With the Washington Wizards opening the preseason later tonight and the regular season in just over two weeks, it is important to take stock of where the roster stands at each position. Who is the starter, backup, and reserve players? What did they do last year and what should we expect this year.
Starter: John Wall
2016-17 Statistics: 23.1 points, 10.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 45.1 percent shooting, 32.7 percent three-point shooting in 36.4 minutes per game over 78 games.
For the last three seasons, Wall has been the definition of consistency in the Nation’s Capital by averaging a double-double and more of the same is likely this year. For the first time in his NBA career, Wall did not have to go through any rehab during the offseason and he put the extra time to good use by working on his stamina through boxing and cycling in addition to lifting and basketball workouts. Wall may have had a career year last season based on statistics, but he maintains that the work he has put in during his “career summer” will allow him the elevate his game even further in his eight NBA season. The rest of the league should be on notice.
Backup: Tim Frazier
2016-17 Statistics: 7.1 points, 5.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 40.3 percent shooting, 31.3 percent three-point shooting in 23.5 minutes per game over 65 games.
The woes of finding a capable backup behind Wall have been more than well documented. Washington is hoping the ‘dog’ in Frazier will be well worth the second round pick they traded to acquire him early in the offseason. Frazier is already fitting in with the other guards on the team, including Wall, Bradley Beal, Jodie Meeks, and Sheldon Mac, and there is a good chance that chemistry will translate on the court because of Frazier’s ‘little man’, competitive syndrome. Frazier will be able to move the ball up the floor quickly and is a pass first point guard like Wall. The 6-foot-1, 170 pounder obviously will not be able to replicate Wall’s running of the offense, but will do a good enough job that Wall only has to play 32 minutes per game.
Reserve: Tomas Satoransky
2016-17 Statistics: 2.7 points, 1.6 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 41.5 percent shooting, 24.3 percent three-point shooting in 12.6 minutes per game over 57 games.
Satoransky may see most of his minutes come out the wing position because Scott Brooks likes his versatility given his 6-foot-7 height and noticeable length, but he is the only other true point guard on the roster assuming veteran Donald Sloan is cut before the season begins. Satoransky has told me that the game is beginning to slow down for him after a somewhat rough transition from the international game last season and it has shown as he stood out during training camp in Richmond last week. Barring any injuries, Satoransky will see spot minutes in specific situations where Brooks needs a spark plug of energy and/or a defensive stop as a trio of himself with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ian Mahinmi would be legit.
Deep Reserve: Bradley Beal
Obviously most of Beal’s minutes will be coming at the two-guard position, but the shooter has been working on his ball handling extensively over the offseason and Brooks has even mentioned giving Beal some work running the offense. During training camp, especially with Frazier sitting out (Grade 1 groin strain), Beal was taking reps with Wall at the point guard position.