Defensive Versatility or Growing Pains? How the Wizards Youth Impacts Their Schemes
The Washington Wizards enter the 2025–26 season with one of the youngest rosters in the league, and with youth comes both promise and unpredictability. On one hand, the team’s athleticism and length give them the tools to build a more versatile defensive identity than in years past. On the other hand, inexperience often leads to lapses in communication, missed rotations, and the type of mistakes that can undo even the best schemes. The question is whether this youthful core can turn its raw potential into a defensive strength, or if growing pains will continue to define their play on that end of the floor.
When you watch the Wizards play, the scheme that the front office built this roster upon is clear; they want a defensive-minded team, with wings boasting long wingspans and elite athleticism while also being able to stretch the floor on offense. Leading this frontcourt defensively are Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and Bilal Coulibaly. Each brings a unique strength—George with his switchability on the perimeter, Sarr with his rim protection and length in the paint, and Coulibaly with his relentless energy and instincts as a disruptor. Together, they form the backbone of a defensive identity Washington hopes to establish, giving the team a foundation it has lacked in recent years.
Each of these young players brings size, athleticism, and defensive potential, so why did Washington still rank near the bottom of the league defensively last season? A major reason was their lack of cohesion as a unit. While several players thrived individually, there was a noticeable absence of communication and an understanding of rotations needed to support one another. Kyshawn George, who posted some of the strongest defensive metrics among the young core, and Bilal Coulibaly, known for his lockdown ability, simply weren’t enough to hold opposing offenses in check. However, after the trade deadline, the acquisition of Marcus Smart did provide the team with a noticeable defensive lift.
Washington’s young core clearly has a defensive-minded identity, but their inexperience held them back. While Smart’s presence proved valuable down the stretch, the Wizards have since lost the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year. The hope is that his mentorship left a lasting impact, equipping the young players with the habits and intensity needed to take the next step. Over time, their defensive versatility should begin to shine, but for now, the growing pains are likely to continue as this group develops into the lockdown unit the front office envisions.
