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How Double Big Lineups Can Unlock the Wizards Defensively
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- How Double Big Lineups Can Unlock the Wizards Defensively
How Double Big Lineups Can Unlock the Wizards Defensively
(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
During three years of deconstruction, there were tons of nights where the Wizards felt like a team without an identity.
After the 2024 NBA Draft, the Wizards kept their focus on the individual development of young players. Alex Sarr, the second-overall pick, was given every opportunity from the get go. At times, it was probably easy to wonder if he was being left on an island to fend for himself.
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He practically was.
Not even six months ago, it'd be hard to imagine the Wizards forming an identity centered around a dynamic frontcourt. Flash forward to now, they've added an all-time great big in Anthony Davis and a former number one overall pick in Deandre Ayton.
Now, it's clear a dramatic change is on the horizon for the Wizards, as they'll embrace a lineup they've rarely run over the last few years with multiple true big men on the floor.
When the Wizards had Marvin Bagley III on their roster, he and Sarr never saw the floor at the same time. There was only one occasion where Sarr and Tristan Vukcevic shared the floor against Houston.
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Washington's defense often suffered with inadequate interior presence outside of Sarr. Playing multiple bigs at once is a whole new dynamic.
Sarr defended more shots at the rim than most in the league. Overall, he defended 17 shots per night and held his opponents to under 50% shooting. That's a massive workload for a player before he turns 21 years old.
Davis has been one of basketball's premier defenders for more than a decade. Across his career, Davis has earned five All-Defensive Team selections and remains one of the league's most versatile rim protectors. The big question will always be his health, but when he's on the floor, he takes massive amounts of weight off Sarr's shoulders.
At first glance, pairing Davis and Sarr seems unconventional in an NBA built around spacing and five-out offenses. But the league has quietly shown there is still room for dominant double-big combinations.
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Davis has seen his three-point shot decline over the last few seasons, but this could allow Sarr to have chances to stretch the floor while Davis or Ayton occupy the dunker spot. Sarr shot 33.3% from three last season, an over three percent improvement. If he upticks his numbers to around 35 or above, he could become a legitimate stretch option. Still, Sarr's development playing at the rim was encouraging, as he focused his shot diet on plenty of more looks right at the basket. For this reason, he had a large upswing in his efficiency, which still has some room for improvement.
Regardless of how the role for Sarr shifts, the moves to add Davis and Ayton signal they're ready to make life easier for him. Instead of asking Sarr to shoulder every difficult defensive assignment, Davis allows the former No. 2 overall pick to roam. Rather than wrestling with the league's strongest centers every possession, Sarr can utilize his mobility, recover from the weak side and create turnovers.
The Wizards reinforced a lot of these ideas with the additions they made to the coaching staff.
Earlier this offseason, the Wizards added veteran coach Steve Clifford as an adviser while bringing Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing onto head coach Brian Keefe's staff. Clifford has consistently coached elite defensive teams throughout his NBA career, while Ewing's reputation as one of basketball's greatest defensive centers makes him an ideal mentor for Sarr and Davis.
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This year, Washington can finally counter teams that have elite size in the Eastern Conference, including Cleveland, Orlando, Philadelphia, and others around the league. Not only have the Wizards added size, but also added flexibility. The roster booms with athletic talent 6-foot-8 or taller, giving them many different possible lineups to try and anchor the defense behind Trae Young.
Behind a new philosophy of playing multiple bigs at once, Washington hopes to transform its league-worst defense into one the more lethal paint defending teams. Defense will be crucial to Washington's success next season.
