The Washington Wizards are set to tip off their 2019-20 regular season at the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday. Head coach Scott Brooks announced the Wizards’ starting lineup.
- PG – Ish Smith
- SG – Bradley Beal
- SF – Issac Bonga
- PF – Rui Hachimura
- C – Thomas Bryant
Bradley Beal, SG
The biggest name, of course, is two-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal. He recently signed a two-year extension worth $72 million to keep him in Washington for at least three more seasons.
Due to the Achilles injury to John Wall, and a disappointing campaign last season, the Wizards have hit the reset button and are in rebuild mode. Beal is said to be patient, but with the names on the roster and starting lineup, it may be a difficult year for Beal and the Wizards.
Rui Hachimura, PF
Rookie Rui Hachimura gets the start at power forward in his first career game. The Wizards selected him ninth overall in June’s draft, hoping he could be a part of a re-established core alongside Beal and hopefully Wall, when he returns healthy.
Hachimura has huge upside, and can stretch the floor with his handling abilities as well as his outside jumper. In his third and final year at Gonzaga, Hachimura shot an impressive 41.7% from three and 59.1% from the field. Yet, his development still has a ways to go before he may blossom into a star.
Thomas Bryant, C
Thomas Bryant is looking to improve on a strong first year with the Wizards last season. With a new contract in hand, the 22-year old is ready to assert himself as an integral part of the Wizards’ plan.
Last season, Bryant led the NBA shooting 68.5% from the field. He brings high energy on the offensive end. His looking to improve on the 20.8 minutes per game he averaged last season.
The Wizards certainly hope so, as he averaged 18.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes a season ago.
Ish Smith, PG
Ish Smith is the most seasoned and oldest player among the Wizards starting five. Smith gets the nod at point guard in large due to the thumb injury to Isaiah Thomas.
Smith played three seasons with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 9.8 points and 4.5 seasons in that time there. His best numbers come from the 2015-16 season when he started 50 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 14.7 points and seven assists.
Issac Bonga, SF
The surprise name is Issac Bonga, who will start at small forward. Bonga was a second-round pick in 2018-19 on behalf of the LA Lakers. His playing time was limited to 22 games and 5.5 minutes per game. He spent most of his rookie season in the G-League.
Bonga impressed in training camp and preseason, earning a starting spot in the wake of injuries to CJ Miles and Troy Brown Jr. The Wizards don’t have a strong starting lineup to throw out there.
