One player who could be moved is sophomore guard Bub Carrington. However, if a deal were to happen, could the second-year pro explode onto the scene like former Wizard Deni Avdija?
Could This Wizards Guard Hold A Similar Fate To Deni Avdija?
Carrington is in a much different position than Avdija was in Washington. The now Portland Trail Blazer was traded to maximize value after a career season during the 2023-24 campaign. For Carrington, his role is in question with the addition of Young and a potential top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The sophomore guard hasn’t had the jump in production that his fellow draftmates Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George have shown, while rookies seem to be standing out compared to Carrington. With this new era approaching quickly, should the front office make a move? More importantly, could it be looked back on as a mistake similar to the Avdija deal in 2024?
Carrington’s Inconsistent Production
The 2024-25 All-Rookie selection has shown real potential as a combo guard. However, his inconsistent nature makes it hard to highlight his scoring and playmaking abilities at times. His stats tell a rather confusing story when comparing his rookie year to this season. Carrington’s field goal percentage is down this season, but he’s shooting six percent better from beyond the arc while averaging the same 9.8 points per game. His assist total has inched up to 4.5, but he’s averaging over two turnovers a game. The guard’s numbers are all over the place, matching his play on the court.
Similar to third-year pro Bilal Coulibaly, Carrington’s numbers haven’t seen the sophomore jump that league fans have come to expect from lottery picks. The lack of any noticeable improvement outside of his three-point shooting is glaring, and his role could suffer massively as a result. If he can’t make that jump soon, the Wizards front office could face a dilemma: trade him and capitalize on his potential, or keep him and move him to a rotational usage player instead of his 25+ minute role.
Capitalize On Potential
Much like Avdija, Carrington would be traded for what he’s shown he could be. At times, the sophomore has shown flashes of a decent scoring option off the bench while being a versatile guard. His playmaking shouldn’t be ignored either, and it could entice teams to buy into a potential sixth man capable of running an offense consistently.
Avdija was moved before he hit his stride, and Washington should regret it deeply. Just two seasons post-trade, the forward is an All-Star and looks primed to become Portland’s next major talent. Now, a similar situation could arise with Carrington. Washington has been known to move on from unproven talent quickly without giving them a true chance. In turn, it’s made the rebuild exponentially longer. These players could’ve solidified the depth for the franchise’s next phase. Now they are putting up solid numbers across the league, leading teams to wins and becoming X-factors.
Several players spent time in D.C before being moved or left stranded. The most recent examples are Avdija and Ryan Rollins. Eventually, these players turn into contributing pieces or major factors to playoff-bound teams, leaving the Wizards with the short end of the stick multiple times over.
If Washington were to move on from Carrington, there’s a real chance he would become something elsewhere. He’s only 20 and has plenty of growing to do. Regardless of location, the guard will hit his stride. He could become a staple in the league; it’s all about giving the younger players time to learn and grow.
The Last Word
Wrapping up, would a Carrington trade make sense? It could. Washington has shown they are eager to compete and will surround their newfound duo with talent in order to do so. If they moved on from Carrington, would they come to regret it? That question would take time to answer. Avdija was far more polished than Carrington when his now-infamous deal took effect. Carrington’s picture wouldn’t take true shape nearly as quickly.
While his future is could be considered somewhat cloudy, questions are questions. Avdija’s trade no doubt is a regret the Wizards have, but Carrington’s could be looked at as a win-win if the package matches the potential.
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