The Wizards are leaning all the way into youth. So far, it is not subtle.
Washington rolled out the youngest starting lineup since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71, according to Elias. The average age of the five-man group was just 20.64 years old, with rookie Will Riley making his first career start alongside Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Bub Carrington.
This was not exactly by choice. The Wizards had seven players ruled out, including Khris Middleton, who had been listed as questionable a day earlier. Still, the visual was striking. A team in full rebuild mode putting a lineup on the floor that looks more like a college squad than an NBA rotation.
The Wizards entered their game in Charlotte at 10-33, a record that reflects the growing pains of a roster built around development. Help could eventually arrive in the form of Trae Young, though his availability remains uncertain as he rehabs a sprained right knee and bruised quadriceps.
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