Has Washington Found Their New Floor General?
After years of searching for stability at the point guard position, the Washington Wizards may have finally found their answer in rookie Bub Carrington. Selected 14th overall in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Carrington quickly turned heads with his poise, court vision, and scoring instincts during Summer League play. His standout performances—including a 32-point outing against the Magic and an 18-point, 11-assist game against Chicago—ignited real excitement among fans. It raised a compelling question: Has Washington finally found its next floor general? Let’s take a deeper look at what Carrington brings to the table and what his future with the Wizards might hold.
Carrington, a six-foot-four guard out of Pittsburgh, was one of three key draft picks made by the Wizards in 2025, alongside second overall pick Alex Sarr and 24th overall pick Kyshawn George. With that trio, it was clear the franchise was fully committing to a youth-focused rebuild. Among them, Carrington stood out for his polish, maturity, and readiness to contribute early. His six-foot-nine wingspan and solid physical tools helped him stand out physically, but what truly impressed scouts was his advanced feel for the game.
In his lone season at Pitt, Carrington displayed a calm and composed demeanor that set him apart from other freshman guards. At just 18 years old, he led the Panthers' offense with confidence, poise, and a strong sense of control. He earned a reputation as a high-IQ floor general with excellent passing instincts. His assist-to-turnover ratio of just under two reflected his ability to take care of the ball—an essential skill that carried over to the NBA.
Carrington’s rookie year in Washington came with the expected growing pains, but for a 19-year-old on a rebuilding team, there were plenty of bright spots. He consistently showed his ability to create for teammates, protect the ball, and knock down mid-range shots—a skill that’s become increasingly rare in today’s NBA. His assist-to-turnover numbers improved compared to his college season, a sign of his growth and adaptability. He averaged nearly ten points, four and a half assists, and four rebounds per game while playing all 82 contests. His durability and consistency earned him NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
Still, there are clear areas where Carrington needs to grow. While his size and wingspan are impressive, he lacks elite athleticism and explosiveness, which limits his ability to finish at the rim and contain quicker guards. He also struggled with efficiency, shooting just 40% from the field during his rookie campaign. Defensively, his lack of lateral quickness allowed faster guards to get past him too easily. These are key areas he’ll need to improve to elevate his game, especially amongst the competition at the guard position in Washington. Carrington finds himself on the floor with a core of promising young guys in Washington, such as Tre Johnson, who performed exceptionally in Summer League 2025, as well as Jamir Watkins.
Overall, the tools are there. Carrington has the size, intelligence, and foundational skills to become a long-term starter in the NBA. If he hopes to truly take over as the leader of this young Wizards squad, he’ll need to refine his scoring, tighten up his defense, and develop more physical explosiveness. The potential is clear—the question now is how far he’s willing to go to unlock it.
