The Washington Wizards have been having quite the tumultuous season, and fans are left grappling with their team's inconsistent performance as they grapple with the prospect of the NBA Draft. With the season dwindling down, the Wizards' struggles have been hard to watch; their young core, envisioned as the foundation for the team's future, has not performed as expected. But instead of clearly positioning themselves for the coveted No. 1 overall pick, the team has recently made a surprising push to win games, raising eyebrows and perhaps also raising fears among their loyal supporters.
Recent victories have shifted the narrative for the Wizards, putting them at risk of losing their chance to secure the top draft pick. The Utah Jazz, another team looking to rebuild, not only passed the Wizards but now seems to be positioning itself for the No. 1 overall pick. This scenario complicates things for many fans who were hoping for their team to land Duke superstar Cooper Flagg. If Utah manages to secure the top pick, it could lead Flagg to make the leap to the NBA, something many Wizards fans now see as a disappointing turn of events.
On the other hand, there's been some positive news out of Washington, particularly with the emergence of Alex Sarr, the Wizards' highly touted rookie. Selected second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sarr had struggled through the season's early months, demonstrating both potential and pitfalls. Yet, during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 15, 2025, Sarr's performance painted the picture of what he could truly become.
Throwing down 34 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists, Sarr's outstanding performance signaled to fans what could be just the beginning. He also tied his career-high with five assists, showcasing his ability to contribute beyond just points, and proved instrumental to his team's 126-123 win over the Nuggets, who boast of multiple MVP Nikola Jokic. Jordan Poole played his part, sealing this unexpected victory with a late three-pointer.
This remarkable achievement marked Sarr's second milestone as he also posted great numbers earlier against the Detroit Pistons, scoring 19 points and recording four blocks. It's no small feat to show such performance against seasoned teams, and it seems like the Wizards may have found their feet.
Over the last nine games leading up to March 18, 2025, Sarr has averaged 16.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. His three-point shooting has been especially impressive, sitting at 37.7 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 made threes per game. With these stats rolling, Sarr has scored the fourth-most points among all rookies during this stretch, demonstrating his growth and readiness to compete.
Adding to his young legacy, Alex Sarr now holds the title of the youngest player in NBA history to record 60 made three-pointers, 300 rebounds, 105 assists, and 70 blocks at the start of his career. This impressive feat is stirring excitement among fans and providing hope amid the team's down season.
Despite the Wizards maintaining the league's worst record at 15-53, Sarr's recent performances have showcased unexpected shades of promise. Winning six out of their last ten games—and two straight, at the time—could signal the budding inception of something special, albeit at the cost of solidifying their position in the draft.
For many Wizards fans, watching their team trade victories for potential first-round draft picks has been agonizing. Yet, with Alex Sarr's feet finding solid ground, the hope is far from lost. The sheer unpredictability of the season has emboldened some fans. If Sarr continues along this growth path, he stands to be one of the impressive storylines to follow as both he and the franchise move forward.
