second-year small forward Troy Brown Jr. will also take one month to recover from a left calf strain, and Miles may miss the start of the regular season while recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot.
These developments make it even more important for the players who will start the season to step up substantially.