Washington Wizards starting lineups: Locks, fringe, potential break-ins

The potential break-ins

This group has a chance to earn a starting spot but might be better suited to the bench. If the Wizards are going to compete for the playoffs one of these guys will need to impress.

Deni Avdija – Wing/Forward

The Wizards’ top pick from the 2020 draft, Deni Avdija, was a pleasant surprise for the franchise at the 9th pick as he was expected to go in the top-five. The soon to be 20-year-old from Israel has the potential to be a two-way star at his peak but that won’t be for quite some time.

The problem for Avdija is that his two best skills right now, playmaking and ball-handling, are going to go to Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook this season. That doesn’t mean he won’t play with those two but it will limit his overall impact when he shares the court with them.

His avenue to a starting gig is if he can prove that he is a credible on-ball and team defender, which is a tall task for a first-year player. Avdija will be an important player for the Wizards this season and in the future but his current skill set doesn’t cover up for their starters’ weaknesses.

Moritz Wagner – Center

Moritz Wagner has a chance to break into the Wizards’ starting lineup because he provides a little bit of what Thomas Bryant and Robin Lopez excel at. He is a solid defensive player and his three-point shot has continued to improve which could make him a credible threat from distance.

Is he the defender that Lopez is or the shooter that Bryant is? Not likely, but he blends the two skills better than the other two which might make him a better starting option. Either way, the Wizards have a diverse set of frontcourt options that should see all three get chances to start.

Troy Brown Jr. – Wing

The Wizards lack a true 3-and-D stalwart this season but Troy Brown Jr. could rise to the occasion and secure this role by season’s end. The 21-year-old showed tremendous growth from his rookie to sophomore season last year.

His field-goal-percentage went from 41.5-percent to 43.9-percent, his three-point stroke improved from 31.9-percent to 34.1-percent, and his free-throw shooting jumped from 68.1-percent to 78.4-percent. This all bodes well for his future but the most critical aspect of his development will be on the defensive end.

The Wizards were abysmal defensively but Brown was one of the few decent defenders on the team. He won’t be confused with Tony Allen anytime soon, but if he can continue growing as a defender then he’ll be able to carve out a spot in the starting rotation.

The Washington Wizards likely won’t rush him into the starting lineup because of all they’ve invested into Deni Avdija and Rui Hachimura but there’s a route for him to break in by season’s end. The Wizards lack any true 3-and-D players which means they’ll likely look for one through trade, but they may not have to if Troy Brown Jr. has made the jump.